An Account of My Nidan Test

8/12/91

Mark J. Norton


On Friday, August 2, 1991 I tested for the rank on Nidan. For many months prior to this, I had been giving thought to testing. I felt ready technically, my health was good, and I was in reasonable shape. In training for my Shodan test, I put a great deal of effort into building my stamina, speed, power, etc. For almost a whole year I had prepared for the test, culminating in three cracked ribs four days before the scheduled test. Naturally, I failed that examination, but fared much better six months later after recovering. Because of this, I felt that a lot of effort invested in preparing for a Nidan test might be a waste of time. In a sense, it is a way of cheating, because it shows me at an atypical level of physical strength.

So, to prepare for my Nidan exam, I instead worked on the technical aspects of the techniques, being relaxed and controlled. In freestyle practice, I concentrated on being in control of the situation and moving smoothly from one encounter to the next.

The occasion was Summer Camp, 1991. My wife (Brigid Cassidy) and I drove up to Colby College in Maine the night before the test. During the three hour drive, there was a lot of time to examine my mental state. I felt relaxed, calm, and ready. I reviewed (many times) in my mind the test and possible techniques I might use. After checking into a nearby hotel, Brigid and I had a nightcap and retired early. The next day, we signed up for the test, scheduled for 2 pm that afternoon. A Yudansha and Beginner class in the morning helped me to loosen up.

After a light lunch (Chinese food), we arrived for the exams. Charlie Card was also testing for Nidan. Neither of us had pre-selected Uke's. Asking around, I was able to get Bob Whelan from Salem to be my partner. Bob turned out to be a good choice, being of my height and weight and his ablity for good ukemi. Being in his forties, he also would not wear me down with fast attacks.

Chuck and I sat through the Kyu tests and Shodan tests. Chuck seemed somewhat nervous. I still felt calm and ready. This was a unique experience for me in a way. Usually, I get butterflies just before I am called. This time, all I felt was anticipation (almost eagerness). There were 12 shodan tests, 6 nidan, and 3 sandan. Chuck and I were both called as the second group of three for nidan.

As the test began, my sense of calm gave way to pleasure. I felt so good about testing that I smiled, and joked with Bob as he attacked me. My throws were simple, smooth, and fairly slow. I am capable of more power and speed, but that was not what I wanted to show. As we progressed through Shomenuchi, Tsuki, and Ushiro-waza attacks, I used only two advanced throws: a sacrefice throw off yokomenuchi, and a ki throw (punch to face) off tsuki. Lou (watch from a balcony) later remarked on the sacrefice throw. No one noticed the other.

After all six of us had demonstrated technique, we were called individually for a five man freestyle. Again, I felt no fear or trepidation. When my turn came, I knelt calmly, bowed immediately and walked to meet my opponents. During this randori, I tried to manage the small crowd by throwing my attackers at each other, by moving to the outside, etc. I used several techniques other than kokyunage (shihonage, kotegaeshi, etc.) and it was quickly over.

After sandan tests were completed, Mr. Yamada (who administered the tests with Mr. Kanai) announced that all students testing for Dan rank had passed their examination. As such, I was promoted to Nidan.