I think the reason for awarding grades at Kyu level is slightly different to that at Dan grade.
I've often seen Kyu grades been awarded where the ability wasn't sufficient. However I believe this is usually to encourage someone (especially younger people) who have been working particularly hard or a long time, but still cannot do it well.
To me these gradings are a way of putting the techniques in a formal order and helping people to think - yes, I CAN do these techniques 'cos I graded for them. This is particularly important in Aikido, where no-one ever feels they have mastered a technique. If gradings help to encourage people to advance, I think that's OK.
However, Dan gradings (and 1st kyu) are more about what that grade would mean to other students (i.e. it gives them authority) and therefore I would not think that such gradings be awarded lightly.
Ian
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