Crystallization

[eredien]

I think I have the following things:

- A thesis topic. Not talking about this much yet--want to see if it's workable first--but let's just say it involves Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities, and perhaps (if I can work them in) a bit of various parts of Gaiman and maybe Ellis.

- My class schedule mostly worked out. Sources tell me (*shakeshakeshake* subjunctive!) that Japanese Architecture & Planning does not, in fact, conflict with the thesis course.

Oh, and I'm a 4th-kyu in naginata now, which is overwhelmingly cool.

Comments

[daisho.livejournal.com]

Always handy to know what you'll be writing your dissertation on, especially if you can take the other classes you want to as well. And many congrats on the grading! :)

[rushthatspeaks.livejournal.com]

How does the naginata ranking system work? I mean, should I be congratulating you, *really* congratulating you, or something else? Curious, as -kyu is not a ranking suffix I have previously heard.
Lila

[eredien]

Just regular congratulations. Catriona too. The rankings are as follows:

Mudansha/Dangai ranks that lead to Yudansha (black-belt) ranks:
Rokkyu - 6th (Beginner)
Gokyu - 5th
Yonkyu - 4th
Sankyu - 3rd
Nikyu - 2nd
Ikkyu - 1st before black belt

Yudansha (black belt) ranks:
Shodan - First degree black belt
Nidan - 2nd "
Sandan - 3rd "
Yondan - 4th "
Godan - 5th " (this is the highest level you can get before progressing to teaching).

Teaching ranks:
Renshi - Teacher
Kyoshi - Senior Teacher
Hanshi - Master Teacher

There are no Hanshi in the United States; Yamauchi-Sensei is one of only two Kyoshi in the US at the present time.

For the teaching ranks you need referee certification plus a certain number of years at other levels, and there is also an age requirement. For instance, for Renshi you need to have been a Godan for at least 3 years previous and be 27 before they let you take the test for it. For testing for Kyoshi you need to have been a Renshi for 7 years and be at least 35, for testing for Hanshi you need to have been a Kyoshi for 20 years and be 55 or older.

Hope that helps!