Happy Thanksgiving

We hope you, and those for whom you are most thankful, have a memorable and happy Thanksgiving.

Vincent

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No class on 11/27, Thanksgiving Day

We will not have a practice on this coming Thursday, Nov. 27th, Thanksgiving. So, we will only have 3 classes left before the Dec. 6th shinsa. Please do your best to attend each class.

Keep warm, be healthy, and have a nice weekend.

Vincent

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AUSKF Kendo Promotional Exam Study Guide: Expections of Rank

http://auskf.org/docs/studyguide.htm

Kendo Promotional Exam Study Guide

Expectations of Rank

6th-kyu through 2nd-kyu:
can be awarded at the dojo level depending on the regional federation. Other federations formally test for these grades and some have age restrictions for children. 1st-kyu and above
are done through the formal examination process. While it is normal to have both adults and children testing for the same level of kyu there can be a great deal of difference in the basic skills between the adults and children. Most often the children have been doing Kendo much longer and have much better basics than the adults. However when the mental maturity of the adults is factored in this should not be a problem. An experienced examiner will understand this kind of situation and grade accordingly. (see attachments for skill guidelines used by some regionals)

1st-kyu requirements:
enter and leave the court properly, strike with ki-ken-tai-ichi, good energy and 1 or 2 yuko-datotsu.

Shodan:
same as above with nidan waza included. Nidan: demonstrate the use of shikake waza, harai waza, debana waza, hiki waza, and oji (oh-ji) waza. Obviously the occasion may not arise to use most of the mentioned waza, but the candidate should show better basics than the Shodan level and be able to use more advanced technique as above. The Kenshi at this level should not be obsessed with the use of waza but start to master the opportunity of attack. Cuts should have good vertical motion with the use of both hands and te-no-uchi.

Sandan:
Use seme and ken-sen to initiate attacks and have sharp waza. Particularly the use of oji type of waza should be incorporated in the candidates Kendo.

Yondan:
should display very solid Kendo and kamae, display mastery of a variety of techniques, yuko-datotsu, excellent footwork and posture. An attacking kamae full of spiritual energy should be displayed rather than a waiting kamae that reacts to the opponent.

Godan:
starting with the Godan examination the candidate must truly exhibit the use of seme and ken-sen to create the moment of attack. Often failure is caused by the candidate doing shiai style of keiko and trying to win points. One must demonstrate the control of the center, the opponents spirit, and mastery of the footwork and shinai. The Kendo must be logical without unnecessary strikes and actions. The strike is followed by zanshin that is true mental alertness.

Rokudan:
the same as Godan, but even more, the ri-ai must be demonstrated. Strong control of the center, efficient use of waza and footwork, mental control of the opponent and situation.

Nanadan:
all aspects of the previous ranks must be present and an essence of dignity that speaks to quality Kendo. This dignity shows both on and off the court in the persons life.

Kodansha Kendo is not only just winning a strong shiai, strong keiko or beating an opponent in the shinsa. You must express your Kendo with the correct kamae, strong ken-sen, reasonable ma-ai, smooth flowing footwork, body movement and a strong, smooth stroke in your strikes. This must be performed in one rhythm with sharp te-no-uchi.

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Results: 2nd Annual Baltimore-Annapolis Kendo Tournament

Congratulations to Andrew and Bruce!!! We are all very happy for you.

http://www.seuskf.org/B-A_Tournament_Results_2008.pdf
2nd Annual Baltimore-Annapolis Kendo Tournament
November 8, 2008
Final Results

Mudansha
1st Place Ryan Tatu (Shu Do Kan Dojo (PA))
2nd Place Andrew Zodda (Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo)
3rd Place Eric Test (Koryo Kendo Dojo)
3rd Place Jae Kwan Cha (Shodokan of USA (Washington, D.C.))

Women
1st Place Christine Eickhoff (Virginia Tech Kendo Club)
2nd Place Chiaki Lewis (Shu Do Kan Dojo)
3rd Place Marissa Vincenti (Triangle Kendo & Iaido)
3rd Place Hiromi Robinson (Northern Virginia Budokai)

Shodan/Nidan
1st Place Ueda Takehisa (Shidogakuin Washinkan)
2nd Place Brian Sherry (Northern Virginia Budokai)
3rd Place Yong-Eun Sung (Ken Zen Dojo)
3rd Place Sean Tseng (George Washington University Kendo Club)

Sandan and Above
1st Place Keun-Kab Song (Ken Zen Dojo)
2nd Place Summerlin Walker (Shidogakuin Washinkan)
3rd Place James Kim (Triangle Kendo & Iaido)
3rd Place Bruce Gingrich (Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo)

Team
1st Place Ken Zen Dojo "A"
2nd Place Virginia Tech Kendo Club "A"
3rd Place George Washington University Kendo Club
3rd Place Northern Virginia Budokai "A"

Kanto Sho
Young Kwon of Ken Zen Dojo

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Tournament practice on Thursday, 11/6

In order to help some of our newer members to prepare for their first tournament on 11/8 in Baltimore, we will have a tournament practice in class on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Bogu and shinai safety check session will be followed.

