Requirements for Kyu Promotion –

The examination system in Aikido is not structured on competition. You will be graded on the following points.

• Your understanding of basic technique appropriate to your level.
• Your spontaneous movement and response appropriate for the attack.
• Your ability to adapt your movement to the force of the attack.
• The concentration and awareness you maintain throughout the examination.
• Continuity of movement is important, not speed.
• Confidence and courage are important, not ego.
• Be prepared to uke for someone else of your same level during the examination period. You will be graded on your ukemi.Technique should be demonstrated continuously both right and left until there is a signal to stop. Both irimi and tenkan movement should be used whenever applicable. You will be expected to know and respond to the Japanese terms. It is necessary to have completed the required number of days of training (each training day counts once, regardless of number of hours, in computing time requirements) and it is necessary that the waiting period between each examination has expired.
• All techniques should be presented with omote and ura  

6th Kyu (Rokyu) / 30 days / 3 months

• Katate dori
  • Irimi
  • Tenkan
  • Kokyunage
  • Sumiotoshi
  • Shihonage
• Kosa dori
  • Iriminage
  • kotegaeshi
  • Ikkyo

5th Kyu (Gokyu) / 60 days / 4 months: All previous techniques plus

• Shomenuchi
  • Ikkyo (Suwariwaza and Standing)
  • Nikyo
  • Iriminage
• Kata dori
  • Ikkyo
  • Nikyo
• Mune tsuki
  • Kaitenage (Uchi and soto)
  • Kotegaeshi
  • Ude Kimenage

4th Kyu (Yonkyu) / 60 days / 4 months: All previous techniques plus

• Ryote Dori
  • Tenchinage
  • Shihonage
  •  Kokyunage
• Yokomenuchi
  • Ikkyo
  • Kotegaeshi
  • Iriminage
  • Shihonage
• Shomenuchi
  • Sankyo
  • Yonkyo

3rd Kyu (Sankyu) / 70 days / 4 months: All previous techniques plus

• Ushiro Ryokatate Dori
• • • Iriminagei
    • Shihonage
    • Kotegeishi
    • Kokyunage
    • Jujinage

Aikido has a basic structure, kihon waza, which allows you to study the fundamental principles of the art. The structure of this training process is the same as a scientific formula. As a formula is an exacting international language that allows scientists to communicate and explore the depths of scientific principle, kihon waza is an international language allowing Aikidoka from all over the world to communicate and explore the basic truths of Aikido. If this basic structure is lost, Aikido is lost.

During the examination, you are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the art through this very exacting structure of kihon waza, clearly and precisely, not your personal ideas or your personal expression. Yudansha examination is not performance art.

The following points are critical:

• The execution of formal kihon waza, an understanding of its proper application and of the fundamental principles it demonstrates – most importantly kokyu; musubi; irimi tenkan
• Hanmi at all times; before, during, at the conclusion of and following the technique
• Control of your own center; control of your partner’s center; control of the technique
• Application of power appropriate to the attack
• The proper pinning technique to demonstrate the conflict is finished
• Timing
• Zanshin
• Attitude
• Martial Awareness

 The Proper Role of Uke in Yudansha Examination

Taking ukemi for yudansha examination is a very serious responsibility. Each technique is developed to study a specific direction and application of force. As uke you must understand this and have the ability to give an honest, strong and focused attack that is appropriate for the technique required. A weak attack is unacceptable. A deceptive attack is unacceptable. Since you know the technique your partner is being asked to demonstrate it is easy to stop its execution.

There are no friends or enemies during examination. It is not uke’s job to make value judgments. You do not take uke to make your partner look bad. You do not take ukemi to make your partner look good. Do not jump into a spectacular fall if the power is not there. Do not make a point of taking a bored and resisting fall to make it look as though your partner didn’t really throw you. Either way is dishonest. Remember, you take ukemi to avoid injury. You are not taking ukemi to show off.  Uke must only do what is appropriate to the situation. This requires much training and much soul searching.

Time, Technique, and Attendance Requirements for Dan Promotion

Please note the words “consistent training” on the time requirements below. This is very important. The stated requirements are bare minimums intended to apply to students who train 4 to 5 days a week for some time before their test and make the effort to train directly under ASU senior instructors (ranked 6^th Dan or above) at camps and seminars.

Promotion is not just a right acquired after a certain amount of time. It is a privilege and must be earned. Anyone not meeting these requirements must receive more training for the necessary maturity in rank so as to develop a deeper understanding, in order to be eligible for promotion.

The importance of attending seminars, intensives and camps are manifold. They

• Improve technical skills through practice with different senior students, either as training partners or under their direction as senior instructors;
• Encourage people to work with different people outside of their own dojo;
• Introduce newer students into the greater Aikido world;
• Give students a chance to train with an uchideshi of O-Sensei by having the opportunity to train under Saotome Sensei;
• Develop relationships between junior and senior students, as well as with instructors;
• Build relationships within the larger Aikido world: locally, nationally and internationally; and
• Enable candidates to get to know the people who might be uke on their tests.

For seminars/Intensives and camps that fulfill the requirements below, please see the ASU Policies page. Click here for test application forms and additional resources.

Shodan (120 training days and 12 months after receiving Ikkyu)

The candidate must have attended at least two full seminars/intensives or one ASU camp as above since attaining ikkyu grade and within two years of the shodan test. It is the responsibility of the instructor planning to recommend a student for testing to inform the directors of qualifying seminars/camps of the candidacy, so that the student may be observed more closely.

