Testing

Kyū Level Testing

These are the tricks and method for taking the Kyū rank tests.

  1. Big cup – Ōzara (大皿)
  2. Small cup – Kozara (小皿)
  3. Middle cup – Chūzara (中皿)
  4. Candle – Rōsoku (ろうそく)
  5. Spike – Tomeken (とめけん)
  6. Airplane – Hikōki (飛行機)
  7. Swing in – Furiken (ふりけん)
  8. Around Japan – Nihon Isshū (日本一周)
  9. Around the world – Seikai Isshū (世界一周)
  10. Lighthouse – Tōdai (灯台)
  11. Moshikame – (もしかめ)
*At these levels Moshikame is OPTIONAL

Requirements:

  • The tests must be taken using an official JKA Kendama with either certified (Nintei) or recommended (Suishō) seal.
  • Only the certified JKA examiner may perform skill level examinations (tests).
  • Tricks must be performed in numerical order.
  • Each trick may be attempted up to 10 times but must be successfully performed at least the designated number of times shown in the table.
  • Must qualify at each Kyu level before eligible to take examination for the next higher Kyu level rank.
  • For ikkyu (highest Kyu level rank): (1) Successfully perform trick No.1 through trick No.10 the designated number of times shown in the table. (2) Perform Moshikame at least 50 times without failure at a rate of at least 135 times per minute. Two attempts allowed.

Key Points:

For the Kyu level, basic necessary tricks such as Big Cup, Spike, Airplane, Swing in and Lighthouse need to be learned. At this stage, we need to learn correct way to hold the Kendama and the body movement to perform the trick. If you master these basics, you will improve your Kendama skills quicker and your body movements will be.

Testing up to 5 Kyū

Junshodan Level Testing

These are the tricks and method for taking the Junshodan rank test.

Requirements:

  • The tests must be taken using an official JKA Kendama with either certified (Nintei) or recommended (Suishō) seal.
  • Only a certified JKA examiner may perform skill level examinations (tests).
  • Tricks must be performed in numerical order.
  • Trick No. 1 through No. 8 may be attempted up to 10 times each, but must be successfully performed at least the designated number of times shown in the table.
  • Perform Moshikame at least 100 times without failure at a rate of at least 135 times per minute. Only one attempt allowed.

Key Points:

The Junshodan level was added more recently, 1991, because the skill levels gap between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan was too wide. Many of the tricks at the Dan level use combination tricks which include Kyu level tricks. For example: Earth turn has elements of Swing in, Falling Down includes Lighthouse, and Jumping Stick starts with Airplane. Tricks like Slip on Stick (also called Slip-stick), Bird, and Slip Grip Special also require the same skill to pull the ball straight up without rotating it just like the trick Spike. If you are practicing for Junshodan you need to aim for consistency. By succeeding in mastery of basic skills you will be more prepared for the rigors of the more difficult Dan levels.