Grading Curriculum

Grading examinations are held every six months, usually in March and September.

Certificates up to and including Ikkyu (First Grade) are issued by Saburo Takayasu Shihan.  Certificates for Shodan (first degree black belt) and above are issued by Aikikai World Headquarters (Hombu), Tokyo via Takayasu Shihan.

The following is a list of grading prerequisites and a list of techniques to be demonstrated during the grading exams:

Gokyu – Fifth Grade, Yellow Belt

A minimum of 30 classes (3 months) as a white belt (beginner).

Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Sankyo, from Shomen-uchi, omote and ura, Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi, ura only
Hanmi-Handachi Shiho-nage from Katate-dori, omote waza
Shiho-nage from Katate-dori, omote waza
Kote-gaeshi from Mune-dori
Kokyu-nage from Morote-dori
Irimi-nage from Shomen-uchi
Kaiten-nage from Katate-dori

Yonkyu – Fourth Grade, Yellow Belt

At least 70 more classes and a minimum of 6 months as a 5th Grade Yellow Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Yonkyo, from Shomen-uchi, omote and ura, Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi, ura only
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 1)
Shiho-nage (choose 1)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 1)
Kokyu-nage (choose 1)
Irimi-nage (choose 1)
Koshi-nage (choose 1)
Ushiro-waza (choose 1)
Ukemi – forward roll from standing (2 on each side)
Ukemi – backward roll from standing (2 on each side)
Ken suburi 1-3 (sword)
Jo Suburi 1-7 (staff)

Sankyu – Third Grade, Brown Belt

At least 80 more classes and a minimum of 6 months as a 4th Grade Yellow Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Yonkyo, from Shomen-uchi, omote and ura, Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi, ura only
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 2)
Shiho-nage (choose 2)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 2)
Kokyu-nage (choose 2)
Irimi-nage (choose 2)
Koshi-nage (choose 2)
Ushiro-waza (choose 2)
Ukemi – receive high fall from koshi nage (2 on each side)
Ken suburi 1-7 (sword)
Jo Suburi 1-10 (staff)

Nikyu – Second Grade, Brown Belt

At least 160 more classes and a minimum of 12 months as a 3rd Grade Brown Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 2)
Shiho-nage (choose 2)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 2)
Kokyu-nage (choose 2)
Irimi-nage (choose 2)
Koshi-nage (choose 2)
Ushiro-waza (choose 2)
Ukemi – receive high fall from kote gaeshi (2 on each side)
Tanto-dori (choose 2)
Tachi-dori (choose 2)
Jo-dori (choose 2)
Ken suburi 1-7 (sword)
Jo Suburi 1-20 (staff)

Ikkyu – First Grade, Brown Belt

At least 160 more classes and a minimum of 12 months as a 2nd Grade Brown Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 3)
Shiho-nage (choose 3)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 3)
Kokyu-nage (choose 3)
Irimi-nage (choose 3)
Koshi-nage (choose 3)
Ushiro-waza (choose 3)
Ukemi – receive high fall from shiho nage (2 on each side)
Tanto-dori (choose 3)
Tachi-dori (choose 3)
Jo-dori (choose 3)
Happo-giri (eight direction sword cut)
Sanjuichi-no-jo (31 step staff kata)
Kumi-tachi 1-3 (paired sword sets)
Kumi-jo 1-3 (paired staff sets)

Shodan – First Degree, Black Belt

At least 180 more classes and a minimum of 12 months as a 1st Grade Brown Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 3)
Shiho-nage (choose 3)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 3)
Kokyu-nage (choose 3)
Irimi-nage (choose 3)
Koshi-nage (choose 3)
Ushiro-waza (choose 3)
Tanto-dori (choose 3)
Tachi-dori (choose 3)
Jo-dori (choose 3)
Ni-nin Kokyu-nage
Ni-nin Jiyu waza (free technique against two attackers)
Kumi-tachi 1-5 (paired sword sets)
Kumi-jo 1-5 (paired staff sets)
Sanjuichi-no-jo

Nidan – Second Degree, Black Belt

At least 2 years further training as a 1st Degree Black Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 3)
Shiho-nage (choose 3)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 3)
Kokyu-nage (choose 3)
Irimi-nage (choose 3)
Koshi-nage (choose 3)
Ushiro-waza (choose 3)
Tanto-dori (choose 3)
Tachi-dori (choose 3)
Jo-dori (choose 3)
Ni-nin Kokyu-nage
San-nin Jiyu waza (free technique against three attackers)
Kumi-tachi 1-5 (paired sword sets)
Kumi-jo 1-5 (paired staff sets)
Sanjuichi-no-jo (31 step jo kata)
Any further techniques as requested by Sensei

Sandan – Third Degree, Black Belt

At least 3 years further training as a 2nd Degree Black Belt.
Suwari-waza (seated techniques)
Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Kata-dori
Hanmi-Handachi (choose 5)
Shiho-nage (choose 5)
Kote-gaeshi (choose 5)
Kokyu-nage (choose 5)
Irimi-nage (choose 5)
Koshi-nage (choose 5)
Ushiro-waza (choose 5)
Tanto-dori (choose 5)
Tachi-dori (choose 5)
Jo-dori (choose 5)
Ni-nin Kokyu-nage (choose 2)
San-nin Jiyu waza (free technique against three attackers)
Kumi-tachi 1-5 (paired sword sets)
Kumi-jo 1-10 (paired staff sets)
Ki-musubi-no-tachi
Sanjuichi-no-jo (31 step jo kata)
Sanjuichi-no-kumi-jo (31 step paired jo kata)
Any further techniques as requested by Sensei