All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

• Kumi tachi: First five basic kata
• Tanto dori: A different technique from each – shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki, two different techniques from ushiro
• Tachi dori: A total of five different techniques. Attacks will be shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki
• Randori: Three people attacking

Nidan (Minimum 30 months and approximately 400 training days of consistent training after receiving Shodan)

Since attaining shodan rank and within two years of the scheduled examination date, the candidate must have at least attended three seminars/intensives or one ASU camp as above. It is the responsibility of the instructor planning to recommend a student for testing to inform the directors of qualifying seminars/camps of the candidacy, so that the student may be observed more closely.

All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

• Kumi tachi: First twelve basic kata
• Kumi jo: First six basic kata
• Randori: Three people attacking with shinai

Sandan (Minimum 3 1/2 years of consistent training after receiving Nidan)

Since attaining nidan rank and within two years of the scheduled examination date, the candidate must have at least attended three seminars/intensives or one ASU camp as above.

All basic techniques performed to demonstrate more understanding of the relationship of basic principle to the technique with maturity and clarity.

Ranking for Yondan and Above:

This is determined by recommendation of the Kagami Baraki Committee to the Board of ASU which, upon approval, will forward the recommendation to Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan. Candidates for these higher ranks will be expected to have had consistent attendance at many more seminars/camps than the minimum required above.

“True Budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings, and not killing or struggling with each other.”

Aikido Schools of Ueshiba

Code of Ethics

Introduction

The Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) is a membership organization whose stated mission is as follows:

The mission of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba is to preserve and disseminate the teachings and principles of Aikido, as transmitted by Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei to his direct disciple Mitsugi Saotome Shihan.

This ASU Code of Ethics is a guide to all members, both students and instructors, on the ethical and moral practices that should be adhered to in the practice and training of Aikido in the ASU.

This Code of Ethics compliments the Rules of the Dojo and Proper Dojo Etiquette as expressed in the ASU Handbook.

Because ASU does not have any corporate or legal responsibilities over, or liability for, the operation of any dojo or the specific conduct of any member, this Code of Ethics should be considered guiding principles and best practices for ASU members.

Code of Ethics

1. Respect

• 1. Respect for Aikido:  Instructors and students should understand O Sensei’s and Saotome Shihan’s vision of Aikido as a martial art of peace and conflict resolution.  Instruction, training and practice that is contrary to this vision should be discouraged.
  2. Respect for Instructors: Reaching instructor status in ASU takes a significant amount of training, testing and time.  All students should respect the instructors in their dojo and visiting instructors for their time, talent and training.
  3. Respect for Students:  Students have chosen to practice Aikido voluntarily.  Instructors need to respect this decision and make every effort to nurture the development of students who are training in Aikido.   Teaching should be done with a positive attitude.
  4. Mutual Respect: All members, whether they are instructors or students, should train in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
  5. Respect for the dojo:  Whether you practice in a formal dojo, in another martial art space or non-martial art facility, respect your space.  The dojo should be welcoming to instructors, students and visitors, and should provide a safe environment in which to train in Aikido.

2. Responsibility

• 1. Responsibility of Instructors:  Instructors have a significant and important role in Aikido.
     1. Instructors must try to faithfully pass down the teachings of O Sensei as they have been passed down to Saotome Shihan and his senior instructors.   Instructors should make an effort to attend seminars given by Saotome Shihan and senior instructors in ASU.
     2. Instructors must lead by example.  Good technique and good etiquette will   foster the same in students.
     3. Instructors shall ensure a safe training place for students.
     4. Instructors should never take advantage of their rank and status to inappropriately interact with their students.
  2. Responsibility of Students: Every student in Aikido has a responsibility to the dojo, to their instructors and to other students.  Students should know the ASU Rules of the Dojo and Proper Dojo Etiquette as set forth in the ASU Handbook.

3. Instruction

• 1. Giving Instruction:  Instruction should only be given by instructor level yudansha when possible and may be given by lower level yudansha when necessary.  Instruction in Aikido techniques should be clear through visual observation by students and physical interaction with other students and the instructor.
  2. Receiving Instruction: Students should closely observe the instruction being given and try to the best of their ability to following the techniques being shown by the instructor.  Sempai (senior students) should preferably lead Kohai (junior students) through techniques rather than talking them through techniques.

4. Training

• 1.  ASU Rules of the Dojo:  All instructors and students should be familiar with the ASU Handbook in general, and the ASU Rules of the Dojo and Proper Dojo Etiquette.
  2. If a dojo has children’s classes, then there should be two adults present at all children’s classes.  The adults may be instructors, other adult students or parents/guardians of the children.
  3. No discrimination:  O Sensei’s vision was to spread Aikido around the world.  Accordingly, ASU prohibits any discrimination, by instructors or students, based upon race, gender, age, sexual preference, religion, socio-economic status or national origin.
  4. Sexual harassment:  Sexual harassment by any member will not be tolerated whether that member is an instructor or a student.  Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that tends to create a hostile or offensive training or work environment.
  5. Students with Disabilities:  When possible, ASU encourages instructors and dojos to accept students with disabilities if the student can safely train.  It is the sole discretion of the head instructor of a dojo whether a student with a disability can safely train in Aikido.

5. Compliance with state and federal law.  All members of ASU must comply with state and federal law that may be related to the practice of Aikido as a martial art and the operation of a dojo.

6. Membership in ASU:  Membership in ASU is a privilege.  The ASU Board may, in their sole discretion, terminate or suspend the membership of any instructor or student that violates this Code of Ethics or brings disrepute upon the ASU.