For the True Student

There are many interested, but there are few who can hold the edge. So there are ceremonies and challenges set up to protect Newcomers and Teachers. Newcomers, from injury and Teachers, from fallen promises and losses. Well those are the words, but mainly it is a system to help recognize a person's capabilities. And it starts with:

1. Watching and seeing training and combat.
2. The questions of personal morals and beliefs. Their reasons for being.
3. Their (the Newcomer) petitioning by script and words to learn.
4. The trials of swordsmanship.
5. The vows of honor. The swearing of completion by the student to complete a set amount of training without fail (6 months to a year).

From here it is mostly a trial period. Giving the newcomer an actual month or two of training, to really see first hand whether or not this is really for him or her. And if not, they go their way, both knowing that at least they tried. But if true, from there on in they are sword students and should be treated as such.

For the Class Student

1. Meet with the Kaiden of the class.
2. Watch two classes from outside the dojo (if there are formal boundaries).
3. Mandatory once a week attendance.