This actually goes way back to our time in New York but, like so many things, it got lost in the shuffle of the move...

With the move coming up fast, I decided that May was the last month I could remain fully involved with my Iaido dojo. With finding a mover, packing and uncertainty about work, there was just too much to do for the dojo to remain a distraction. I announced my departure and my sensei responded, "well then, I guess you're just going to have to test for your shoden."

Gulp.

No small feat, and no small honor to be asked to test for shoden (first degree black belt). I would be testing alongside my friend Mitch who, for time and dedication, is far more advanced than I am. I knew that I had a lot of work to get ready. For about a month and half, renting space and practicing for hours on my own, I focused on fixing as many of my bad habits as possible and learning the mid-level (chūden) forms required for the test. When the time eventually came, I went before my sensei confident but nervous and did what I thought was a pretty good demonstration. Apparently, my sensei felt the same and they awarded myself (as well as Mitch) the rank of shoden in Musō Shinden-ryū.

Now, all I need is to find a dojo out here in San Francisco to continue my training. Any suggestions?