Shodan grading

[jack]

I am hoping to take my Shodan early in the new year. The Shodans that I train with that have told me that the kata I need is Bassai dai, unless I feel more adventurous, but it's my choice. Other organisations require different kata for Shodan, what does your organisation require ?

[RigsVille]

Bassai dai is the kata that Shodan's have to perform at our association, plus all previous kata's

Good luck with the grading Jack!

[AngelaG]

We have a choice between Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Hangetsu nd Kanku Dai.

[Aefibird]

We choose between Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Enpi and Hangetsu. Student's also have to perform as many previous kata as the examiner requires.

[andym]

You don't fancy the December grading then Jack?

I'll probably bash out Bassai Dai also.

[jack]

I don't really want to grade just yet, I'll probably wait until March ish next year, that'll also give me time to save the £100 or so for the grading. I must admit although I like Bassai Dai, if I have the choice I would choose a different kata, possibly Kanku Dai or Hangetsu, that's another reason to put off the grading

[AngelaG]

I have mentioned before that I have a training log. Here is one of the entries I wrote when deciding which kata to perform for my shodan grading.

The choice of kata for shodan are:
- Bassai Dai
- Kanku Dai
- Empi
- Jion
- Hangetsu

Hangetsu (Crescent Moon):
This is a strong, powerful kata that starts off packed full of dynamic tension. The speed at which the first techniques are performed mean that any mistakes are glaringly obvious. Not only that I feel that I’m not really built for dynamic tension, it actually makes me feel quite nauseous if I have to hold tension for any amount of time. This is probably not a good thing in the middle of a grading when nerves will be convincing my stomach I’m in a force 11 gale anyway. Also if my hands start shaking, as they well might, it will be on display for the whole world (or the portion of the world at my grading at least) to see. Not only that, I’m not prepared to take off my top even for my black belt grading :-P

Jion (Temple Grounds):
Not a bad kata for me. In fact Jion is the first shodan kata I picked up, after Bassai Dai. It’s a strong, powerful kata, with very definite movements. For a while I thought I would consider doing this kata in my grading. It’s still an option. The only bit I don’t like is the fussy fast arm changes in the middle; they seem out of place to me. I will work on this kata a bit more though – maybe it will all fit into place.

Empi (Flight of the Swallow):
Fast and whippy kata. Too fast and whippy for me. I would not currently do this kata justice, especially under pressure. I know the moves but I am definitely not confident enough to try this kata in my grading. Especially as it was my nemesis for a while. This kata eluded me for ages – I even picked up the massively long Kanku Dai a lot quicker than Empi. Plus the fact that I look like an idiot trying to gracefully get back up from the first move!!

Kanku Dai (To View the Sky – Major):
Probably my favourite kata to perform. To perform in the dojo at least. In a grading? It’s a possibility, but if (when?) asked to do it more than twice, full speed and power, I may well die! This kata is LOOOOONG! It’s a beast of a kata. It has everything! My fitness and stamina would have to be improved greatly for me to consider this. You never know though – maybe it’ll just come out of my mouth when asked for kata!


Bassai Dai (To Storm a Fortress – Major):

The kata I will have been studying the longest. It means that out of them all I am most likely to not forget any parts, I am most likely to remember the bunkai needed; I should know this kata inside and out! And you know what? It’s a nice kata! The fast bits are nice and whippy, the slow bits are a beautiful contrast. The kata drives from beginning to end. I think it’s easy to look powerful doing this kata. The most important part to remember is that the hips MUST be used. Without the hips this kata is nothing. I like this kata a lot. At the moment I am definitely leaning towards Bassai in my grading.

[jack]

Why would you take your Gi top off to perform Hangetsu ?

[RigsVille]

jack said:

Why would you take your Gi top off to perform Hangetsu ?

<running away mode on>

There's no reason why except Angela likes any excuse to take her top off - I've seen the pictures at KU

</running away mode on>

Hangetsu is a dynamic tension Kata and some examiners like to see the chest of the person performing the Kata so that it can be seen that the correct level of tension and breathing is used.

[AngelaG]

OI! Watch it Rigsville



Jack, as Rigsville has explained, in some dojo the performers would take off their tops to be able to see the tension in the muscles. I was just being flippant in my post though

[jack]

Thanks for that, I'll stick with kanku Dai or one of the others then.

[miffersy]

Hi,
In my club Jion, Enpi, Hangetsu and Kanku Dai are choices for 1st Kyu and the Student picks a Black Belt Kata for Shodan. I like to push my Students as much as possible