Value of Iaido Gradings
This post was original published in 2012 (part 1, part 2)
"Why do we grade?"
A question that always seems to crop up around this time. Some people enjoy challenging themselves. Other's feel it's unnecessary in a martial art. So let's check out some of the reasons I've encountered.
1. You test for the sake of testing
In the spirit of the martial way, one must continuously challenge one's own physical and mental abilities, as well as one's perceptions of the way things are, and should be.
I like this one, but with one caveat: While the experience of testing is the reason for testing itself, one should not forget that the goal of testing is to pass. One should strive for and want this outcome. For if there was no desire for a final result, then the test itself is meaningless.
2. You test to get instruction at the next level
When attending large seminars, or even being in a large class, the ratio of instructors to students makes personalized attention near impossible. To allow the appropriate knowledge to be passed on, the students are grouped by skill and understanding = rank.
I used to subscribe soley to this point of view, but from experience, have realized that it's really not a necessity. If one is dedicated and committed to progress, the instruction will come. For example, the best time for learning at the annual Guelph Iaido Seminar is on Monday. All participants are given free practice, while the visiting Sensei look on.
Sometimes they may practice on their own, and when they do, watch them! There's so much to learn from watching the elite do their thing.
When they're not busy, go up to them and ask them to watch you (that's what they're here for)!
3. You test because Sensei tells you to
When we were children, we did stuff our parents told us to do without question. We trusted that they knew what was in our best interests. Your Sensei's role in your martial arts development is extremely comparable. Both groups guide through experience. They understand what got them to where they are and are here to guide you to the same result.
So do what Sensei tells you and grade. Not, because they hold authority over you, but because you trust that they have your best interests in mind.
4. You test because you deserve the rank
This is a very touchy subject, so let me try to clarify the point. In my opinion, it is not one's place to claim they deserve anything.
Martial arts should be mirrored in your life, and vice versa. You go about your training and your daily duties trying to improve yourself, help out others, and chip away at all the various weaknesses in your body and character. The judging panel and your Sensei will determine whether or not you deserve the next rank.
Try this primer:
If your Sensei asks you to test, do not argue your worthiness. To do so would show arroganc (assuming you know better), or a lack of trust. The Sensei-Student relationship works both ways. By showing their trust in your ability to test, and pass, you should reciprocate. Showing trust in other people and your own abilities. That's how you build character.
If your Sensei asks you not to test, do not argue. Like any challenges in life, there is a right time and place. Perhaps the focus on grading points will interrupt your existing progress. Perhaps they feel a lack of success may affect your confidence. Understanding your own weaknesses and accepting them. That's how you build character.
5. Japanese Society
A friend and fellow Iaidoka, Mr. Shin (from New York) gave two of his opinions on grading in the comments of my last post. I very much respect both his ability and understanding of Iaido, so would like to include those here:
The martial arts -- in particular, Japanese martial arts -- grew out of a very hierarchical social structure. If you started learning with a group of peers, it's important that you "keep pace" with your peers in terms of grading, otherwise you can create awkward situations when former kohai become your sempai. Now, you can mitigate some of these awkward topsey turvey situations with grace and humility, but it's easier if the peer groups advance relatively together.
6. Responsibility
As you progress in grade, your responsibilities increase in the dojo. Avoiding gradings is in some ways shirking this responsibility. (The kind of thinking that goes: "Oh, I'm not interested in grading. I just want to practice," is ultimately, in this context, a very selfish approach.) A corollary to this is that as you progress in grade, you start to take on more teaching responsibilities -- and when you teach, you begin to understand things about your own practice that you hadn't thought about before. And the higher the rank of the student you have to teach, the deeper you have to go into your own practice.
7. Milestone indicator
The other day, Michael gave me another one, which was mirrored in a comment by Andy Watson Sensei from England:
Since a martial artist is always training to continuously be better, a static rank has very little meaning. The individual's performance of Iaido one day can be vastly different than the next. A first year 5 Dan Iaidoka will be vastly inferior to one that is about to challenge their 6 Dan exam. So what does the rank tell you about an individual? Right now, nothing. Look over the lifetime of one's training and it starts to have some meaning.
Where you have been? What have you learned? The specific criteria at each Dan level provides a glimpse of what should be focused on in a predefined arc of progression. The seniors that came before us discussed long and hard on these indicators of performance and understanding, so that we may achieve our potential that only the highest levels can perceive, and hopefully for us to surpass.
To ignore these indicators is to hinder our own progress in the arts.
So what are other reasons for grading the martial arts? I'd like to hear them.