Gradings
This article is a guide to the BKA grading regulations, established in line with the IKF regulations for Dan/Kyu examinations. Gradings taken in all member countries should, as closely as possible, follow the pattern set out below.
*** Kendo Grading Changes – see here for news on Post Oct 2009 changes ***
You may also be interested in the following pages:
- Resources – contains grading application forms and links to related papers
- Grading Questions – Kendo
- Grading Questions – Iaido
- Grading Questions – Jodo
- Kendo Grading Requirements – article based on interviews with senior sensei on the standard of skill and knowledge required for each kendo grade
- Referee Experience Requirements – for Kendo San Dan & above
- Overseas Gradings – How to apply for permission to grade with an overseas organisation
Grading Procedures: Last Revised July 2009
- Recognised Grades
- Applicants Eligibility for Kendo
- Examination Method for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
- Examination Subjects: Kendo
- Kata” requirements for Kendo grading candidates
- Kendo Examiner’s Qualification, Required Number of Examiners and Eligibility Criteria for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
- Iaido Section
- Jodo Section
- Pass and Fail Criteria: Iaido & Jodo
- Grading Fees for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
1. Recognised Grades
The recognised grades for which examinations shall be taken are 1st Kyu (Ikkyu) up to and including 8th Dan (Hachidan). These shall be granted by the representative organisation according to their overall ability and shall be mutually recognised as being equivalent among member organisations.
N.B. The BKA does not recognise the grades for Kendo Iaido or Jodo given by other bodies for these arts in the U.K.
2. Applicants Eligibility for Kendo
The applicant shall be a registered member of an IKF member country/organisation. Note: – If taking a grading overseas then the permission of the BKA must be obtained in writing prior to going to the country where you wish to take your grading – see Overseas Gradings. Also overseas students wishing to take a grade in the UK must obtain similar permission from the head of their own national organisation.
The Applicant shall have the following periods of practice/grade:
| 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 |
Once you have satisfied the required time delay in years, your next grade can be taken in the same calendar month.
e.g. After 1st Dan on the 20th August in one year then you may take 2nd Dan any time after the 1st of August the following year, but if 1st Dan was taken on the 1st of September, then the applicant will not be eligible on August the 31st of the following year, but must wait until the next grading after 1st September.
Note: – If for some reason you feel that you have a case for permission to be granted to take a grading despite not keeping up regular membership then you must write to the Chairman, so that your case can be put before the EC. Please remember that the EC only meets four times a year and could mean that the meeting will come too late for your grading.
3. Examination Method for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
The host organisation shall provide the examiners. In cases where member countries lack the required number other member organisations may provide qualified examiners. In the case of European or World Championships then the examiners will be selected by the EKF/IKF respectively in conjunction with the host nation.
4. Examination Subjects: Kendo
| Grade being taken | Graded on |
| 1st Kyu | Kirikaeshi. Matches and Kata [Tachi 1st 3 forms] and Written Test |
| 1st Dan | Kirikaeshi. Matches and Kata [ Tachi 3 selected from the 1st 5 forms] and Written Test |
| 2nd Dan | Kirikaeshi. Matches and Kata [Tachi 1st 5 forms] and Written Test |
| 3rd Dan | Kirikaeshi. Matches and Kata [Tachi 7 forms] and Written Test |
| 4th Dan | Matches and Kata [Tachi 7 & Kodachi 3 forms] and Written Test |
| 5th Dan | Matches and Kata [Tachi 7 & Kodachi 3 forms] and Written Test |
| 6th Dan | Matches and Kata [Tachi 7 & Kodachi 3 forms] |
| 7th Dan | Matches Kata [ Tachi 7 & Kodachi 3 forms] |
(i) Note:-
If during the examination of Kata a recognised technical error is made by any candidate, the panel may at their discretion request for a further demonstration to be given, thus allowing the candidate one further attempt to correct the error. If any candidates realises that they or their respective partner have made an error, then they should indicate this to the panel by raising their hand, they will then be permitted one further attempt to correct the error. Compounding a technical error will result in the candidate failing the Kendo examination
5. Kata requirements for grading candidates
IKKYU:
To complete the first three kata forms without error to a level commensurate to that grade.
SHODAN:
To complete three of the first five kata forms without error, commensurate to that grade.
NIDAN:
To complete the first five kata forms without error, commensurate to that grade.
SANDAN:
To complete the first seven kata forms without error, commensurate to that grade.
YONDAN:
To complete all ten kata forms without error, commensurate to that grade
GODAN:
To complete all ten kata forms without error, commensurate to that grade
ROKUDAN:
To complete all ten kata forms without error, commensurate to that grade..
Further to this Notification the following concession will be made for all persons taking 1st Dan to 6th Dan [excluding 1st Kyu]: If on passing the Shinai section of their grading and then failing the Kata section, a further one off attempt at the Kata section will be permitted within 6 months after the date of the failed grading. Further attempts after these periods will not be permitted and an applicant will have to re-apply to take all of the sections [Keiko/ Kata and written paper] of the Kendo grading.
In all cases a further full BKA grading fee will be required
(iii) Note:-
The following is an announcement from the Kendo Bu of importance to all Kendoka grades 3rd Dan and above.
6. Kendo Examiner’s Qualification, Required Number of Examiners and Eligibility Criteria for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
Criteria for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
Kendo
| 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 |
7. Iaido Section
| 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 |
8. Jodo Section (Updated 5th Nov 2009)
| 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 | 7 or 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 |
When taking a Jodo grading you are allowed to choose your own partner.
Please ensure that you both register (so your partner knows your grading number) and that the person not being examined performs the Tachi side first.
9. Pass and Fail Criteria: Iaido & Jodo
| 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 |
The requirements for 8th dan and above shall be determined by each organisation and may vary between the disciplines.
10. BKA Grading Fees for Kendo, Iaido & Jodo
Fees for BKA grading are as follows (all prices are in £ sterling (GBP)).
| 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 |
A full current BKA membership must have been in place for six months before applying to take 1st kyu. If you have upgraded from Temporary Membership, the time spent as a temporary member does count towards this six months.
20/07/09 – NB THIS IS NOT NOW THE CASE – REVISED TEXT WILL BE INSERTED SHORTLY: For gradings abroad:- Application must be made to the President and from the 1st April 2006 an administration charge of £15 will be made for such applications up to and including 5th Dan.
All application fees are payable in advance.
Registration fees must be paid by successful applicants on the day of the grading, before collecting their menjo.
Applications for grading will not be taken on the day. Grading dates will be published periodically on the BKA website and by other means. Please consult for the dates and send in your application one calendar month before the date of the grading (2 months for Iai gradings) at the latest.
Your application form must include the following.
- Your name BKA number and date of birth.
- A photocopy of the menjo of your current grade (not applicable to 1st Kyu applicants).
- A cheque made payable to the BKA [numbered account] for the correct application fee only.
- Dojo Leaders signature
Please do not:- make cheques payable to the grading officer.
Include the registration fee.
Grading questions for Kendo will only be published on the website. Completed papers must be handed in on the day of the grading. Failure to do so will result in the grade not being awarded. Only when you are successful the following applies:-
You will need:
- Your BKA membership book
- Cash/Cheque to pay the registration fee which includes the cost of your menjo. You must pay the full amount on the day, if not the grade will not be awarded.
- Your yellow EKF card if you have one. You also need to collect a green EKF Registration form from the grading official; this in turn should be sent to the address on the form. (Not applicable for 1st kyu applicants).
NB These proceedures were last revised July 2009
