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The Grading - Belt System

There are five Kyu or senior student grades, before Dan rank (Black Belt). These are indicated by different coloured belts that the students wear.  For junior students the increments are more, with each step being easier to achieve:-

The first Black Belt is know as 1st Dan.  This is also known as Shodan, which means beginning.  This is the first rank that is registered with the Japan Aikido Association.

Grading examinations are held every six months, usually in May and November.

After every grading there are some students disappointed, and even upset, if they have not been successful in obtaining their next grade. Gradings are not rewards for training hard or attending sessions regularly, although both of these elements are necessary if your Aikido is to develop properly. Gradings are but an assessment of the student's ability to move on to the next stage of their training. The belt system is merely an indication that you have knowledge of the techniques at the lower grades and are ready to move on. However, previously learnt techniques. Even the highest grades of Black Belts continue to practice basic exercises and drills, always striving for perfection.

One must always remember that attaining Black Belt is not the end of the student's training, only the end of the first phase, although student's can be justifiably proud of achieving a Dan grade, it is only the start of their Aikido training. By the time the student has obtained this grade they will be fit, strong and have the correct technique and should be mentally competent enough to be able to embark on a most exciting journey knowing they will never reach their destination (perfection).

The student should always keep in mind that taking a Grading is not to compare yourself with others - it is simply a measure of your progress since the last examination.  So you compare yourself with yourself not others.

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The Grading Syllabus

Technique:

Application:

Ukemi - Side and Back breakfall

Randori-no-kata 1-5

1. Shomen-ate

2. Ai-gamae-ate

3. Gyaku-gamae-ate

4. Gedan-ate

5. Ushiro-ate

Performed on candidate's 'natural' side.

i.e. candidate's choice of left or right.

Kakarigeiko - Single attacker, Open-handed attack which must include Shomen-ate and Yokomen-uchi.

More than 2 months from start date.

Minimum of 20 hours practise.

Technique:

Application:

Ukemi - Forward Roll

Randori-no-kata (1-5 and 6-10)

1. Shomen-ate

2. Ai-gamae-ate

3. Gyaku-gamae-ate

4. Gedan-ate

5. Ushiro-ate

6. Oshi-taoshi

7. Ude-gaeshi

8. Hiki-taoshi

9. Ude-garame

10. Waki-gatame

Performed left or right, examiner's choice.

Kakarigeiko - Single attacker with or without Tanto, to include Shomen and Yokomen (Aigamae and Gyakugamae) attacks.

See note 2

More than 2 months as 6th Kyu.

Minimum of 20 hours practise as 6th Kyu.

Technique:

Application:

Ukemi - Kote-gaeshi, supported

 Shikko - Forward & Turning

 Suwari-waza - 2 techniques

Randori-no-kata (1-5 and 6-10 and 11-14)

1. Shomen-ate

2. Ai-gamae-ate

3. Gyaku-gamae-ate

4. Gedan-ate

5. Ushiro-ate

6. Oshi-taoshi

7. Ude-gaeshi

8. Hiki-taoshi

9. Ude-garame

10. Waki-gatame

11. Kote-hineri

12. Kote-gaeshi

13. Tenkai-kote-hineri

14. Shiho-nage

Performed left or right, examiner's choice.

 Kakarigeiko - Grasp attacks, Aigamae and Gyakugamae.

Tanto Kakarigeiko - Single attacker with Tanto.

More than 4 months as 5th Kyu.

Minimum of 40 hours practise as 5th Kyu.

Technique:

Application:

 Suwari-waza - 4 techniques

(Candidate's choice, both students kneeling)

Randori-no-kata (17 techniques)

(1-5 and 6-10 and 11-14 and 15-17) 

1. Shomen-ate

2. Ai-gamae-ate

3. Gyaku-gamae-ate

4. Gedan-ate

5. Ushiro-ate

6. Oshi-taoshi

7. Ude-gaeshi

8. Hiki-taoshi

9. Ude-garame

10. Waki-gatame

11. Kote-hineri

12. Kote-gaeshi

13. Tenkai-kote-hineri

14. Shiho-nage

15. Mae-otoshi

16. Sumi-otoshi

17. Hiki-otoshi

Randori-no-kata-no-ura-waza 1-5

Counters 1-5 (5 techniques)

1. Shomen-ate - Waki-gatame

2. Ai-gamae-ate - Kote-mawashi

3. Gyaku-gamae-ate - Gedan-ate

4. Gedan-ate - Ai-gamae-ate

5. Ushiro-ate - Tenkai-kote-hineri

Kakarigeiko - Multiple attackers e.g. Ninindori, with variation of attack, open-handed.

