Grading System

Exam for
Grade of:

Pre-requisite for Exam

Ikkyo

Nikkyo

Sankyo

Yonkyo

Gokyo

Shihonage

Iriminage

Kotegaeshi

Kaiten -nage

Tenchi nage

Jiyuwaza

Kokyuho

6th Kyu (blue)

30 days of practice.

Shomenuchi

-

-

-

-

Katatedori

Shomenuchi

-

-

-

-

Sitting

5th Kyu
(blue gold)

40 days of practice after obtaining 6th Kyu.

Shomenuchi 

Katadori

-

-

-

Yokomenuchi

Shomen uchi (sitting and

 standing)

-

-

-

-

Sitting

4th Kyu
(brown)

50 days of practice after obtaining 5th Kyu.

Shomenuchi (sitting & standing)

-

Ryotedori
Yokomenuchi

Shomenuchi
Tsuki

-

Ryotedori

-

Sitting

3rd Kyu
(brown gold)

50 days of practice after obtaining 4th Kyu.

Shomenuchi (sitting & standing)
Katadori (sitting & standing)

-

Katatedori
(hanmi handachi)

Shomenuchi
Tsuki (standing)
Katatedori

Katatedori

Ryotedori

Katatedori

Sitting

2nd Kyu
(black)

60 days of practice after obtaining 3rd Kyu.

Shomenuchi             (sitting & standing)
Yokomenuchi           (sitting & standing)
Katadori                  (sitting & standing)
Ushiro Ryotedori      (sitting & standing)

Yokomen -uchi

Katatedori
Ryotedori
(hanmi handachi & standing)

Shomenuchi
Tsuki
Katatedori

Ryotedori

Katatedori
Ryotedori
Morotedori

Sitting Standing

1st Kyu
(black gold)

70 days of practice after obtaining 2nd Kyu.

Unarmed techniques (sitting, hanmi handachi, standing techniques for strikes, thrust, all forms of grasping shoulders, elbows, collar, wrists & hands; all techniques from the rear.)

Sho Dan
(1st Dan)

Minimum 1 year since 1st Kyu with 200 days practice.

Unarmed techniques (sitting, hanmi handachi, standing techniques for strikes, thrust, all forms of grasping shoulders, elbows, collar, wrists & hands; all techniques from the rear.)

Ni Dan
(2nd Dan)

Minimum 2 years since Sho Dan with 300 days of regular practice.

Same as above plus Tantodori and Futarigake.  Submit an article on some Aikido related subject.

     

Notes

   

  • Be sure to have the required number of practice days before applying for an examination.  Application forms should be filed 1 week before the examination.

  • Essays and articles should be submitted with the application form.

  • Attendance at Combined Trainings, Aiki Camps, Anniversary gatherings, etc., will be taken into consideration as well.
  • Minimum age for Sho Dan is 15 years, 4th Dan is 22 years.
  • An examination shall be taken at the Dojo where you normally practice.  If you wish to take an examination at a Dojo other than you normally practice, approval of both Dojos is required.

 
  • As a rule, partners (Uke) in an examination should be of the same rank.
  • Continue doing the mentioned technique (left and right, ura and omote), until the examiner says otherwise.