Shogo titles are divided into 3 grades: Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. These 3 grades are awarded to qualified candidates based on personal qualities. These qualities include personality, knowledge, entrepreneurship, concentration, contributions to leadership based on the new vision, and the extent to which the functions contribute to the development, and promotion of kendo, iaido, and jodo.
Requirements for attaining a Shogo title
- The candidate must be a member of the VKIJF or BKR
- Renshi
- The candidate must have held the rank of Rokudan for at least 2 years.
- The candidate must have participated in kendo, iaido, or jodo seminars and be competent to function as a shinpan.
- The candidate must submit a resumé detailing their achievements in the discipline of kendo, iaido, or jodo.
- The candidate must submit a dissertation with a subject free of choice, or the subject “The mindset of kendo, iaido, or jodo instruction” (1 A4 page minimum, 2 pages max)
- The candidate must be nominated by the president of the BKR or the VKIJF
- Kyoshi
- The candidate must have held the rank of Nanadan for at least 2 years.
- The candidate must have participated in kendo, iaido, or jodo seminars and be competent to function as a teacher.
- The candidate must submit a resumé detailing their achievements in the discipline of kendo, iaido, or jodo.
- The candidate must submit a dissertation with a subject free of choice (1 A4 page minimum, 2 pages max)
- The candidate must be nominated by the president of the BKR or the VKIJF
- Hanshi
- Currently not awarded by the All Belgium Kendo Federation
Procedure for applying to a Shogo title;
- Federation Approval:
- The candidate must first seek approval from their federation (VKIJF or BKR).
- This is done by submitting a dossier with the required documents:
- A curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant experience and achievements.
- A treatise (possibly a written exposition on a relevant subject).
- A clear indication of passing the last exam.
- The specific Shogo title for which the candidate is applying.
- Internal Decision by VKIJF/BKR:
- The member federation VKIJF or BKR internally assesses the candidate’s dossier.
- They decide whether to present the candidate to the ABKF examination committee.
- Transfer of Dossier to ABKF:
- If the VKIJF/BKR makes a positive decision, the candidate’s dossier is handed over to the ABKF secretary.
- Payment by the Candidate:
- The candidate must make the required payment to the ABKF.
- Payment details can be found on Gradings information
- Verification and Referral by ABKF:
- The ABKF verifies that the payment has been received.
- The dossier is then forwarded to the ABKF shogo committee.
- Assessment by the ABKF Shogo Committee:
- The ABKF shogo committee meets twice a year (May & November).
- They jointly decide on the awarding of the Shogo title to the candidate.
- Private Notification to the Candidate:
- The candidate is personally notified of the decision by the ABKF.
- Registration Fees and Diploma:
- If the candidate succeeds, they must pay the registration fees to the ABKF (Gradings information).
- Upon receipt of payment, the ABKF issues a diploma.
- The ABKF forwards the shogo information and registration fee to the EKF (European Kendo Federation).
- Key Points:
- The candidate must submit all required documents completely and correctly.
- The internal assessment by the VKIJF/BKR is a crucial step in the procedure.
- The ABKF Shogo committee has the final decision-making authority on the awarding of the Shogo title.
- Communication with the ABKF is through the secretary (secretary@abkf.be) and the shogo committee.