Hikitategeiko - Single attacker with Tanto.

Objective: Movement - 'passive' (no counters)

More than 4 months as 4th Kyu.

Minimum of 40 hours practise as 4th Kyu.

Technique:

Application:

(Performed alone.

Similar to Koryu-Dai-San. No. 1 Suwari-waza)

Shichi-hon-no-kuzushi 1-7

(To show balance disturbance,

circular movement and control - no breakfalls)

Randori-no-kata 1-17 (17 techniques)

Randori-no-kata-no-ura-waza 1-10

Counters 1-10 (10 techniques)

1. Shomen-ate - Waki-gatame

2. Ai-gamae-ate - Kote-mawashi

3. Gyaku-gamae-ate - Gedan-ate

4. Gedan-ate - Ai-gamae-ate

5. Ushiro-ate - Tenkai-kote-hineri

6. Oshi-taoshi - Kote-mawashi

7. Hiki-taoshi - Tenkai-kote-hineri

8. Kote-gaeshi - Kote-gaeshi

9. Tenkai-kote-hineri - Waki-gatame

10. Shiho-nage - Shiho-nage

 Kakarigeiko - Ninindori

Hikitategeiko - Single attacker with Tanto - 'active' (with counters).

More than 6 months as 3rd Kyu.

Minimum of 60 hours practise as 3rd Kyu.

Technique:

Application:

(To show balance disturbance, circular movement and control - with breakfalls)

Randori-no-kata 1-17 (17 techniques)

Counters 1-10 (10 techniques)

Kuzushi - Demonstration of a variety of balance disturbances for randori.

 Koryu-dai-san 

1. Oshi-taoshi

2. Gyaku-gamae-ate

3. Kote-gaeshi

4. Ryote-mochi-sukui-nage

5. Tenkai-kote-hineri

6. Shiho-nage

7. Gedan-ate

8. Hiji-kime

Suwari-waza Section A (8 techniques)

 Hikitategeiko - Empty-handed (Toshu) 

More than 9 months as 2nd Kyu.

Minimum of 120 hours practise as 2nd Kyu.

Notes:

2. Candidate: From 5th Kyu onwards, and with the exception of Koryu-dai-San, candidates will be expected to be able to demonstrate on left or right at examiner's choice.

3. Coaches: Gohon-no-Kuzushi, currently shown in BAA syllabus at 2nd Kyu, is recognised as a training method and should be incorporated into practice sessions.

4. Coaches: Tanto Randori-no-Kata is recognised as a training method and should be incorporated into practice sessions.

5. At all levels after 6th Kyu, previous syllabus will be required at the discretion of the examiners.

6. Duration, intensity and quantity of the ‘Application’ sections will be at the discretion of the examiners.

Application:

Koryu-Dai-San -Section B and C  - 16 (8+8)
Koryu-Dai-Yon complete - 1-25 (14+11) note1/2

Randori - Tanto and Toshu (empty-handed)
Combinations and Counters - 5 of each, candidates' choice

Application:

Randori as required - Tanto and Toshu

Application:

Randori as required - Tanto and Toshu

Application:

Randori as required - Tanto and Toshu

Application:

Randori as required - Tanto and Toshu

Application:

Randori as required - Tanto and Toshu

Notes:

1. Candidates: Koryu-no-Kata – sections to be demonstrated will be chosen by the examiner.

2. Examiner: Koryu-no-Kata – new sections at each level must be demonstrated, demonstration of previous sections is optional. 

3. Candidates: Upon attaining 6 Dan, students will have successfully performed all the current Koryu-no-Kata; Koryu-Dai-Ichi, Koryu-Dai-Ni, Koryu-Dai-San, Koryu-Dai-Yon, Koryu-Dai-Go, Koryu-Dai-Roku. 

4. At any time examiners may ask to review previous parts of the syllabus. 

5. Character and attitude will be considered at each level. These include participation as a student in competitions and/or courses. 

6. ‘Technique’ and ‘Application’ sections are of equal value in the assessment.

7. Age and physical ability will be taken into account throughout.

A successful candidate attaining black belt  will automatically receive a British Aikido Association Dan Grade Certificate shortly after their grading.  Those invited to apply for International status with the Japan Aikido Association should do so through the European Tomiki Aikido Federation (ETAF).  The current fees and an application form may be downloaded from their website.

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             27 Apr 2008

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