Finally made Ikkyu. I found that doing the enbu forms every time we have practice with my practice partner helps with improving technique. Asking critique from others watching our enbu is very helpful as well. Continuity is the most important. Next, Shodan…
October 2007. It has been a year and five months since I started and I finally took the nikyu test and passed. However, even though I passed the nikyu techniques, I needed more repetition on my tenchiken dai ikkei and nikei forms. Continual practice is key to gradual improvement. Another point is to constantly review all the previous techniques. OK, next is ikkyu!
After four months, I qualified to take the exam for sankyu. I passed the examination. The test had its difficulties as the principal of kagite is hard to apply. I passed, but do not feel very confident about my techniques. There is a big difference between one has a white belt and who is a black belt. The smoothness and the application of the technique are like nite and day. NOW onto nikyu!
I started on May 5, 2006 and practice at a Nichiren Buddhist Temple twice a week. At first, my lack of physical fitness was extremely apparent, but now after two months, I am able to slowly hold my own during the practice. I am currently learning the set of techniques for san-kyu.
