GRADING EXAMINATION SYSTEM

As a dojo officially affiliated to the Aikikai Foundation, all kyu and dan grades that are obtained at Yokohama AikiDojo are issued by the Aikido World Headquarters and are recognized all over the world.

Grading System

All kyu and dan examinations are held at the dojo, under the supervision of Guillaume Erard Shihan.

The decision to allow a student to take part in an examination, and to award them a grade as a result, is based not only on a set of strict technical criteria, but also on more holistic parameters, in particular those that pertain to contributing positively and meaningfully to the dojo's dynamics, such as one's attitude towards one's juniors.

Image

Examination Format and Criteria

Children Grading

Children kyu grading examinations (11th kyu to 6th kyu) are held once per year and follow a distinct program that is adapted to the developmental age of children and adolescents. The program is communicated to students and families privately throughout the progression.

Adults Grading

Adults grading examinations are held ad hoc when members have totaled the minimum number of required training session and when they are meeting the expectations of a particular grade level.

  • Candidates to a kyu or dan grade examination should fill in the following form.
  • Attendance to special classes and national and international seminars is taken in consideration.
  • Examinations should be taken at the dojo where one normally practices. If one wishes to take an examination at a dojo other than where one normally practices, approval of both dojo is required.
  • As a rule, uke in an examination should be of the same rank or below.
  • Continue doing the same technique, left and right, ura and omote, until the examiner says "Stop"

Adult Kyu Syllabus

Adults kyu grades examinations follow the program available at this link.

LevelPrerequisites
5th kyu Those who have practiced for more than 30 days after joining, and have been enrolled for more than 6 months.
4th kyu Those who have practiced for more than 40 days after obtaining 5th kyu, and more than 6 months have passed since the last examination.
3rd kyu Those who have practiced for more than 50 days after obtaining 4th kyu, and more than 6 months have passed since the last examination.
2nd kyu Those who have practiced for more than 70 days after obtaining 3rd kyu, and more than 6 months have passed since the last examination.
1st kyu Those who have practiced for more than 80 days after obtaining 2nd kyu, and more than 12 months have passed since the last examination.

Adult Dan Syllabus

Dan grades examinations are held according to the same general criteria. The technical content is that of the Aikikai Headquarters, and it includes all contents seen in class and during seminars. In addition, candidates will be required to submit an essay, for which the topic and word count will be given upon registering for the examination.

LevelPrerequisiteExamination Content
1st dan Minimum 70 days of practice since 1st kyu (15 years or older) Unarmed techniques : zagi, hanmi-handachi waza, tachi waza from shomen-uchi, yokomen-uchi, tsuki, 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.
3rd dan Minimum 2 years since 2nd dan, with 300 days of practice Same as above plus tachi-dori, jo-dori and taninzugake.
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.

Important: Please note that these are absolute minimum requirements, and in practice, a longer period is often needed between ranks to fully meet all expectations at each stage. Students who meet the eligibility requirements may fill out the examination application form; however, permission to take the exam will be determined by the Yokohama AikiDojo Head in consultation with the instructional team.

aikikai-logo.png
kanagawa-aikido-federation-logo.png
iaf-logo.png

Training Times

Classes are taught in English, Japanese and French
WEDNESDAY
to - Adults & Youths
FRIDAY
to 16:30 - Saint Maur Students
17:00 to 18:00 - Children
18:30 to - Adults & Youths
SATURDAY
to 11:00 - Children
11:10 to - Adults & Youths

Yokohama AikiDojo

Officially recognized by the Aikikai Foundation, the World Aikido Headquarters.
83 Yamatecho, Naka Ward Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0862

For all questions and inquiries, please email: [email protected]

Access

Select your language