Grading Structure
It is important to realise that the grouping of these techniques is not arbitrary.
The structure of these grades contains a logical progression - one which makes it possible to internalise principles.
These principles, once deepened into reactions, allow infinite variations against any form of attack; conventional or otherwise.
Principles underlying gradings
For each technique listed below both omote (interior) and ura (exterior) forms need to be known and demonstrated.
There is often more than one possible version (particularly in 3rd Kyu and above). As a general principle, where there is a choice, the basic technique (often leading to a backward breakfall) should be performed first. If time allows more advanced versions can then be demonstrated.
In the aikikai we do not signal our grade to others during the practice (badges or coloured belts). These grades are a personal progression for each of us - signifying the development of a personal, kinaesthetic repertoire.
The 'at least ... months ...' statements below come from the Hombu Dojo. It is very unlikely that anyone would be able to learn what is required in these times. For the vast majority of people much longer periods need to be envisaged.
5th Kyu - at least 2 months practice
Tachi waza (Both standing) | Ikkyo (first principle) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori |
Shomen Uchi | ||
Irimi Nage (entering throw) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Shomen Uchi | ||
Shiho Nage (four directional throw) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Tenchi Nage (heaven and earth) | Katate Dori | |
Suwari waza (Both kneeling) | Kokyu Ho (breathing exercise) | Ryote Dori |
Shikko (Knee walking) |
4th Kyu - at least 3 months from 5th Kyu
Tachi waza | Ikkyo | Katate Dori |
Kata Dori | ||
Nikkyo (second principle) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Katate Dori | ||
Kata Dori | ||
Sankyo (third principle) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Kote Gaeshi (wrist-out-turn) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Shomen Uchi | ||
Katate Dori | ||
Shiho Nage | Yokomen Uchi (Angular strike) | |
Ude Kimi Nage (under elbow) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Katate Dori | ||
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Irimi Nage | Katate Dori | |
Uchi Kaiten Nage (under-rotary-throw) | Katate Dori | |
Tenchi Nage | Ryote Dori | |
Sokumen Irimi Nage (Reverse entering) | Katate Dori | |
Suwari waza | Ikkyo | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori |
Shomen Uchi | ||
Irimi Nage | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Shomen Uchi |
3rd Kyu - at least 6 months from 4th Kyu
Tachi waza | Ikkyo | Ryote Dori |
Kata Ryote Dori | ||
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Nikkyo | Katate Ryote Dori | |
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Shomen Uchi | ||
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Sankyo | Shomen Uchi | |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Yonkyo (fourth principle) | Shomen Uchi | |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Kote Gaeshi | Katate Ryote Dori | |
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Shiho Nage | Ryote Dori | |
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Ude Kimi Nage | Katate Ryote Dori | |
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Irimi Nage | Ueshiro Ryote Dori | |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Soto Kaiten Nage (outside-rotary-throw) | Katate Dori | |
Sokumen Irimi Nage | Katate Ryote Dori | |
Kokyu Nage ('breath' throw) | Various grasps | |
Suwari waza | Ikkyo | Katate Dori |
Kata Dori | ||
Nikyo | Katate Dori | |
Kata Dori | ||
Shomen Uchi | ||
Sankyo | Shomen Uchi | |
Yonkyo | Shomen Uchi | |
Kote Gaeshi | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Hamni Handachi waza | Shiho Nage | Katate Dori |
(Attacker standing) | Uchi Kaiten Nage | Katate Dori |
Irimi Nage | Shomen Uchi |
2nd Kyu - at least 7 months from 3rd Kyu
Tachi waza | Ikkyo | Kata Dori Men Uchi |
Ueshiro Ryo Kata Dori | ||
Ueshiro Ryo Hiji Dori | ||
Nikyo | Kata Dori Men Uchi | |
Ueshiro Ryo Kata Dori | ||
Sankyo | Katate Dori | |
Kata Dori | ||
Kata Dori Men Uchi | ||
Ueshiro Ryo Kata Dori | ||
Yonkyo | Katate Dori | |
Kata Dori | ||
Gokyo (fifth principle) | Yokomen Uchi | |
Shiho Nage | Kata Dori Men Uchi | |
Shomen Uchi | ||
Irimi Nage | Ryote Dori | |
Katate Ryote Dori | ||
Kata Dori Men Uchi | ||
Chudan Tsuki | ||
Kote Gaeshi | Ryote Dori | |
Kata Dori Men Uchi | ||
Uchi Kaiten Nage | Shomen Uchi | |
Soto Kaiten Nage | Shomen Uchi | |
Kokyu Nage | Various strikes | |
Hiji Kimi Osae ('against' elbow) | Jodan Tsuki | |
Sumi Otoshi (corner drop) | Katate Dori | |
Aiki Otoshi ('take knees' drop) | Katate Dori | |
Koshi Nage (Hip Throw) | Ai Hanmi Katate Dori | |
Katate Dori | ||
Juji Garami ('wrap up' elbows) | Ueshiro Ryote Dori | |
Sokumen Irimi Nage | Mae Ryo Kata Dori | |
Ueshiro Ryote Dori | ||
Ueshiro Ryo Kata Dori | ||
Suwari waza | Ikkyo | Ryo Kata Dori |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Nikyo | Ryo Kata Dori | |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Sankyo | Kata Dori | |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Yonkyo | Yokomen Uchi | |
Gokyo | Katate Dori | |
Irimi Nage | Katate Dori | |
Yokomen Uchi | ||
Hamni Handachi waza | Kote Gaeshi | Shomen Uchi |
(Attacker standing) | Shiho Nage | Ryote Dori |
Soto Kaiten Nage | Katate Dori |
1st Kyu - at least 8 months from 2nd Kyu
Tachi waza | Ikkyo | Ueshiro Eri Dori |
Jodan Tsuki | ||
Other situations | ||
Nikyo | Chudan Tsuki | |
Jodan Tsuki | ||
Other situations | ||
Sankyo | Chudan Tsuki | |
Jodan Tsuki | ||
Other situations | ||
Yonkyo | Other situations | |
Gokyo | Shomen Uchi | |
Kote Gaeshi | Chudan Tsuki | |
Ueshiro Eri Dori | ||
Ueshiro Katate Dori Kubi Shime | ||
Shiho Nage | Muna Dori | |
Jodan Tsuki | ||
Ueshiro Eri Dori | ||
Ueshiro Katate Dori Kubi Shime | ||
Irimi Nage | Jodan Tsuki | |
Kaiten Nage | Jodan Tsuki | |
Chudan Tsuki | ||
various situations | ||
Jugi Garami | Katate Ryote Dori | |
Ude Kimi Nage | All attacks | |
Hiji Kimi Osae | All attacks | |
Koshi Nage | All attacks | |
Sumi Otoshi | All possible attacks | |
Suwari waza | Kote Gaeshi | Yokomen Uchi |
Gokyo | Shomen Uchi | |
Hamni Handachi waza | Ikkyo | Shomen Uchi |
(Attacker standing) | Nikyo | Shomen Uchi |
Katate Dori | ||
Gokyo | Shomen Uchi |