Aikido Testing Requirements
2006
U.S. Aikido Federation Promotion Requirements

Please note; bold items are additional requirements for sankyu, nikkyu and ikkyu tests at Capital Aikikai

5th Kyu (60 practice days)
  1. Shomenuchi Ikkyo (omote/ura)
  2. Shomenuchi Iriminage
  3. Katatetori Shihonage (omote/ura)
  4. Ryotetori Tenchinage
  5. Tsuki Kotegaeshi
  6. Ushire Tekubitore Kotegaeshi
  7. Morotetori Kokyuho

4th Kyu (80 practice days)
  1. Shomenuchi Nikkyo (omote/ura)
  2. Yokomenuchi Shihonage (omote/ura)
  3. Tsuki Iriminage
  4. Ushiro Tekubi Sankyou (omote)
  5. Ushiro Ryokatatori Kotegaeshi
  6. Suwari Waza:

3rd Kyu (100 practice days)
  1. Yokomenuchi Iriminage (two ways)
  2. Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
  3. Tsuki Kaitennage
  4. Ushiro Ryokatatori Sankyo (omote/ura)
  5. Morotetori Iriminage (two ways)
  6. Shomenuchi Sankyo (omote/ura)
  7. Suwari Waza:
  8. Hanmi-Handachi:
  9. Tachitori & Jotori:
    Shomenuchi/Tsuki

2nd Kyu (200 practice days)
  1. Shomenuchi Shihonage
  2. Shomenuchi Kaitennage
  3. Yokomenuchi Gokyo
  4. Ushiro Tekubitori Shihonage
  5. Ushiro Tekubitori Jujinage
  6. Ushiro Kubishime Koshinage
  7. Morotetori Nikkyo
  8. Hanmi-Handachi:
  9. Tachitori & Jotori:
    Shomenuchi/Tsuki
  10. Freestyle-two people

1st Kyu (300 practice days)
  1. Katatori Menuchi-five techniques
  2. Yokomenuchi-five techniques
  3. Morotetori-five techniques
  4. Shomenuchi-five techniques
  5. Ryotetori-five techniques
  6. Koshinage-five techniques
  7. Tantotori
  8. Hanmi-Handachi (Ushiro Waza-five techniques)
  9. Tachitori & Jotori
  10. Freestyle-three people

Sho-Dan (400 practice days)
  1. All of 1st Kyu requirements
  2. Tachitori
  3. Jotori
  4. Henkawaza**
  5. Freestyle-four people


Ni-Dan (600 practice days)
  1. Attend two seminars per year after Sho-Dan
  2. All of Sho-Dan requirements
  3. Tachitori-two people
  4. Freestyle-five people
  5. Kaeshiwazza***


San-Dan (700 practice days)
  1. Attend two seminars per year after Ni-Dan. Subject of exam to be determined by examiner at the time of the exam
Note: Time requirements are counted from the last test

*    Uchi and Soto Mawari-both inside (uchi) and cut-side (soto) movements.
**    Hankawaza-switching from one technique to another. Examiner will call the first technique.
***    Kaeshiwaza-counter techniques. Uke applies the technique to nage. Original technique will be called by examiner (e.g., to apply sankyo against nikkyo).
Those people wishing to test must first ask Sensei for permission. After having received permission, you may request test forms. These forms must be filled out and turned in (together with the appropriate fees) prior to the date of the test.
Fee schedule:
Yudansha:fees fluctuate, based on the current yen/dollar exchange rate Kyu ranks: $25
In addition to these testing fees, if you are testing for 5th kyu, you must also join the United States Aikido Federation if you have not already done so ($20/year) and purchase a Yukyusha Book ($5, one-time charge.) Payments should be made either in cash or by a separate check, made payable to Capital Aikikai with a note in the memo section itemizing the various charges.
(Please note new requirements for sankyu, nikkyu and ikkyu tests....)


Glossary of Words of Attack

  1. Hanmi Handachi- uke standing, nage sitting
  2. Hanmi-Handachi- uke standing, nage sitting
  3. Henkawaza- switching from one technique to another
  4. Jotori- staff techniques
  5. Kaeshiwaza-
  6. Katatetori-one hand grab to wrist
  7. Katatori-one hand grab to collar
  8. Morotetori-two hands on one
  9. Ryotetori-both wrists grabbed from the front
  10. Shomenuchi-strike to forehead
  11. Soto Mawari-outside movements
  12. Suwari Waza-techniques from sitting
  13. Tachitori-attack with sword
  14. Tantotori-attack with knife
  15. Tsuki-thrust or punch
  16. Uchi Mawari-inside movements
  17. Ushiro Kubishime-choke from behind with free hand grabbing wrist
  18. Ushiro Ryokatatori-both shoulders grabbed from behind
  19. Ushiro Tekubitori-both wrists grabbed from behind
  20. Ushiro Waza-any attack from behind

FEE Schedule

Kyu ranks:  $35.00
Shodan:      $210.00
Nidan:        $205.00
Sandan:      $300.00

In addition to these testing fees, if you are testing for 5th kyu, you must also join the United States Aikido Federation if you have not already done so ($30.00year) and purchase a Yukyusha Book ($5.00 one time charge). Please note that there is no membership application to fill out-your membership will take effect when your rank is issued by the USAF.
Payments should be made by check if possible, made payable to Capital Aikikai with a note in the memo section itemizing the various charges.

Testing Procedures

Those people wishing to test at Capital must first ask Sensei Roy for permission. After having received permission, you may obtain test forms from your dojo or at www.capitalaikikai.org
PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING BOTH YOUR COMPLETED PAPERWORK AND YOUR PAYMENT WITH YOU ON THE DAY OF YOUR TEST
One final note: Capital Aikikai prefers to have people use the front entrance.
Home Page