federations in Japan. 6th , 7th , and 8th dan are referred to as kodansha grades and awarded by the All Japan Kendo Federation or one of the three zones of FIK (the International Kendo Federation).
The kendo grading system has undergone a number of transformations. Originally there were 5 dan grades followed by the three shogo of Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. These are now supplementary to the dan-I system and are awarded by recommendation and examination respectively to 6th , 7th , and 8th dan.
Bowing
We bow when we enter and leave the dojo, at the beginning and end of each session, and to each partner at the beginning and end of each keiko. When we enter the dojo or bow to each other we should make a standing bow, keeping our back straight and arms by our side, bending from the waist. We bow to shomen and to our instructors at an angle of 30 degrees and to our opponents at an angle of 15 degrees. For zarei to start and conclude each session, we begin from the seiza position, placing both hands in front on the floor to form a triangle with the thumb and forefinger of each hand. We then place our forehead directly over the center of the triangle, ensuring that we keep a straight back and that we do not raise our bottom. You should breathe in in the upright position and slowly exhale through the mouth as you lower your torso.
When we bow we should remember that we are not only bowing to our opponent but to those who went before: those who taught us and those who taught them.
Seiza
Seiza may be initially uncomfortable but you get used to it. You should sit with your bottom in the triangle made by your feet. Big toes should be touching or overlapped. Knees should be about two fists distance apart, (together for women) and backs should be straight. Your head should be in a natural position with your chin down.
Mokuso
At the beginning and end of each session we should practice mokuso. We practice this in seiza position with eyes half closed and focussed on the floor about three feet (1 meter) in front of you. The back of one hand should be supported in the palm of the other. Which supports which, is open to debate, so it is basically a matter of choice.
This is a form of meditation to clear our minds before keiko. Mokuso is not full blown zazen, but a way to forget the concerns of the day and ready our minds for training. Some people concentrate on mental images such as the “dark side of the moon” or “looking beyond the mountain.” Others concentrate on correct breathing—breathing in quickly through the nose, holding the breath for as long as possible; trying to hold it down with the diaphragm; then breathing out slowly through the mouth.
I personally prefer this approach while thinking:
Shisei wo tadasu – Correct your posture
Kokyu wo tadasu – Correct your breathing
Kokoro wo tadasu – Correct your heart.
Sonkyo
Before each keiko we bow while holding the shinai in our left hand. Our arm should be fully extended downwards holding the shinai below the tsuba at a 45 degree angle. After the bow, we raise the shinai to hip height placing our thumb on the tsuba. This replicates holding the catch mechanism on a katana to stop it being drawn by an opponent.
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