Welcome to MWKF Promotions
The next testing opportunity will take place at:
2020 Detroit Open Taikai
Seaholm High School
2436 West Lincoln, Birmingham, MI 48009
Birmingham, Michigan
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Please note the test occurs the day prior to the tournament.
Registration due: January 18, 2020
Note: Your materials must be submitted by the date above. Your checks MUST be delivered on or by January 25, 2020. We cannot consider the postmark date, so please plan on sending your check by January 18, 2020.
Registration Details
| Time Line: | Building Door Open: | 8:30 a.m. for Detroit Kendo Seminar |
| Registration: | 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | |
| Warm up: | 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. | |
| All Examinee | Exam Training: | 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. |
| All Examiner | Examiner Meeting: | 3:15 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. |
| Line up: | 3:20 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | |
| Start Exam: | 3:30 p.m. | |
| End Exam: | 6:30 p.m. | |
| Out of Building: | 7:00 p.m. |
Please read the following thoroughly and click here to access promotion test registration. Please remember that promotion and event registration / payment are always separate. See event announcement for instructions and below for promotion test instructions.
1. You can find the standards of eligibility for examination here. Only applicants in bogu will be tested and you must include your AUSKF number in your application. Where applicable, the kata required will be Nihon Kendo Kata.
2. Please review examples of each test beforehand so you know what the test will be comprised of. Examples can be found below:
Testing for 2 kyu and below
- Kirikaeshi + the last one big men
- Men (2 times)
- Kote (2 times)
- Kote-men (2 times)
- No kata requirement
Testing for 1 kyu
- Kirikaeshi
- Shinai match (tachiai)
- Kata (only if the applicant passes the above steps 1 and 2)
- Kata tachi 1-3
Testing for 1 dan and above:
1. Shinai match (tachiai)
2. Kendo kata (only when the applicant passes the shiai match portion)
— 1 dan: Kata tachi 1- 5
— 2 dan: Kata tachi 1-7
— 3 and 4 dan: Kata tachi 1-7 & kodachi 1-3
3. If you have received a previous kendo rank, you must upload a copy of your last menjo to the AUSKF database at unitedstateskendo.com by the aforementioned application due date. Please click here for instructions on how to upload your menjo to the AUSKF database.
4. Your AUSKF dues must be current for the current year to be eligible to test. While in the database, please ensure that you are paid in full and if not, complete this payment. Please also make sure that your name in the database matches exactly to your application. Do not include middle name if there is no middle name in the database, etc. They must match exactly!
5. If you are testing for 1 kyu and above, you will need to submit an essay. The essay form can be found by clicking here. You can find the instructions for your essay here. Please make sure you submit the form filled out completely with your information and completed answer via email to mwkfpromotion@gmail.com. Please do not use the work of others as we maintain a database to detect plagiarism. Cite your sources accurately and completely. In addition, please answer the correct question based on the rank you will be testing for. If you do not use the correct form, the essay will not be accepted. The essay has the same due date as all other testing materials and requirements.
6. You must submit payment in the form of two checks. We can not accept money orders or online payments. Please send two separate checks with enough time to arrive by the due date. The postdate will not suffice for late arrivals. The first check is for your menjo and the second for your exam fee. Please keep in mind that the exam fee check is always cashed but a menjo check is only cashed upon successful passing of both shiai and kata portions.
Both checks should be payable to MWKF or Midwest Kendo Federation and mailed to MWKF treasurer: Ronan Remandaban, 388 Milford Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015
The amount for the menjo fee is as followed:
All kyu ages 17 and under on testing date – $20
All kyu age 18 and above on testing date – $30
1-Dan – $50
2-Dan – $60
3-Dan – $80
4-Dan – $100
The amount for the exam fee is as followed:
Kyu – $15
Dan – $30
7. If you are not a member of the MWKF, but are a member of the AUSKF from another federation, you are welcome to test with us. Please complete this form and submit to mwkfpromotion@gmail.com with your application materials.
8. If you have previously passed the shinai portion of a test and need to complete the kata portion, please send your kata voucher to mwkfpromotion@gmail.com with your application materials. You must complete the entire registration process including mailing out two separate checks, even if you are only going to complete the kata portions.
9. If you have a medical restriction that will impact your ability, please send your doctor restriction letter to mwkfpromotion@gmail.com with your application materials.
After all of these items have been completed, you will receive a confirmation email, letting you know you are approved to test. You may also receive a shorter email confirming receipt of each item, but please look for the final approval email. If there are any parts of your application that are incomplete or if you ineligible, you will receive an email as soon as possible during the review period. Feel free to email mwkfpromotion@gmail.com with any questions at any time. Please respond promptly to any emails we send to you.
This entire registration process is part of the promotion examination. Completeness of your application will be evaluated and included in the examiner’s evaluation form. Please read all instructions carefully and do not hesitate to ask any questions.
Thank you for your attention and assistance in this process. We wish everyone the best of luck in your promotion examination.
Hank Mizusawa
MWKF VP of Promotions
Promotions update
January 2, 2020
Dear all members of Midwest kendo federation,
Following the direction set forth by AUSKF, we will start conducting Bokuto-ni Yoru Kendo Kihonwaza Keikoho (BKKK) in 2 – 4 kyu shinsas starting April 1, 2020, with the first promotions test utilizing the new procedure and requirements being 2020 MWKF Summer Camp. This BKKK will be in addition to the existing shinsa requirements.
- BKKK 1-9 for 2 kyu test
- BKKK 1-6 for 3 kyu test
- BKKK 1-3 for 4 kyu test
The whole purpose is to integrate BKKK in regular kendo practice.
Again following the AUSKF’s direction, we will also amend the regulation for the following two points at the same timing:
- The highest rank that an individual can test for the first time shall be 2 kyu
- The minimum practice interval requirement between 2 kyu and 1 kyu is 3 months
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Sincerely,
Hank Mizusawa
Midwest Kendo Federation
