2000 Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International

AIKIDO MINIMUM PROMOTION TEST REQUIREMENTS - KYU RANKS

7th KYU White belt with stripe. Minimum 2 months and 20 hours of training.
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Seiza - Sitting Japanese style with legs folded underneath Katatekosatori Kotegaeshi - Cross-hand wrist grab/
Shizentai - Natural stance with feet shoulder-width ”Wrist-turning” throw, pin
Orenaite - Unbendable arm, tested while in hanmi stance Katatori Ikkyo - Lapel grab/ “First teaching” and pin
Koho Tento Undo - Rolling backward and forward from Katatekosatori Kokyunage - Cross-hand wrist grab/
sitting, kneeling and standing positions “Timing throw,” controlling the head
Ushiro Ukemi, Rolling - Tumbling backward completely,
from kneeling and standing positions
Mae Ukemi, Rolling - Tumbling forward completely, from
kneeling and standing positions
Kokyudosa - Partner practice in seiza position; exercise to
develop timing or “breath” power
6th KYU Yellow belt. Minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after earning 7th Kyu.
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Ushiro Ukemi, Breakfall - Rolling backward with slap, and Shomenuchi Kokyunage - Downward strike to the head/
returning to standing position “Timing throw;” controlling the head
Mae Ukemi, Breakfall - Falling forward with slap, and Katatetori Shihonage - Same side wrist grab/ “Four
returning to standing position directions throw”
Empty Hand Strikes - Shomenuchi, Yokomenuchi, and Shomenuchi Iriminage - Downward strike to the head/
Munetsuki; demonstration of basic strikes “Entering throw”
Funakogi Undo - “Rowing exercise” Katatori Nikyo - Lapel grab/ “Second teaching” and pin
Shomenuchi Ikkyo Undo - Raising and lowering the arms as
if cutting with a sword
Renzoku Kokyudosa - Kokyudosa practiced continuously,
one side to another without pause
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5th KYU Yellow belt with stripe. Minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training after earning 6 Kyu.
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Hanmi No Kamae - “Half-body stance” Shomenuchi Kotegaeshi - Downward strike to the head/
Banzai no Kamae - Stance with feet shoulder-width and both “Wrist turning” throw and pin
arms raised Shomenuchi Ikkyo - Downward strike to the head/ “First
Zengo Undo - Raising and lowering arms as if cutting with a teaching” and pin
sword, with 180 degree pivoting motion Katatetori Sankyo - Same side wrist grab/ “Third
Happo Undo - Raising and lowering arms with movement as teaching;” both nage waza (throwing) and katame waza
if cutting in eight directions (pinning) variations required
Tekubikosa Undo - “Crossing the wrists exercise;” high and Yokomenuchi Sokumen Iriminage - Strike to the side of
low variations required the head/ “Side of the face, Entering throw” (technique
Kamae with Bokken - Demonstration of five basic sword performed in the manner of Sayu Undo)
stances Munetsuki Kotegaeshi - Thrusting strike to the chest /
Bokken and Jo Suburi - Demonstration of basic strikes with “Wrist turning” throw and pin
sword and staff Katatetori Kaitenage - Same side wrist grab/ “Rotary
throw”. Tenkan variation required
th
4th KYU Blue belt. Minimum 3 months and 30 hours of training since earning 5 Kyu, and prior attendance at 1 AAA Seminar
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Ushirosori - Bending backwards while in hanmi stance Yokomenuchi Shihonage - Strike to the side of the head/
Maekagami - Stooping forward while in hanmi stance “Four directions throw”
Sayu Undo - “Left and right exercise;” extending arms to the Ushirotekubitori Kokyunage - Wrists grasped from
left and right and sinking the hips behind/ “Timing throw;” variation in the manner of
Sayu Choyaku Undo - “Left and right exercise;” with stepping Ushirotekubitori Undo required
movement Ushirotekubitori Kotegaeshi - Wrists grasped from
Udefuri Undo - “Swinging the arms exercise” to left and right behind/ “Wrist turning” throw and pin
Udefuri Choyaku Undo - “Swinging the arms exercise” with Katatori Yonkyo - Lapel grab/ “Fourth teaching” and pin
stepping and turning motion Ryotetori Tenchinage - Grasping both wrists/ “Heaven
Ushirotori Undo - “Grasped from behind exercise” and Earth throw”
Ushirotekubitori Undo - “Wrists grasped from behind Ryotetori Kokyunage - Grasping both wrists/ “Timing
exercise” throw;” pivot throw variations required
Shikko - Walking and turning on one’s knees
Taisabaki Toshu - “Empty-hand body movement” against
Katatetori, Shomenuchi, Yokomenuchi and Munetsuki
attacks.

