Examination Criteria
KYU Examinations
| KYU | Admission Conditions | Control Exercises | Solo Waza (Technique) | Joint Waza (Technique) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Kyu | The candidate must have a minimum of 30 hours of training since starting aikido and must have passed the Sho Kyu exam (beginner Ki test level) | Ushiro ukemi waza (seated and standing). Standing execution may be waived due to the candidate's age or physical limitations. Must know the Five Principles of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido. | 1.Udemawashi waza 2.Udefuri waza 3.Udefuri choyaku waza 4.Sayu waza |
1.Katate kosadori kokyunage 2.Katatedori tenkan kokyunage — Waza 1 and 2 are performed in kaisho (static execution) |
| The decision to take the exam is made after all requirements are fulfilled | Waza 1 and 2 are performed in sosho (dynamic execution) | |||
| 4th Kyu | The candidate must have a minimum of 30 hours of training after obtaining 5th Kyu | Zempo kaiten waza. This exercise may be waived due to the candidate's age or physical limitations. Must know the Four Principles of Mind and Body Unification by heart. | 5.Ikkyо waza 6.Zengo waza 7.Happo waza 8.Zenshin koshin waza |
3.Katadori ikkyo (irimi, tenkan) 4.Munetsuki koteoroshi 5.Yokomenuchi shihonage (irimi, tenkan) 6.Shomenuchi kokyunage — Waza 3–6 are performed in kaisho (static execution) |
| Waza 3–6 are performed in sosho (dynamic execution) | ||||
| 3rd Kyu | The candidate must have a minimum of 40 hours of training after obtaining 4th Kyu and must have passed the Chu Kyu exam (intermediate Ki test level) | 9.Funakogi waza 10.Nikyo waza 11.Sankyo waza 12.Koteoroshi waza |
7.Katadori nikyo (irimi, tenkan) 8.Katadori sankyo (irimi, tenkan) 9.Katadori yonkyo (irimi, tenkan) 10.Yokomenuchi kokyunage (zemponage) 11.Ryotedori kokyunage (zemponage) — Waza 7–11 are performed in kaisho (static execution) |
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| Waza 7–11 are performed in sosho (dynamic execution) | ||||
| 2nd Kyu | The candidate must have a minimum of 40 hours of training after obtaining 3rd Kyu | 13.Kaho tekubi kosa waza 14.Joho tekubi kosa waza 15.Ushirodori waza 16.Ushiro tekubidori zenshin waza 17.Ushiro tekubidori koshin waza |
12.Ushiro tekubidori kokyunage (zemponage) 13.Ushiro tekubidori kubijime sankyonage 14.Ryotedori kokyu nage (tenchi nage) (irimi, tenkan) 15.Ushirodori kokyunage 16.Katatedori ryotemochi kokyunage (en undo) — Waza 12–16 are performed in kaisho (static execution) |
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| Waza 12–16 are performed in kaisho (static execution) and sosho (dynamic execution) | ||||
| 1st Kyu | The candidate must have a minimum of 60 hours of training after obtaining 2nd Kyu and must have passed the Jo Kyu exam (advanced Ki test level) | Examined on waza 1 through 17 | Waza 1–16 are performed in kaisho (static execution) | |
| 17.Zagi handachi shomenuchi kokyunage 18.Zagi handachi munetsuki koteoroshi (katameru) 19.Zagi handachi yokomenuchi kokyunage (zemponage) 20.Munetsuki kokyunage (zemponage) 21.Munetsuki kokyunage (sudori) 22.Munetsuki kokyunage (kaiten nage) 23.Katatedori ryotemochi koteoroshi 24.Katatedori ryotemochi kokyunage (hachi no ji) 25.Yokomenuchi koteoroshi (en undo) 26.Yokomenuchi kokyunage (hachi no ji) 27.Shomenuchi koteoroshi 28.Shomenuchi ikkyo (irimi, tenkan) 29.Ushiro tekubidori koteoroshi 30.Ushiro tekubidori ikkyo — Waza 17–30 are performed in sosho (dynamic execution) |
Kaisho — static execution (literally — block script style)
Sosho — dynamic execution (literally — cursive script style)
* The candidate performs techniques in the role of both nage and uke.
** The table contains two row types: formal (white background) and discretionary (gray background).
The first standard (formal) — minimum training hours, a mandatory requirement.
The second standard (discretionary) — the examiner evaluates the candidate's readiness.
DAN Examinations
| DAN | Admission Conditions | Control Exercises | Solo & Joint Waza (Technique) | Next Waza (Technique) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Dan | The candidate must have a minimum of 80 hours of training after obtaining 1st Kyu | Write the Four Basic Principles of Mind and Body Unification + the Five Principles of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido | 7 techniques + kengi + jogi + randori with 3 people | |
| 2nd Dan | The candidate must have a minimum of 160 hours of training and at least 1 year after obtaining 1st Dan | Write the Four Basic Principles of Mind and Body Unification + the Five Principles of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido | 10 techniques + kengi dai ichi/ni + jogi dai ichi/ni + randori with 4 people | Taigi 1–9 (excluding the 5th) |
| 3rd Dan | The candidate must have a minimum of 320 hours of training and at least 2 years after obtaining 2nd Dan. Must have passed the Shoden exam (Ki test). | Write the Four Basic Principles of Mind and Body Unification + the Five Principles of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido | 10 techniques + randori with 5 people | Taigi 10–19 (excluding the 15th) |
| 4th Dan | The candidate must have a minimum of 480 hours of training and at least 3 years after obtaining 3rd Dan. Must have passed the Chuden exam (Ki test). Application must be submitted in advance. | Solo waza from 5th to 2nd Kyu with Ki tests. Kengi + jogi dai ichi/ni. | Taigi 21–24 (excluding the 15th) |
* The candidate performs techniques in the role of both nage and uke.
** Individuals over 60 years of age may be exempted from certain requirements.
Ki Tests
Below are the Ki test requirements. Ki tests are mandatory prerequisites for admission to the corresponding kyu and dan examinations.
Sho Kyu — Beginner Level Ki Tests
Required for admission to 5th kyu exam
Solo Waza
- Tachisugata-no toitsu
- Orenai ude
- Mochiagaranai ude
- Seiza-no toitsu
- Tachisugata-kara seiza, oyobi seiza-kara tachisugata-ni naru tochyu-no toitsu
- Toitsu karada-ni yoru kokuho
Joint Waza
- Aiki-taiso
Chu Kyu — Intermediate Level Ki Tests
Required for admission to 3rd kyu exam
Solo Waza
- All solo waza from Sho Kyu exam
- Agura sugata-no toitsu
- Tekubi-o mae-ni dashite toitsu
- Koho-ni sotte toitsu
- Zempo-ni kagande toitsu
- Mochiagaranai shintai
Jo Kyu — Advanced Level Ki Tests
Required for admission to 1st kyu exam
Solo Waza
- All solo waza from Chu Kyu exam
- Aite-ni yorikakatte toitsu (zempo-ni yorikakaru, koho-ni yorikakaru)
- Tekubi-o mae-ni dashi, kata ashi-de tatte toitsu
- Ryote-o agete toitsu
- Koho-kara dakitsukasete zempo-ni aruku
- Agura sugata-de zempo-kara ryokata-o osasete toitsu
Note: There are also master-level Ki tests: Shoden (beginning master level) — required for 3rd dan, and Chuden (intermediate master level) — required for 4th dan.