General Theory and Observations by Sensei


  1. RESPECT and ETIQUETTE


  1. PURPOSE OF IAIDO


  1. FOCUS POINTS


  1. BREATHING


Grading and Judging


On Sunday afternoon at the Guelph seminar, the 6th Dan+ participants were called into a judging class with Kishimoto Sensei. Hanna was asked to help with translations, and a few lower ranked members were asked to be examples.


Basic (non-kata) Judging points were explained followed by a breakdown for specific ranks.


Grading Standards


Grading Tape/Line


Rank

Judging Points

1 Kyu

  • Level should be close to 1 Dan

  • Judged on Reiho, Dress code, and Basic technique

  • Dress code is a major deduction, but not a fail point (unlike all other ranks)

  • Challenger can make lots of small mistakes, but not large ones

  • Errors in reiho may be corrected by the judges (i.e. koiguchi is open during to-rei, starting walking with wrong foot)

  • Most 1 Kyu challengers should pass

1 Dan

  • Judging should be stricter than 1 Dan

  • Dress code MUST be correct from this rank onward

  • Etiquette MUST be correct from this rank onward

  • Technical points: Correct nukitsuke, kiritsuke, chiburi, and noto

    • Accuracy should be the focus, not speed or power (i.e. finishing positions of the tip)

    • Correct form is more important than good technique

2 and 3 Dan

  • There seems to be a large variance in skill between countries – some are stricter than others, some have longer time periods between eligibility to test.

  • Accuracy is even more important at this level. (i.e. Toes need to be aligned when sitting in seiza)

  • Challenger should have some idea of having an opponent (i.e. metsuke and timing should be evident) – doesn’t have to be good, just evident

  • Being weak is ok as long as waza is correct (i.e. proper grip)

  • For 3 Dan, overall technique should be stronger, smoother, and show a better understanding of opponent

4 and 5 Dan

  • Challenger should not be nervous and make nervous mistakes

  • Need ki-ken-tai-ichi and kihaku

  • General attitude and character is important

  • Technique should make sense as a budo


Review of Kata


The focus of this session was to recap the corrections/instructions we specifically received for each kata. We are not going over points that are written in the seitei manual. Several pointers (especially from Hatakenaka Sensei) mentioned “Too many people” – indicating general faults that everyone needs to fix; other points may be person or dojo specific and should be reviewed with your Sensei before attempting.


Variations in opinion are marked as “Points of Contention” and require clarifications or decisions from 6 Dan and above.


  1. GENERAL


  1. MAE


  1. USHIRO


  1. UKE-NAGASHI


  1. TSUKA-ATE


  1. KESA-GIRI


  1. MOROTE-TSUKI


  1. SANPO-GIRI


  1. GANMEN-ATE



  1. SOETE-TSUKI



  1. SHIHO-GIRI



  1. SOU-GIRI



  1. NUKI-UCHI