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3rd KYU Blue belt with stripe. Minimum 6 months and 60 hours of training since earning 4 Kyu, and prior attendance at one AAA Camp.
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Yoko Ukemi - “Side fall” exercise, from squatting Ushirohijitori Kotegaeshi - Grasping elbows from behind/ “Wrist-turning”
and standing position, from tumbling forward, throw and pin
and while hand is grasped by a partner Munetsuki Kokyunage - Thrusting strike to the chest / “Timing throw;” pivot-
Tenkan Undo - “Spinning change exercise;” turning throw variation required
body movement (direct pivot and step-with-pivot Katatori Gokyo - Lapel grab/ “Fifth teaching” and pin
variations required) Ushirotori Kokyunage - Grasping from behind (bearhug)/ “Timing throw;”
executed in the manner of Ushirotori Undo
Ryotetori Kaitenage - Grasping both wrists/ “Rotary throw”
Katateryotetori Nikyo - Grasping a forearm with both hands/ “Second
teaching” and pin
Suwariwaza (the following techniques performed from seated (seiza)
position):
Shomenuchi Kokyunage
Shomenuchi Ikkyo
Katatori Nikyo
Bokken Kata I - First sword form; 13 movements (“Happo Giri;” cutting in
eight directions)
Jiyu Waza - “Free technique;” defense against any grasping attack
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2nd KYU Brown belt. Minimum 6 months and 60 hours training and attendance at one Instructor’s Seminar since earning 3 kyu.
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Agura no Shisei - Sitting cross legged Ryokatatori Kokyunage - Grasping both lapels/ “Timing throw;” pivot-throw
Kata Ashiage - Raising one leg, hand extended in variations required
front Ushirokatatori Kokyunage - Grasping both shoulders from behind/ “Timing
Agaranai Karada - Unliftable body throw;” variation with bowing movement required
Questions - Verbal examination will be Katateryotetori Kokyunage - Grasping a forearm with both hands/ “Timing
administered by test committee on the following throw”
topics: Ryokatatori Kotegaeshi - Grasping both lapels / “Wrist-turning” throw, pin
Four Basic Principles of Aikido Katatori Menuchi Iriminage - Lapel grab with shomenuchi or yokomenuchi to
What is Aikido? head/ “Entering throw”
Meisoho – Questions regarding meditation training Hanmi Hantachi Waza (the following techniques performed from a seated
Kokyuho - Demonstration of and questions on (seiza) position against a standing attacker:
breathing training Katatetori Shihonage
Katatetori Sankyo
Munetsuki Kotegaeshi
Ryotetori Koshinage - Grasping both wrists/ “Hip throw”
Maegeri Kokyunage - Front snapping kick/ “Timing throw”
Jiyu Waza - “Free technique;” defense against any attack
Jo Kata I - First staff form; 22 movements
nd
1st KYU Brown belt with stripe. Minimum 6 months and 60 hours since earning 2 kyu.
Ki Tests and Exercises Technique
Tai Sabaki with Bokken - Body movement and Ushirotekubitori Jujinage - Grasp both wrists from behind/ Entwining the
striking with the sword against an opponent, arms in the shape of the Japanese number “10” (a cross) and throwing
against shomenuchi, yokomenuchi/ gyaku- Yokomenuchi Sudori - Strike to the side of the head/ “Disappearing” throw
yokomenuchi, sliding munetsuki, and stepping Katateryotetori Kotegaeshi - Grasping a forearm with both hands/ “Wrist
munetsuki attacks turning” throw and pin
Munetsuki Sumiotoshi - Thrusting attack to the chest/ “Corner drop” throw
Katatori Ganmenuchi Ikkyo - Lapel grab with straight punch to face/ “First
teaching” and pin
Tantodori - Defense against knife attacks; at least three techniques each
against shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, and munetsuki attacks required
Bokken Kata II - Second sword form; 13 movements
Randori - “Seizing chaos;” defense against multiple attackers (3)
IMPORTANT NOTES
1. These requirements are a minimum standard for the purposes of promotion testing; this is not a comprehensive listing of all the applications of technique with which
you must be familiar.
2. Many techniques have omote (front) and ura (rear) variations which you must demonstrate.
3. Many techniques have applications against both static and dynamic attacks which you must know.
4. In certain cases a particular variation of a technique is required and is noted above; you are encouraged, however, to demonstrate additional variations.
5. All tests are cumulative; you must be prepared to demonstrate exercises and techniques from all ranks prior to the one for which you are actually testing.
6. Requirements of attendance at Aikido Seminar, Camps, and Instructor Seminars are fulfilled only by AAA/AAI events.
7. All test candidates must complete the following prior to testing: (a) Dojo dues must be paid in full; (b) AAA or AAI annual dues must be paid up to date; (c)
Examination application form must be completed legibly and submitted to your instructor; (d) Examination fee must be paid.
8. No application for promotion testing will be accepted by the test committee without the knowledge and consent of the candidate’s instructor.

