AIKIKAI GRADING 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 and the first Monday of each month while Dan Grade exams are held on the fist Sunday and the first Monday every other month.
  • However, no exams are held in January and August.
Please file an application along with the exam fee at the dojo office by Thursday before the day of exam.
HOMBU DOJO GRADING SYSTEM
Exam. for Grade of: Prerequisite for Exam: CONTENTS
Ikkyo Nikyo Sankyo Yonkyo Gokyo Shiho-nage Irimi-nage Kote-gaeshi Kaiten-nage Tenchi-nage Jiyuwaza Kokyu-ho
5th Kyu 30 days of practice Shomen-uchi



KatatedoriShomen-uchi



Sitting
4th Kyu 40 days of practice after obtaining 5th Kyu Shomen-uchiKatadori


Yokomen-uchiShomen-uchi



Sitting
3rd Kyu 50 days of practice after obtaining 4th Kyu Shomen-uchi（Sitting and Standing）
Ryotedori
Yokomen-uchi		Shomen-uchi
Tsuki
Ryotedori
Sitting
2nd Kyu 50 days of practice after obtaining 3rd Kyu Shomen-uchi（Sitting and Standing）
Katadori（Sitting and Standing）
Katatedor
（Hanmi-handachi）		Shomen-uchi
Tsuki（Standing）
Katatedor		KatatedorRyotedoriKatatedorSitting
1st Kyu 60 days of practice after obtaining 2nd Kyu Shomen-uchi（Sitting and Standing）
Yokomen-uchi（Sitting and Standing）
Katadori（Sitting and Standing）
Ushiro Ryotedori		Yokomen-uchiKatatedor
Ryotedori
（Hanmi-handachi & Standing）		Shomen-uchi
Tsuki
Katatedori		RyotedoriKatatedor
Ryotedori
Morotedori		Sitting
Standing
1st Dan 70 days of practice after obtaining 1st Kyu Unarmed techniques（sitting,sitting vs. standing,standing techniques for strikes, 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 Tantodori and Futarigake
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 Tachidori , Jodori and Taninzugake
Same as above (Topics will be assigned)
4th Dan Minimum 3 years since 3rd dan, with 400 days of practice Jiyuwaza for all of the above plus a short essay
NOTES
  • 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 Shodan is 15 years, 4th Dan 22 years.
  • An examination shall be taken at the dojo where you normally practice. If you wish to taken an examination at a dojo other than where you normally practice, approval of both dojos is required.
  • Morotedori(two hands holding one)
  • 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".
AIKIKAI FOUNDATION Aikido World Headquarters
17-18 Wakamatsu Cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0056 Japan
Phone: (+81) 3-3203-9236, Fax: (+81) 3-3204-8145
Email: aikido@aikikai.or.jp