Gradings
Any candidates wishing to grade overseas, please see this notice.
Kendo
Applicants Eligibility for Kendo
| Grade | Minimum Delay | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Kyu | about 50 hours | 12 years |
| 1st Dan | 3 Months or more after 1st Kyu | 14 years |
| 2nd Dan | 1 year or more after 1st Dan | |
| 3rd Dan | 2 years or more after 2nd Dan | |
| 4th Dan | 3 years or more after 3rd Dan | |
| 5th Dan | 4 years or more after 4th Dan | |
| 6th Dan | 5 years or more after 5th Dan | |
| 7th Dan | 6 years or more after 6th Dan | |
| 8th Dan | 10 years after 7th Dan | 46 years |
Examination Criteria
Kendo grading requirements follow the EKF guidelines and are summarised in the table below:
| Written Paper | Ikkyu, 1st-5th dan | |
|---|---|---|
| Ji-geiko | Ikkyu, All dan grades | |
| Kirikaeshi | Ikkyu, 1st-3rd dan | |
| Kata | Ikkyu | Tachi – ipponme to sanbonme (1-3) |
| 1st dan | Tachi – ipponme to gohonme (1-5) | |
| 2nd dan | Tachi – ipponme to nanahonme (1-7) | |
| 3rd dan and above | All 10 kendo kata | |
| Shinpan seminar | 1 seminar a year after passing nidan | |
Examiners Qualifications
| Dan Examined | Examiner Number | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Kyu | 3 @ 3rd Dan & above | Consent of min. 2 Examiners |
| 1st Dan | 5 @ 4th Dan & above | Consent of min. 3 Examiners |
| 2nd Dan | 5 @ 5th Dan & above | Consent of min. 3 Examiners |
| 3rd Dan | 5 @ 5th Dan & above | Consent of min. 3 Examiners |
| 4th Dan | 6 @ 6th Dan & above | Consent of min. 4 Examiners |
| 5th Dan | 6 @ 7th Dan & above | Consent of min. 4 Examiners |
| 6th Dan | 6 @ 7th Dan & above | Consent of min. 4 Examiners |
| 7th Dan | 6 @ 7th Dan & above | Consent of min. 4 Examiners |
Grading Fees
| Grade | Application | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Kyu | £10 | £20 |
| 1st Dan | £15 | £20 |
| 2nd Dan | £20 | £35 |
| 3rd Dan | £25 | £45 |
| 4th Dan | £30 | £55 |
| 5th Dan | £35 | £65 |
| 6th Dan | £40 | £75 |
| 7th Dan | £45 | £85 |
Kendo Grading application form
Iaido
Examination Criteria
| Grade being taken | Graded on |
|---|---|
| 1st Kyu | 5 Kata from Seitei Iaido free choice |
| 1st Dan | 5 Kata from Seitei Iaido free choice and paper |
| 2nd Dan | 5 Kata Shiite waza and paper |
| 3rd Dan | 5 Kata Shiite waza and paper |
| 4th Dan | 2 free choice Koryu 3 compulsory Seitei Iaido and paper or 1 free choice Koryu 4 compulsory Seitei Iaido and paper |
| 5th Dan | 2 free choice Koryu 3 compulsory Seitei Iaido and paper |
| 6th Dan | 2 Free choice Koryu 3 Compulsory Seitei Iaido and paper |
| 7th dan | 2 free choice Koryu 3 Compulsory Seitei Iaido and paper |
| 8th Dan | 7 Compulsory Seitei Iaido then if passed 7 free choice Koryu and thesis |
Passing Criteria
| Grade | Examiners Grade | Votes Needed to Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Kyu | 4th Dan and over | 2/3 or 3/5 |
| 1st Dan | 5th Dan and over | 3/5 |
| 2nd Dan | 5th Dan and over | 3/5 |
| 3rd Dan | 5th Dan and over | 3/5 |
| 4th Dan | 6th Dan and over | 5/7 |
| 5th Dan | 7th dan and over | 5/7 |
| 6th Dan | 7th Dan and over | 5/7 |
| 7th Dan | 8th Dan and over | 5/7 or 7/9 |
| 8th Dan | 8th Dan and over | 5/7 first exam 10/14 second exam |
Grading Fees
As for Kendo
Grading Policy
Jodo
Examination Criteria
| Grade being taken | Graded on |
|---|---|
| 1st Kyu | 1 to 5 |
| 1st Dan | 1 to 5 and paper |
| 2nd Dan | Seitei 2 to 6 and paper |
| 3rd Dan | Seitei 5 to 9 and paper |
| 4th Dan | One koryu 8 9 10 11 and paper |
| 5th Dan | Two koryu 10 11 12 and paper |
| 6th Dan | Three koryu 10 11 12 and paper |
Grading Policy
Passing Criteria
As for Iaido
Grading Fees
As for Kendo