Testing requirements kyu levels

Hi all,

I feel I have to change the testing requirements for the kyu levels.
When I look at the requirements of the Hombu dojo they don't ask to much.
What are your ideas about testing requirements:
1. What do you ask for a particular kyu level
2. What is the time between the kyu levels

Allthough I am not affiliated to any organisation at this moment (only for a short while) it will be an Aikikai affiliated organisation again.

Here is a link to what I do at this moment (it is a list of the old dojo I used to practise and teach) kyu requirements page 12 and 13.

Thanks for sharing and thinking.

Arjan

I find a lot to do with gradings is the mindset you are put in prior to it, for example we have "here is what is normally required however they might ask for this this or this" plus what ever we have practiced in the course on the exam day which puts a different angle on it completely not to mention added pressure.

Hi Arjan,
it is not me to give you advice (only 3rd kyu), so I just share a few thoughts:

While it is important to know some techniques, I would much more emphasize on how they are presented, even if it is not written it your grading requirements, I guess it is something you watch while testing.

My sensei always says:
6th kyu: just know the few words and know the footwork (steps)
5th kyu: fluent presentation of technique, even if presentation does not always look good.
4th kyu: respond immediately after the technique is being called (that means, even uke has to attack immediately) without any hesitation. Basic principles must be applied well.
...

I cannot quote them well, as for me as testee, they are not really important. I have to know my techniques, and I have to improve constantly. I watch carefully all the corrections I am told, without any distinction, if they are important for my next grading or only 2nd next, 3rd next.

Sometimes sensei says, "you have to improve ..., but that is tested only at sandan level."
I take it as commendation, as at that time I did not make too much mistakes typical for my level. But nevertheless, it is a thing I have to try to improve.

So sorry, that I cannot quote all the details of the requirements.

Kind regards Dirk

I was also shocked when I saw the testing requirements when I was visiting Honbu. However, I don't that schedule would work in the West. We are too big headed as a society. People already talk about the folks that want to know how long to get a black belt. Those reuirements would let these people acquire their goal in about 2 years! Can you just imagine how our art would look like to the general public with those fools bragging about themselves everywhere they go!? Plus, the Japanese don't put that much emphasis on the black belt like we do for they already know that it only means that they are just beginning to understand the art while we think that one has mastered it.

Belonging to the Okinawa Aikikai, I can tell you how they interpret the Hombu requirements (as much as I can really see... being a beginner).

The Hombu page say lists 30 days. That's not necessarily one month. That's 30 training days with a training day considered as one hour of dojo time. Say you do three one and a half hour classes a week which is 4 1/2 hours a week which turns into 18 hours a month while is actually approx 7 weeks of decent training for the first belt. If you study less than that, it takes you longer. Say you're going only once or twice a week...its going to be considerably longer. Also, the requirements are the bare minimum. Realistically, you should start to pick up the other things but when they tell you to do irimi nage, you better be able to do it.

Yes, people can become Shodan in 2 years... but it requires dedicated study. Realize, those training days are the minimum. Just because you hit that many days doesn't mean you're even ready! The Hombu lodge actually has an intensive 1 year shodan program.

I think people get too hung up over shodan, from what I've heard... it's only the beginning.

oops

I think most American aikido student realized shodan is only the beginning. Also, the one year or 2 year shodans are likely training several hours a day every day. Not just 2-3 times a week for an hour or two.

I think one should look at the test requirements as a minimum only. That is, you have the right to add what ever you want to the test as long as you cover the basic requirements. I'm sure they could care less what you do above and beyond the minimums.

These are the requirements that I use with my kids classes. They go twice a week for 1.25 hours for a 7 month period (elemenary school club) and range in age from 5-10.

15TH Kyu
 Seiza
 Zazen
 Funakogi Ki Undo
 Menuchi Ki Undo
 Suwari Waza Mae Ukemi
 Suwari Waza Ushiro Ukemi
 Yoko Ukemi Undo
 Ushiro Ukemi Undo

14TH Kyu
 Migi Kamae
 Hidari Kamae
 Tachi Waza Mae Ukemi
 Tachi Waza Ushiro Ukemi
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Kokyu Nage

13TH Kyu
 Seiza
 Zazen
 Migi Kamae
 Hidari Kamae
 Funakogi Ki Undo
 Menuchi Ki Undo
 Suwari Waza Mae Ukemi
 Suwari Waza Ushiro Ukemi
 Yoko Ukemi Undo
 Ushiro Ukemi Undo
 Tachi Waza Mae Ukemi
 Tachi Waza Ushiro Ukemi
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Kokyu Nage
 Suwari Waza Rytote Dori Kokyu Dosa

12TH Kyu
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Sumi Otoshi
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Ryote Dori Tenchi Nage
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Morote Dori Kokyu Nage
 Hanmi Handachi Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Kokyu Nage
 Hanmi Handachi Ushiro Ryo Kata Dori Kokyu Nage
 Tachi Waza Mae Tobi Ukemi
 Tachi Waza O-Ukemi
 Tachi Waza Mae Ki no Nagare Ukemi
 Tachi Waza Yoko Ki no Nagare Ukemi

11TH Kyu
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Gyaku Kote Gaeshi Omote
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Omote
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Shiho Nage Omote
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Irimi Nage Omote
 Suwari Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Gyaku Kote Gaeshi Omote
 Suwari Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Omote
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Kote Gaeshi Omote
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Omote
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Shiho Nage Omote
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Irimi Nage Omote
 Suwari Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Kote Gaeshi Omote
 Suwari Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Omote
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Gyaku Kote Gaeshi Ura
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Ura
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Shiho Nage Ura
 Tachi Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Irimi Nage Ura
 Suwari Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Gyaku Kote Gaeshi Ura
 Suwari Waza Gyaku Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Ura
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Kote Gaeshi Ura
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Ura
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Shiho Nage Ura
 Tachi Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Irimi Nage Ura
 Suwari Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Kote Gaeshi Ura
 Suwari Waza Ai Hanmi Katate Dori Ikkyo Ura


Might help ... might cause more confusion.

KAI

With regards to testing for kyu levels from different styles.

If someone is a green or orange belt in aikiki aikido and they join a yoshinkan school, will they need to start at white belt or will they be credited for their previous belts in the different style, albeit with some catching up to do?

What is generally done in the organisation I train with (White Rose Aikikai) is that the person joining is allowed to keep their previous grade, and when their grading next comes up they are either promoted to the next grade, or their currewnt grade is recognised by Sensei, almost like it being ratified.

I belong to the Aikido Association of America. Our requirements for the Kyu tests vary from other organizations I have seen. They can be found at the following link:
AAA & AAI Test Requirements

Hope this helps.