Grading and examination system of the TMJER Iaido school in Hungary
Grades of the Hungarian TMJER Iaido school are in accordance with the grading levels of the All Japan Kendo Federation (ZNKR), actually, they were created parallel to them. The current version of the grading system of the Hungarian TMJER Iaido school was verified and accepted by Iwata Hanshi, who signed it with his own “hanko” (stamp) on 20 March 2007, when the Hungarian MJER delegation visited him in Japan. This grading system was created in order to maintain the values of the Iwata branch of the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu of Tosa, not only in Hungary, but in other countries of Eastern Europe.
The next page table of the grading system of the Hungarian MJER school shows clearly the professional aim of the Hungarian Bucho: to fulfill the internatonal requirements, and at the same time to preserve and pass on the special values of the TMJER to the students. Except for the first two degrees for beginners, all MJER grades meet the well-known national (MKSz) or international (EKF, IKF) requirements, including the appropriate national and/or international examinations. Still, this is only the entrance examination to the MJER grade, a prerequisite of the latter. The real challenge is the MJER exam, when the candidate has to prove a good knowledge of koryu kata, also has to show in his body-use, movements and behaviour that he understands the origin and reason of the special techniques of the ryu-ha, and is able to apply them in every move.
In the rows of the first column, you can see the levels of the MJKK grading system. The second column contains the prerequisits to be fulfilled in order to get a permission to take the exam for the given level. The third column lists the syllabus taught to those students who have already passed the exam, and earned the given grade. The fourth column is about the requirements at the exam to be passed in order to reach the level in question. Finally, the last column shows the permissions given to the students at that level; their possibilities, tasks, and responsibilities as well.
The above table applies only for the first few years of learning MJER. Further grades are to be created according to the development of the Hungarian MJER community.
Grading system of SHNK
| SHNK grades | Prerequisites | Syllabus | Examination tasks | Permissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoshin-sha (Entry level) | – Opening/Closing Reiho – Shisei – Chudan no kamae – Ashi sabaki – Kirioros, Nukitsuke, O chiburui, Joko chiburui, Noto – Kihon 1 – Koryu Tachi geiko | -Bokuto | ||
| Sho-kyu (Beginner) | – At least 16 sessions – Teacher’s permission | — Use obi, hakama – Koryu mae (form) – Zen Ken Kihon – 6 Zen Ken gata | – Opening/Closing Reiho – Kihon 1 – Koryu tachi geiko – Essay on Iaido | – May use Iaido gi, Obi, Hakama, Saya-bokuto |
| Tsu-kyu (Intermediate) | – At least 24 sessions from sho-kyu and/or Teacher’s permission – Use Saya-Bokuto | – Safety precautions – Parts of the sword – 6 Zen Ken gata – 6 Koryu gata | – Preliminary exam: Koryu mae and 2 Zen Ken ju-waza – Essay in Iaido schools | – May use zekken – May use iai-to |
| Tsu-kyu-jo (Advanced Intermediate) | – At least 24 sessions from tsu-kyu – Teacher’s permission – Use iaito | – All Koryu Seiza no bu gata – Riai in kata | – Preliminary exam: 2 Koryu and 3 Zen Ken ju-waza | – May attend trial contest for the national iaido team – May assist the teacher in the dojo (from 1 dan) |
| Jo-kyu (Advanced) | – Hungarian MJER Bucho’s permission | – Methods of teaching – Koryu Tatehiza no bu gata – Metsuke, Ki Ken Tai Ichi, Jo ha kyu – Don’t use upper body | – Preliminary exam: 5 Koryu shitei waza | – May attend seminars for dojo leaders – Permission for study tour in Japan – May start own dojo |
SHNK Team
