June 19-30th 2006
Nippon Kan mid-term Soran (promotion review) was held this past June 19th-30th. Since Nippon Kan’s inception, promotion testing has never been held. This has always been part of Homma Kancho’s and Nippon Kan philosophy.
At Nippon Kan, student attendance and participation in AHAN community service projects count a great deal in promotion evaluation. These factors along with age, physical ability and recommendations from the Nippon Kan Instructor staff on student technique development all determine the promotion schedule of each individual student. During Soran, Homma Kancho personally reviews the practice of all students eligible for promotion. In this manner mid-term promotions were finalized and announced at July Hakama Kai meeting of senior students.
Usually martial art dojos of all kinds focus their promotions on testing for technical proficiency only. It is common also for dojos to use testing and certification fees as a great means of income. Nippon Kan philosophy prohibits both practices. We believe that Nippon Kan’s unique promotional system is a contributing factor to the overall well being of the dojo and the growing number of practicing students at all levels.