View Full Version : ZNKR Zekken Query
ScottUK
31st October 2003, 14:19
Hi Fellas,
Just trying to sort out a zekken for my iaigi. I have a few questions:
1 - would you normally have your dojo name across the top on it's own or with the word 'dojo'? i.e. 'Masamune' or 'Masamune Dojo'
2 - Is it acceptable within the rules of the ZNKR to have a first name instead of a surname?
3 - I have had a few people (both Japanese and Western) write a zekken for me and each time it's been different. Would someone please let me know their opinion so I can get a vote on what's correct?
I have the kanji for both 'Masamune' and 'Masamune Dojo', so all I need is the katakana for 'Scott' and 'Halls', depending upon whether I need to use my surname or can get away with my first name (which also is a common surname!).
Cheers,
Scott
gendzwil
31st October 2003, 14:49
Not sure about iaido: in kendo it would be just the dojo name without the "dojo" overtop. Last name is used, not first. Finally, if you're going to put the Japanese translation in the middle, use katakana not kanji. Kanji "translations" of names are just goofy.
ScottUK
31st October 2003, 14:55
Hi Neil,
Yep, that's what I said above - kanji for dojo and katakana for name...
gendzwil
31st October 2003, 18:22
Normally we have the dojo name in english. The katakana for the surname mostly just looks swanky, although it is a convenience for some of the sensei whose English skills may be not that strong.
Shimura
31st October 2003, 18:56
On my iaigi we had the name of the dojo in kanji. My sensei had soom other kanji on the back of one of his iaigi that he would wear for demos..the purpose I'm not sure.
Chidokan
31st October 2003, 19:58
the Japanese think that its funny we want to write our names using kanji...apparently Tim sounds like an extremely rude word when translated (no they wouldnt tell me).
They are more than capable of reading english names written in english, its your language so why not use it? Its also cheaper to get them done as the local sewing shop can rattle them off quite quickly on those computerised machines.
Dahlia
31st October 2003, 20:10
Like Neil I'm not sure about iaido, but in kendo we often use both katakana and latin letters. Sometimes both surname and last name are written.
And if I were you I'd rather have "Scott Hall" then "Sukotto Hoosu (or Hoorusu, depends on who's transcribing it)" on my chest... Then again, if you aren't going to Japan in the next few years, it's better to have your Name in English so then everybody can actually read it.
Don't you have an all-dojo corporate identity zekken by the way?
Enfield
31st October 2003, 22:37
Around here, the format is exactly the same as for kendo zekken. Dojo across the top, surname in katakana vertically in the middle, name in romaji across the bottom. Whether the dojo name is written in kanji depends on the name. If it's Japanese, it gets written in Japanese, if not, it doesn't.
DCPan
31st October 2003, 22:56
So,
What is the preferred method of attaching the zekken to your iaido-gi? Velcro? Safety pin?
Thanks!
David "obviously still nametagless"
Chidokan
1st November 2003, 09:01
I just had mine embroidered straight into the jacket, that way they dont come off.
Shimura
1st November 2003, 12:16
Embroidered directly onto the iaigi, by hand actually. Yes, it cost a bit of money but its beautiful work and my sensei "suggested" it.
ulvulv
1st November 2003, 14:41
I stitched on tiny black buttons, I do not know the excact phrase for those kind of buttons, but they are in two pieces, one attached to the jacket, the other to the backside of the zekken. They were quite easy to stitch on. I like to be able to take of the zekken when i wash the jacket.
Richie112
1st November 2003, 14:53
David
Probably Velcro is the best way if you get a zekken, that way you only have to buy one and can swop it between Iaigi. I was told in the UK, when you grade you aren't supposed to wear one, so it can save you a jacket change (lazy I know....).
ScottUK
1st November 2003, 17:34
Rich,
when we grade, we have a grading number issued with which we obscure our zekken details (name & dojo). No need for a quick change!
Where do you practice iai and what style?
Scott
A. Bakken
1st November 2003, 18:27
Most of the discussions about zekken has left me more confused than illuminated. OK, so kanji are "goofy" and katakana look "swanky" (?), but what about good, old Roman capitals, then?
----------------------
DOJO NAME
LAST NAME
----------------------
Does anyone have the complete book of ZNKR regulations (and, if such an entity exist: in English translation)? Quotations, please? I was told when I ordered my Daimyo Outfitters uniform that ZNKR only allows black, blue and white -- is that really the case?
P.S. What about Cyrillic, cuneiform, runic script... ? ;)
Chidokan
2nd November 2003, 18:55
Daimyo outfitters are talking bollocks. You can wear any colour you like... so long as its black! damn.. wrong quote.
Just keep it sober, nothing too flash. At the hachidan grading last year it was mainly black, brown, grey in light and dark, and dark green. Obi can be any colour.
Ladies seem to have a little more leeway, and wear what they like. Suppose its like going to work in a suit...only hairdressers turn out in pink suits.
hmmm...runic zekken... over to Ulvulv for that one!!
gendzwil
3rd November 2003, 02:48
Originally posted by A. Bakken
Most of the discussions about zekken has left me more confused than illuminated. OK, so kanji are "goofy" and katakana look "swanky" (?), but what about good, old Roman capitals, then?
Yes, of course if you are in North America or Europe then you would use Romaji for both dojo/country and last name. What we're discussing is the decoration in the middle. This can be a club crest, national flag (usually only for national team members) or most commonly your name in Japanese characters. If your name is Japanese then of course kanji, otherwise the katakana translation. It looks nice and it's also a courtesy for Japanese people. I guess not every country has this situation, but here in Canada and also in the US all the senior sensei are Japanese immigrants and we often have Japanese visitors. The katakana are more than a nicety.
ulvulv
3rd November 2003, 12:49
Originally posted by Chidokan
Daimyo outfitters are talking bollocks. You can wear any colour you like... so long as its black! damn.. wrong quote.
Just keep it sober, nothing too flash. At the hachidan grading last year it was mainly black, brown, grey in light and dark, and dark green. Obi can be any colour.
Ladies seem to have a little more leeway, and wear what they like. Suppose its like going to work in a suit...only hairdressers turn out in pink suits.
hmmm...runic zekken... over to Ulvulv for that one!!
I guess mr bakken is quite self-sufficient when it comes to nordic language-history.
I think I will go for dark-green on my hachidan-grading, and I will try to be sober. Oh, sorry, keep it sober I mean.
Why not place the zekken at the buttocks with buttons, like the flap on old cowboy-underwear that you see in the movies. With a hole under, taking a dump mid-practise would be sooo much easier.
Chidokan
3rd November 2003, 19:49
on that theory I reckon you should get shodan for being able to go to the toilet without getting any part of your gi 'messed' up...
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