Photos: Ken Wa Kan Delaware's practice on January 21, 2009

First look!

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New Year's party at Yang sensei's place

I wish you have a great MLK day today!

Yang sensei from Princeton Kendo and Iaido Club is inviting all Ken Wa Kan members to his traditional New Year's party at his house on this Saturday at 6 PM. Please feel free to attend, and enjoy a good time with friends, senseis and kenshis.

Time & Date: 6:00 PM, January 24, 2009

Location: 21 Orchid Lane, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Phone: ( 856) 414-0940/ Cell: 856 313-2708

Vincent

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Videos: Practices on Jan. 6th, 2009

Kendo man:

Kakari geiko: Eric, Peter, David C., Andrew, Joe, Anthony, Mike L., Yuko, Steve's performances.

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Photos: New Year's Opening Class on January 8th, 2009

We thank Jason for his new camera to capture these great moments:) Enjoy!

2009-01-08 Ken Wa Kan Kendo Dojo New Year's Opening Class

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Ken Wa Kan Newark Delaware (New!)

Check out our new location: Ken Wa Kan Newark, Delaware

Delaware Kendo Club

http://udel.edu/stu-org/kendo/Home.html

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Kakari Geiko Videos and Holiday Pictures at our Dojo's last class of the year 2008

Dojo Holiday Puctures Slides Show:
2008-12-18 Merry Christmas: Official Last Class of the Year




Kakari-geiko (掛-稽古, かかり-げいこ): short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness and readiness to attack, as well as building spirit and stamina.

Here are 12 videos/students' "Kakari Geiko" in the following playlist. Enjoy!

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2008 EUSKF Shinsa Results, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

Results of Ken Wa Kan at the 2008 EUSKF Shinsa:

Ni Dan: Jason, David C.
Sho Dan: MaryEllen, Kelly
I Kyu: Andrew, Alex, and Mike L.
Ni Kyu: Rebecca, Joe, Anthony, and Yuko
Yon Kyu: Yu-Wen, Nicole
Go Kyu: Liz

Congratulations to everyone!

Also, I would like to thank you for your supports to Ken Wa Kan in the year of 2008! It's been such a wonderful year for our dojo. In 2008, we have been through many excellent Kendo events together- 1st Friendly Tournament, Yu Sensei's visit from Taiwan, demonstrations at several occasions, AUSKF Championship at Las Vegas, AEUSKF Tournament in New York, Baltimore Tournament, EUSKF Shinsa, visited other dojos, invited Senseis and kenshis to Ken Wa Kan, and of course, many happy hours like Yang sensei's New Year's party, Kelly's Holiday party, and our dojo's Anniversary party...etc.

Even though we have achieved some goals, there are a lot more to be pursued. I wish in this coming new year of 2009, we can work and train together to make Ken Wa Kan become a more cheerful and wonderful place and family for everyone to study the Art of Kendo!

Again, Thank You so much for your support and hard working! Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year of 2009!

Vincent

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Driving condition tonight

There is a "wintry mix of snow and sleet" alert in PA 19380/West Chester area from this afternoon 3 PM till tomorrow morning.

http://www.wunderground.com/US/PA/067.html#WIN

Please watch the driving condition in your area, give yourself extra time to travel, and always consider your safety first! I will keep an eye on this situation, and make any necessary announcement later. Please check your email again at 6:00 PM, and be aware of receiving any phone call or message from Jason or David.

Vincent

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Welcome visitors from Ken Zen Dojo NY/ NJ on Thursday, Dec. 11.

We welcome friends from Ken Zen, NY/NJ to visit Ken Wa Kan.

On Thursday, Dec. 11th, there will be Song Sensei, 5-dan, Son Sensei, 4-dan, Mr. Kim, 2-dan, and Mr. Kwon, 1-dan coming to our dojo.

Song sensei is the Individual Champion at 3-dan and above Division at Baltimore Tournament this year. These four kendokas were Ken Zen Team-A members who won the 1st Place at Team Division at the Tournament as well. Also, Mr. Kwon received the Kento Sho (the best spirit award) at the Tournament.

Please do your best to attend the class, meet new friends, and learn from visiting senseis and kenshis.

Vincent

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EUSKF Shinsa yesterday

The 2008 EUSKF Shinsa and Godo Keiko finished successfully yesterday. I would like to thank all our members' cooperation throughout the whole process, and the supports from our members' family at this biggest annual Kendo event in our Federation.

I believe you have learned and improved a lot during the preparation and after the test. I will let you know the shinsa results as soon as I have it.

Vincent

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Holiday-season Schedule

Thursday, December 18, 2008: Our dojo's official last class of the year. Please do your best to attend.

Dojo doors will still be opened for practices on Tuesdays of December 23 & 30, 2008, and January 6, 2009. Feel free to come if you need some exercises during the holidays:)

No class on Christmas Day, December 25, 2008, and New Year's Day, January 1, 2009.

Thursday, January 8, 2009: Ken Wa Kan New Year's Opening Class. Please be with us at this fresh start of the Year 2009.

Vincent

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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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