Grading Syllabus
Kyu grades and shodan
The syllabus below is based on that used at the World Aikido Headquarters and list the “minimum” requirements. For an expanded version of the requirements for each grade please refer to the Proficiency Test sheets available from Andrew.
These requirements apply from January 2008.
In all cases each grade includes the techniques from the lower grades as well.
| Technique | 5 kyu | 4 kyu | 3 kyu | 2 kyu | 1 kyu | Shodan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum training since previous grading | 30 days | 60 days | 75 days | 75 days | 90 days | 105 days - invitation required |
| Ikkyo | Shomen uchi | Shomen uchi - suwari waza and tachi waza | Kata dori - suwari waza and tachi waza | Yokomen uchi and ushiro ryote dori - suwari waza and tachi waza | Katate dori | |
| Nikkyo | - | Kata dori | - | |||
| Sankyo | - | |||||
| Yonkyo | - | Morote tori | ||||
| Gokyo | - | Yokomen uchi | ||||
| Shiho nage | Katate dori | Yokomen uchi | Ryote dori | Katate dori - hanmi handachi and tachi wasa | Ryote dori - hanmi handachi and tachi wasa | Tsuki |
| Irimi nage | Shomen uchi | Tsuki | Katate dori | Shomen uchi, tsuki, and katate dori | Morote dori | |
| Kote gaeshi | - | |||||
| Kaiten nage | - | Katate dori | - | |||
| Tenchi nage | - | Ryote dori | ||||
| Jiyu waza | - | Katate dori | Ryote dori | Morote dori | Any | |
| Tanto tori | - | Three techniques | ||||
| Bokken tori | - | One technique | ||||
| Jo tori | - | One technique | ||||
| Kokyo ho | Suwari waza | |||||
Dan grades
- Shodan
- 105 days practice since previous grading. Combinations of Toshu Waza, Uchi Waza & Ushiro Waza from Suwari Waza, Hanmi-hadachi and Tachi Waza
- Nidan
- Minimum 1 year and 300 days since previous grading. Additional techniques include futari-gake. Aikido-related essay also required
- Sandan
- Minimum 2 years and 450 days since previous grading. Additional techniques include taninzu-gake.
- Yondan
- Minimum 3 years and 450 days since previous grading. Jiyu waza required for all the above.
Grading preparation and notes
- Be sure you have the required number of practice days before applying for an examination.
- Application forms and fees should be filed 7 days before the examination.
- Right to honour of New grade only after all relevant Fees, Registration and your certificate presented.
- Essays and articles should be submitted with the application form.
- Successful completion of summer and winter trainings, and seminars will be taken into consideration.
- Topics to be assigned by the examiner.
- Minimum age for Shodan is 16 years, 3rd Dan 23 years.
- Belt Colours:
- 5th Kyu through to 4th Kyu -WHITE BELT
- 3rd Kyu through to 1 st Kyu -BROWN BELT
- SHODAN onwards - BLACK BELT
- Hakama:
- Women: Hakama worn from 3rd Kyu
- Men: Hakama worn from SHODAN
- As a rule Uke in an examination should be of the same rank.
- Continue doing the same Waza, Hidari and Migi, Ura and Omote until the Examiner says "Yame"
- Gradings are held only twice a year.
- As a rule there will be no double grading.
- All dan gradings require an invitation.
- All Dan grades are expected to attend gasshuku since previous grading (or shodan applicants since sankyu) or will have completed substantially more than the minimum training requirements.