DIA Report July 11th, 2015.
DIA Internal
19 Dan Examinations were organised in 2014, 7 for Kendo, 8 for Iaido and 4 for Jodo; 2015 has had 14 Dan Examinations (to mid-August),4 for Kendo, 6 for Iaido and 4 for Jodo. The discrepancy between Kendo and Iaido Dan Examinations particularly, is explained by Iaido frequently organising two panels at the same event, a “training panel” for the lower grades and a “senior panel” to administer the upper Dan examinations. The EKF must be informed of every grading two months before the event
(EKF 5.1. Every national examination is to be announced to the EKF at least two months in advance, and shall be published by the member country in the European Calendar; this method gives everyone in Europe the possibility to participate and 5.4. The information to the EKF must include the composition of the jury, keeping in mind the FIK Standard Guidelines, to give the EKF Technical Director the possibility to approve it, as decided in the Budapest GA in 2004 and the possible grades to be obtained).
On several occasions the system has failed when senior BKA Dan and Shogo holders have suddenly become “unavailable” for duty as examinees, despite having agreed to do so at least two months beforehand. Last minute changes to the published Grading Panel simply makes the BKA look inefficient and disorganised.It is in the interests of each Bu to inform the EKF of the proposed Grading Panel as far in advance as possible as no event can be reliably promoted until the Technical Director of the EKF has ratified the grading panel.
The EKF Rules for Dan Examinations are set out once again for the benefit of the three Bucho.
2.2. The examination jury is to be composed according to the FIK Standard Guidelines (examiner’s qualifications, the number of examiners required and the minimal quorum for approval
Dan examined: Examiner: Number: Criteria:
1- 4-Dan and over 5 Consent of min 3
2- 5-Dan and over 5 Consent of min 3
3- 5-Dan and over 5 Consent of min 3
4- 6-Dan and over 6 Consent of min 4
5- 7-Dan and over 6 Consent of min 4
6- 7-Dan and over 6 Consent of min 4
7- 7-Dan and over 6 Consent of min 4
The three Grading Officers, in general, have worked well and have gathered the information required for entry to the EKF database in an efficient manner. Problems have arisen when Bucho have appointed a temporary or local replacement for the appointed Grading Officer. The information gathered by temporary Grading Officers has often been incomplete, making far more work for the regular Grading Officer and myself by having to gather missing information retrospectively.
I would urge all Grading Officers to withhold passing across any menjo on the day of the grading itself until all paperwork is completed to their satisfaction, especially until the New Shodan forms are completed legibly.
2014 saw the first of the BKA administered Shogo, with the successful promotion of six Iaidoka to Kyoshi.
These have been accepted by the EKF, after payment of the EKF Registration fee by the BKA. At the same time all previously Shogo holders, Renshi and Kyoshi, had their Registration fees either paid by the BKA or previous payments refunded. BKA Shogo holders are now on a par with their European counterparts and regain seniority with regards Grading Panels and Referee duties in Europe.
However, it should not be thought though that the introduction of our own Shogo system went smoothly – rather it highlighted the damaging tensions and unhappy atmosphere that exists between N.C members and some Bucho.
In fact the ill-will generated by the BKA Shogo exercise makes me personally regret that the project was ever undertaken and particularly pleased to be leaving office at this time.
DIA and EKF
Once the grading is over the Grading Officer updates the pass on the BKA database and the DIA does the same on the EKF database. It is an anomaly of the EKF system that grades can only be added to an already complete list - in other words a Sandan pass cannot be added if Shodan and Nidan have not already been entered. This becomes a problem when an individual has graded abroad at any level.
In this event the EKF usually requires sight (jpg image by email) of that individual’s menjo from Japan, Korea, Canada etc. together with the date and place of that examination and, if possible, the name of the Head of Panel. In the case of foreign nationals grading in the UK, it is considered a politeness of the DIA to inform their home Association of the result. Similarly the DIA is usually informed of BKA members having graded abroad, he/she then updates the individual’s information on the EKF database and forwards the information to the relevant Grading Officer to do likewise on the BKA database. EKF organised gradings however, are entered directly by the EKF Vice President onto the EKF database and do not come under the remit of the DIA.
The time spent entering BKA grading passes onto the EKF database is so time consuming that I really urge the NC to consider allowing the relevant Grading Officers be given access, through their own sub-password, to the EKF database in order to update grading successes themselves as well as entering forthcoming gradings and grading panels .Basically that this aspect of the DIA role be split off and entrusted to the three Grading Officers. The Grading Officers however, might well take a view regarding significant extra work this entails?
The DIA is also entrusted with writing Letters of Eligibility for BKA Members wishing to grade abroad as well as occasionally writing letters allowing BKA Members to participate in seminars and competitions abroad. Entry to EKF organised Dan Examinations has, until now, been within the role of the DIA while on-line Registration to EIC, EJC and EKC has been the job of the respective Team Managers and Bucho between them.
DIA and FIK
The FIK, particularly through the work of Ms Okuura has been consistentlyefficient, sending information regularly and in good time for important events. I hope that I have passed on all information without delay to the relevant Bucho and the N.C. Applications for Grading in Japan, participation in the Kyoto Taikai, Japanese Renshi and Kendo Kyoshi applications and material relevant to the recent 16WKC has been handled effectively at the Japanese end at least.The FIK frequentlyaccesses the EKF database to check the grading status of an individual wishing to grade in Japan, making the regular upkeep of this information particularly important.
The DIA is also responsible for contacting the FIK whenever BKA gradings are to be organised which require the participation of Japanese sensei. Privately organised seminars with Japanese sensei do not require permission from the FIK and AJKF as long as no grading is involved. Nevertheless many Sensei feel far happier if they receive a formal acknowledgement from the BKA that their visit is “approved”, this covers them against accusations in Japan of “empire building in Europe”as well as smoothing their entry to the UK ,(especially if they are carrying swords into the country).
The role of the DIA has however changed with the appointment of the new Chair at the 2014 AGM.
Previously Errol Baboolal Blake took a very hands-off approach to the FIK aspect of the DIArole, leaving it to the DIA to sign BKA documents on his behalf. The present Chair takes a far more positive role in international affairs, leading at times to duplication of communication between the FIK and the BKA Bucho and often between the BKA Chair, the DIA and the FIK.
For my successor:
The Role of the DIA (Director of International Affairs)
The Constitution envisages that the Director of International Affairs has a working knowledge of at least two of the arts covered by this constitution.
Represent the Association at meetings of major international bodies.
Advise the NC and BuEC as to matters of international policy.
Accept briefing/de-briefing on Bu affairs by the NC and BuEC.
Represent the views of the NC and BuEC on international bodies.
Report and make recommendations to the NC and BuEC on developments consequent upon meetings attended.
Report to AGM/EGM on international affairs.
(Has one ordinary vote in committee)