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.
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Level
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Prerequisite
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Examination Content
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1st dan
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70 days of practice after obtaining 1st kyu, (15 years or older)
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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.
Submit an article on an Aikido-related subject (word count and topic will be assigned prior following exam registration).
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2nd dan
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Minimum 1 year since 1st dan, with 200 days of practice
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Same as above plus tanto-dori and futarigake.
Submit an article on an Aikido-related subject.
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3rd dan
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Minimum 2 years since 2nd dan, with 300 days of practice
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Same as above plus tachi-dori, jo-dori and taninzugake.
Submit an article on an Aikido-related subject.
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4th dan
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Minimum 3 years since 3rd dan, with 400 days of practice, (22 years or older)
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Jiyuwaza for all of the above plus a short essay.
Submit an article on an Aikido-related subject.
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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".
