Do All Candadates For An 8th Dan Test?

[sensei8]

No...imho, that parameter COULD BE the failing parameter because if the majority of examiners don't think that the said testing candidate isn't up to number 4, then that's a fail. Number 1 and 3 are a walk in the park compared to number 4. Getting a nod for Number 2 is no walk in the park either because it's not a give-me.

All I can tell you is that my Hachidan test was literally, for me, a week in hell...it was no walk in the park...not even close!!

[honoluludesktop]

Oops, I erred, and thought we were talking about going to Japan as a requirement. Yes number 4 is the tough nut to crack.

[sensei8]

It's all good. I was referring to the 8th Dan test in a general overview from all four corners of the globe. Not as an exactness, and not from only Japan/Okinawa.

However, I think that what happens in Japan/Okinawa should be used as a template in 6th/7th/8th Dan testings. My Soke and Dai-Soke were born, raised, trained, etc in Okinawa before they moved to the USA. Therefore, our testings within Shindokan are using a tweeked-up Okinawa template across the board.

Because of how my Soke and Dai-Soke were, I failed my Hachidan 3 times, and I failed my Kobudo Hachidan 2 times.

[bushido_man96]

In our organization, I don't think there are any physical testings after 6th dan. My current instructor is a 6th dan, so we'll see when he comes eligible.

I think the ATA has physical requirements through their 9th degree rank, along with other requirements.

[DWx]

I'm not 100% sure on the exact requirements but for us, past 7th dan its no longer a physical test. More on what you've done to further the style and further your understanding of the style. So could be scientific research into body mechanics or training methods or equipment etc. as applicable to the style or could be furthering it by spreading the style to a new country or area and teaching lots of people. Give me 20 yrs or so and I'll let you know what happens when my instructor gets his

[Dobbersky]

In My Ryu, everything above 4th Dan is time awarded so no tests involved. I know of other Ryu which are the same too

[Kodiak]

I'm not entirely sure what the upper dan tests would be like in my Kenpo organization. It's not curriculum though, 6th Dan and up is based on contributions to the art rather than skill as a fighter.

[sensei8]

While the betterment of any art is important, therefore, great, rank shouldn't be awarded for that reason alone. So, I asked just that of our Soke shortly thereafter that he had awarded our Kaicho, before he became our Dai-Soke, with his Kudan...a rank that has no tests.

Soke stood up...cleared his throat a time or two...with his hankerchief he wiped his brow, lips, and chin...looked to and fro over those assembled for this ceremony a few times...fixed his glance from time to time at no one in particular...adjusted his obi and gi...

"Because I said so!! In my heart and in my eyes, he's earned it with great distinction. That's all I have to say about that!" Then he sat down.

I felt smaller than an ant.

[honoluludesktop]

In a school where the founder is alive, grading, and knows the student well, it is not unlikely that the higher grades are untested in the conventional manner. In a large organization, published criteria would help to assure everyone that they have a fair chance to be graded. Even then, it is likely that some will feel passed up for some arbitrary reason.

[sensei8]

While the betterment of any art is important, therefore, great, rank shouldn't be awarded for that reason alone. So, I asked just that of our Soke shortly thereafter that he had awarded our Kaicho, before he became our Dai-Soke, with his Kudan...a rank that has no tests.

Soke stood up...cleared his throat a time or two...with his hankerchief he wiped his brow, lips, and chin...looked to and fro over those assembled for this ceremony a few times...fixed his glance from time to time at no one in particular...adjusted his obi and gi...

"Because I said so!! In my heart and in my eyes, he's earned it with great distinction. That's all I have to say about that!" Then he sat down.

I felt smaller than an ant.

Again, Kudan and Judan have NO tests whatsover in Shindokan!!