Vincent

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2008 EUSKF Kendo Shinsa (Promotion Test) Registration

Please see the following document for the details of EUSKF promotion exam on Saturday, December 6th, 2008.

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Photos: 2nd Anniversary Godo Keiko & Party (to be continued....)

Thank Sensei Rex Hung, Morris, and Jason who contribute these wonderful photos for the moments we enjoyed. Please let us know if you have more pictures in your personal cameras and are willing to share.

Please note: All the photos are reduced in size and pixels.

2008-10-04 KWK Kendo Dojo 2nd Anniversary Godo Keiko

2008-10-04 KWK Kendo Dojo 2nd Anniversary Party

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Thank you, Baltimore tournament & 2008 EUSKF Promotion Exam

First of all, thank you for attending Ken Wa Kan 2nd Anniversary Kendo Godo Keiko and Dinner Party last Saturday. It would not be a great success without your participation. All of you showed visiting senseis and kenshis your great kendo spirit and training!

Second.... Our next goal is Baltimore tournament that will be on November 8th, Saturday. Please cooperate with Jason and David when they need your assists for the application. Thank you.

Finally.....2008 EUSKF Kendo Promotion Exam will be hold at KyuDoKan, Scarsdale, NY on December 6th, Saturday. Normally, the exam starts around noon, and ends at 5 PM. This year, Godo Keiko (open practice) will be added at the end of the day. More details will be followed soon.

Vincent

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10/4 Timeline: 2nd Anniversary Kendo Keiko and Dinner Party

Ken Wa Kan 2nd Anniversary Kendo Keiko and Dinner Party is on Saturday, October 4th, 2008.

2:40 - Dojo doors open
3:10 - Anniversary open and pictures taking
3:15 - Iaido demonstration and introduction
3:45 - Kendo group warm up
4:00 - Kendo basis and kihon practice
4:30 - Kendo jigeiko
5:30 - End of Kendo joint practice
6:00 - Dojo doors close
6:30 - Dinner party at Zwei Asian Cuisine and Sushi bar

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Begins on Sept. 30th, Tuesday, classes start at 8:00 PM

Since September 30th, Tuesday, our classes will start at 8:00 PM and end at 9:30 PM.

This schedule will be good through this Fall, winter, and the next Spring.

Thank you for your attention!


Vincent

Kendo Lecture

Fairly recently I found Kenshi247.net, a fantastic kendo blog that discusses many of the more esoteric and philosophical ideas behind kendo. Some discuss the history of kendo, personal revelations, various events, and translations on thoughts from famous sensei.

This particular post was written by Fujii Minoru sensei, Shihan of the Hokkaido College Kendo Federation, during his visit to Kenshikan in Melbourne, Australia. Quite a long read and very detailed so read it over in sections to digest the material.

David

Ken Wa Kan 2nd Anniversary Party, Saturday 10/4/2008

Good morning, Ken Wa Kan,

This is an announcement that the 2nd Ken Wa Kan Anniversary party will be on October 4th, Saturday, 2008.

Please mark your calendars and try your best to join us.

3:00 PM~5:30 PM (at Dojo): Group pictures, Iaido demo, and Kendo jigeiko

6:30 PM~10:00 PM (at Restaurant): Dinner Party

More details regarding to the party will be announced on the end of next week.

Best,

Photos: AUSKF 2008 National Championship July 3-5 in Las Vegas, NV.

Note: Photos' right edge in the slideshows may be cut off due to big resolutions. For full frame pictures, please go to our album.

2008-07-02-05 AUSKF 2008 National Championship in Las Vegas

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Photos: Aug. 3rd, AEUSKF Tournament at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY

We thank Yuko, Jason and Mr. Hung provided us these wonderful pictures from the tournament day. Enjoy!

Note: Photos' right edge in the slideshows may be cut off due to the big resolutions. For full frame pictures, please go to our album.

2008-08-03 AEUSKF Tournament at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY

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Photos: July 26th Kelly's Summer Party

We thank Kelly and her family held such a wonderful summer party for all of our dojo members. We had a great time.

Here are photos from the party:)

2008-07-26 Part 1 Kelly’s Summer Party (Note: Photos' right edge in the slideshows may be cut off due to the big resolutions. For full frame pictures, please go to our album.)




2008-07-26 Part 2 Kelly’s Summer Party

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