Aikido Grading Examination System
The date and the results of an exam will be announced each time when it is held.
Usually Kyu Grade exams are held on the first Sunday of each month while Dan Grade exams are held on the first Sunday of every other month. However, no exams are held in January and August.
Dan Grade exams are held on the first Sunday in March, May, July, October and December. However it will be held on the second Sunday in May. Please check every time.
Please fill an application along with the exam fee at the dojo office by prior Thursday of the day of exam.
| Level | Prerequisite | Ikkyo | Nikyo | Sankyo | Yonkyo | Gokyo | Shihonage | Iriminage | Kotegaeshi | Kaitennage | Tenchinage | Jiyuwaza | Kokyuho |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Kyu | 30 days of practice | Shomen-uchi | Katatedori | Shomen-uchi | zagi | ||||||||
| 4th Kyu | 40 days of practice after obtaining 5th Kyu | Shomen-uchi | Katadori | Yokomen-uchi | Shomen-uchi | zagi | |||||||
| 3rd Kyu | 50 days of practice after obtaining 4th Kyu | Shomen-uchi (zagi and tachi waza) | Ryotedori | Yokomen-uchi | Shomen-uchi, Tsuki | Ryotedori | zagi | ||||||
| 2nd Kyu | 50 days of practice after obtaining 3rd Kyu | Shomen-uchi (zagi and tachi waza), Katadori (zagi and tachi waza) | Katatedori (Hanmi-handachi) | Shomen-uchi, Tsuki (tachi waza), Katatedori | Katatedori, Ryotedori | Katatedori | zagi | ||||||
| 1st Kyu | 60 days of practice after obtaining 2nd Kyu | Shomen-uchi (zagi and tachi waza), Yokomen-uchi (zagi and tachi waza), Katadori (zagi and tachi waza), Ushiro Ryotedori | Yokomen-uchi | Katatedori, Ryotedori (Hanmi-handachi waza & tachi waza) | Shomen-uchi, Tsuki, Katatedori | Ryotedori | Katatedori, Ryotedori, Morotedori | (zagi and tachi waza) | |||||
| 1st Dan | 70 days of practice after obtaining 1st Kyu, (15 years or older) | Unarmed techniques (zagi, hanmi-handachi waza, tachi waza) for shomen-uchi, yokomen-uchi (strikes), tsuki (thrusts), all forms of grasping shoulders, elbows, collar, wrists and hands; all techniques from the rear) | |||||||||||
| 2nd Dan | Minimum 1 year since 1st dan, with 200 days of practice | Same as above plus Tanto-dori and Futarigake (by two ukes). Submit an article on some Aikido-related subject. | |||||||||||
| 3rd Dan | Minimum 2 years since 2nd dan, with 300 days of practice | Same as above plus Tachi-dori, Jo-dori and Taninzugake (more than three ukes). Same as above (Topics will be assigned). | |||||||||||
| 4th Dan | Minimum 3 years since 3rd dan, with 400 days of practice, (22 years or older) | Jiyuwaza for all of the above plus a short essay. | |||||||||||
NOTES
- Zagi (Suwari waza): sitting.
- Hanmi-handachi waza: sitting vs. standing.
- Tachi waza: standing.
- Be sure you have the required number of practice days before applying for an examination. Application forms and fees should be filed 3 days before the examination.
- Essays and articles should be filed 3 days before the examination.
- Successful completion of summer and winter training will be taken into consideration.
- Minimum age for 1st Dan is 15 years, and for 4th Dan is 22 years.
- Examinations shall be taken at the dojo where you normally practice. If you wish to take an examination at a dojo other than where you normally practice, approval of both dojos is required.
- Morotedori is two hands holding one hand.
- As a rule partners (uke) in an examination should be of the same rank.
- Continue doing the same technique, left and right, ura and omote, until the examiner says "Stop".