ikkyu

[damon]

I finally got ikkyu.  It was a little weird since I was probably twice as old as everyone else that was taking the test with me.  I don't think they were even sure what to do with me at first.  However, the teachers in my dojo have been very helpful.  One san-dan in particular made sure I got plenty of practice for the test as well as having the teachers watch and give advice.  The language barrier hasn't been too much of a problem yet.

The test over here consisted of just kiri-kaeshi and kakari-geiko.  I believe they are going to require a written component starting next season.  From what I gathered in preparing for the test, they wanted to see good technique and smooth motion in kiri-kaeshi and speed and assertiveness in the kakari-geiko.  And in both they wanted strong kiais and intensity.  At the end of the tests one of the sensei gave a short speech.  I am not sure what he said for the most part, but given as many times as he said "koe" (voice) it seems like the biggest problem the kids had in common was how quiet their their kiai were.  Of all the things my sensei told me to improve, the kiai was the one they cared about the most.

[Max]

Congratulations! 

[menkote]

Congrats!!!!