Grading examinations are held every six months, usually during March and September. Certificates up to and including Ikkyu (First Grade) are issued by Saburo Takayasu Sensei, 6th Dan Aikikai Shihan. Certificates for Shodan (First Degree) and above are issued by Aikikai World Headquarters, Tokyo via Takayasu Shihan.
Following is a list of the techniques to be demonstrated during grading tests:
Gokyu – Fifth Grade, Yellow Belt
Minimum of 30 classes (about 3 months) as a white belt (beginner).
Candidates need only demonstrate they understand the differences between and are able to perform the basic movements of the specified techniques. No speed or power is necessary.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Sankyo, from Shomen-uchi, omote and ura
- Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi, ura only
2. HANMI-HANDACHI SHIHO-NAGE from Katate-dori, omote waza
3. SHIHO-NAGE from Katate-dori, omote waza
4. KOTE-GAESHI from Mune-dori
5. KOKYU-NAGE from Morote-dori
6. IRIMI-NAGE from Shomen-uchi
7. KAITEN-NAGE (UCHI) from Katate-dori
Yonkyu – Fourth Grade, Yellow Belt
70 more classes (about 6 months) as a 5th Grade Yellow Belt.
Candidates need to demonstrate they understand the differences between and are able to perform the basic movements of the specified techniques, and to demonstrate the production of some speed and power.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Yonkyo, from Shomen-uchi, omote and ura
- Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi, ura only
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 1)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 1)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 1)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 1)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 1)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 1)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 1)
9. KEN SUBURI 1-3 (sword)
10. JO SUBURI 1-7 (staff)
Sankyu – Third Grade, Brown Belt
80 more classes (about 6 months) as a 4th Grade Yellow Belt.
Candidates are required to demonstrate the use of hip structure in generating power and stability, as well as being able to perform consistently the variety of techniques in a correct manner, with some speed, strength and to some extent Kokyu.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Yonkyo, from Shomen-uchi, omote and ura
- Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi, ura only
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 2)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 2)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 2)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 2)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 2)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 2)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 2)
9. KEN SUBURI 1-7 (sword)
10. JO SUBURI 1-10 (staff)
Nikyu – Second Grade, Brown Belt
120 more classes (about 9 months) as a 3rd Grade Brown Belt.
Candidates are required to demonstrate further development in their use of hip structure as well as being able to perform consistently the variety of techniques in a correct manner, with speed, strength and to some extent Kokyu.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 2)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 2)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 2)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 2)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 2)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 2)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 2)
9. TANTO-DORI (choose 2)
10. TACHI-DORI (choose 2)
11. JO-DORI (choose 2)
12. KEN SUBURI 1-7 (sword)
13. JO SUBURI 1-20 (staff)
Ikkyu – First Grade, Brown Belt
160 more classes (about 12 months) as a 2nd Grade Brown Belt.
The step before black belt, candidates are required to perform strongly and smoothly with a clear understanding of the techniques.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 3)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 3)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 3)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 3)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 3)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 3)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 3)
9. TANTO-DORI (choose 3)
10. TACHI-DORI (choose 3)
11. JO-DORI (choose 3)
12. HAPPO-GIRI (eight direction sword cut)
13. SANJUICHI-NO-JO (31 step staff kata)
14. KUMI-TACHI 1-3 (paired sword sets)
15. KUMI-JO 1-3 (paired staff sets)
Shodan – First Degree, Black Belt
180 more classes (about 1 year) as a 1st Grade Brown Belt.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have mastered the basics.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 3)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 3)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 3)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 3)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 3)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 3)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 3)
9. TANTO-DORI (choose 3)
10. TACHI-DORI (choose 3)
11. JO-DORI (choose 3)
12. NI-NIN KOKYU-NAGE
13. NI-NIN JIYU WAZA (free technique against two attackers)
14. KUMI-TACHI 1-5 (paired sword sets)
15. KUMI-JO 1-5 (paired staff sets)
16. SANJUICHI-NO-JO (31 step jo kata)
Nidan – Second Degree, Black Belt
2 years further training as a Shodan.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Yokomen-uchi
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 3)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 3)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 3)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 3)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 3)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 3)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 3)
9. TANTO-DORI (choose 3)
10. TACHI-DORI (choose 3)
11. JO-DORI (choose 3)
12. NI-NIN KOKYU-NAGE
13. SAN-NIN JIYU WAZA (free technique against three attackers)
14. KUMI-TACHI 1-5 (paired sword sets)
15. KUMI-JO 1-5 (paired staff sets)
16. SANJUICHI-NO-JO (31 step jo kata)
17. Any further techniques as requested by Sensei.
Sandan – Third Degree, Black Belt
3 years further training as a Nidan.
1. SUWARI-WAZA (seated techniques)
- Dai Ikkyo to Dai Gokkyo, from Kata-dori
2. HANMI-HANDACHI (choose 5)
3. SHIHO-NAGE (choose 5)
4. KOTE-GAESHI (choose 5)
5. KOKYU-NAGE (choose 5)
6. IRIMI-NAGE (choose 5)
7. KOSHI-NAGE (choose 5)
8. USHIRO-WAZA (choose 5)
9. TANTO-DORI (choose 5)
10. TACHI-DORI (choose 5)
11. JO-DORI (choose 5)
12. NI-NIN KOKYU-NAGE (choose 2)
13. SAN-NIN JIYU WAZA (free technique against three attackers)
14. KUMI-TACHI 1-5 (paired sword sets)
15. KUMI-JO 1-10 (paired staff sets)
16. KI-MUSUBI-NO-TACHI
17. SANJUICHI-NO-JO
18. SANJUICHI-NO-KUMI-JO (31 step paired jo kata)
19. Any further techniques as requested by Sensei.