(kyu test reqs - adult.doc) Page 2 of 2 Updated 4/25/2000

 Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International
AIKIDO MINIMUM PROMOTION TEST REQUIREMENTS - DAN RANKS

Shodan Black Belt, 1st degree. Minimum 9 months and 90 hours of training, and attendance at one
Instructor’s Seminar since earning 1st kyu
Technique
Munetsuki - Free demonstration; minimum five arts
Yokomenuchi - Free demonstration; minimum five arts
Two written essays required:
Ushirotekubitori - Free demonstration; minimum five arts
“What is Aikido?”
Ryotetori - Free demonstration; minimum five arts
“What is Shugyo?”
Hanmi Hantachi - Free technique
Bokken Dori - “Seizing the wooden sword:” unarmed
defense against sword attack; minimum 3 techniques
each against shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, and munetsuki
attacks required
Jo Kata II - Second staff form; 22 movements
Randori - Defense against multiple attackers (4)
Nidan Black Belt, 2nd degree. Minimum 18 months and 50 hours as Assistant Instructor, attendance at one
Instructor’s Seminar or Camp since earning shodan
Technique
Katatori Ganmenuchi - Free demonstration; minimum five
arts
One written essay required:
Shomenuchi- Free demonstration; minimum five arts
“Aikido History and Future”
Hanmi Hantachi - Free technique against two attackers
Jo Dori - “Seizing the staff:” unarmed defense against staff
attack; minimum 3 techniques each against shomenuchi,
yokomenuchi, and munetsuki attacks required
Randori - Defense against multiple attackers (5)

Sandan Black Belt, 3rd degree. Minimum 30 months and 100 hours as Assistant Instructor, attendance at
one Instructor’s Seminar and one Camp since earning nidan
Technique
One written essay required: Jo Nage - “Throwing with the staff;” free demonstration
“Aikido Philosophy” Kumijo - Staff versus staff forms (5)
Kumitachi - Sword versus sword forms (6)
Randori - Defense against multiple attackers (6)

Yondan Black Belt, 4th degree. Minimum 42 months and 200 hours as Instructor, attendance at one
Instructor’s Seminar and one Camp since earning sandan
Technique
One written essay required: Kihon Waza - “Basic technique:” five-minute free
“Application of Aikido” demonstration
Henka Waza - “Changing technique:” five-minute free
demonstration
Interview with Shihan required Oyo Waza - “Applied or advanced technique:” five-minute
free demonstration
Instructional Methodology - Free demonstration of how
to instruct Kihon Waza and Oyo Waza

IMPORTANT NOTES
1. These requirements are a minimum standard for the purposes of promotion testing; this is not a comprehensive listing of all the applications of technique with
which you must be familiar.
2. Many techniques have omote (front) and ura (rear) variations which you must demonstrate.
3. Many techniques have applications against both static and dynamic attacks which you must know.
4. In certain cases a particular variation of a technique is required and is noted above; you are encouraged, however, to demonstrate additional variations.
5. All tests are cumulative; you must be prepared to demonstrate exercises and techniques from all ranks prior to the one for which you are actually testing.
6. Requirements of attendance at Aikido Seminar, Camps, and Instructor Seminars are fulfilled only by AAA/AAI events.
7. All test candidates must complete the following prior to testing: (a) Dojo dues must be paid in full; (b) AAA or AAI annual dues must be paid up to date; (c)
Examination application form must be completed legibly and submitted to your instructor; (d) Examination fee must be paid.
8. No application for promotion testing will be accepted by the test committee without the knowledge and consent of the candidate’s instructor.

(kyu test reqs - adult.doc) Page 1 of 1 Updated 4/25/2000