Translation by J.R. David, Aikido de la Montagne and Fiona Blyth, New England Aikikai)

[Editor's Note: We are extremely happy to present the next installment of Tamura Sensei's book Aikido - Etiquette and Transmission. This work, which has been available only in French is here presented first time in English. We are grateful to Tamura Sensei for his permission to produce this version.

Many thanks also go to Stephane Benedetti, 5th Dan, Chief Instructor of Mutokukai Europe Dojo Mirabeau, and student of Tamura Sensei, who translated (from Japanese), edited and published the original version, which was published by Les Editions du Soleil Levant in 1991. Photos courtesy of Aikido - Etiquette and Transmission.]

Chapter 9 – Ranks (continued)

We shall explain the Aikikai rank system below.

Zaidan Hojin Aikikai

Official instructions regarding ranks

Article I - General remarks

Ranks range from 1st to 8th dan. They take into account technical ability, experience and services rendered to the discipline.

Ranks are awarded by the Aikido Doshu. Ranks can be awarded by one of two modes: examination or recommendation.

Article II - Required qualifications

All candidates postulating for a dan rank must comply with the two following requirements:

•  be a member of the Aikikai;

•  meet the following conditions:

•  to apply for a 1st to 4th dan exam, the applicant must meet the conditions expounded in the table (see below)

 

Dan	Minimum Years of Practice	Minimum Age	Date of Award
1st	2 years after beginning	20
2 nd	2 years after 1st dan
3 rd	3 years after 2nd dan		In principle, one
4 th	4 years after 3rd dan		time per year,
5 th	5 years after 4th dan		at Kagamibiraki
6 th	6 years after 5th dan	33	(New Year's)
7 th	12 years after 6th dan	45
8 th	15 years after 7th dan	60

 •  rank recommendation from 1st to 8th: minimum qualification conditions.

 Special cases

 The Aikikai can modify the application conditions of Article II after deliberations or by proposal of the ranking committee (cf. Article III), in the following cases:

 •  to award a rank to a confirmed teacher based on a recognized need

 •  to a diligent student with an exceptional knowledge of Aikido.

 Article III - Ranking committee

 Persons with the right to put forward candidates (by examination or recommendation).

 The juries are nominated for five years or multiple mandates. The committee is composed of high-ranking members (at least seventh dan) who are members of the Aikikai or of organizations tied to the Aikikai and designated by it.

 Article IV

 From 1 st to 4 th Dan – These grades can be awarded by the higher ranking committee or by an examination jury.

 5 th to 6 th Dan – These grades can be awarded by the higher ranking committee. All of these grades must be submitted to the approval of the Aikikai.

 7 th Dan and 8 th Dan – These grades are decided by the Aikikai, under the direction and authorization of Doshu.

 Special Cases – In the case of exceptional merit, Doshu may, notwithstanding Article 1, award 9 th or 10 th Dan.

 Article V

 If a dispute arises, the candidate may be brought forward to represent a grade.

 Article VI - Honorary Grades

 These grades are awarded according to the specific criteria below, without taking into account Article II. They are awarded by Doshu. Posthumous grades may be awarded by exceptional cases by suggestion of the Aikikai and with the final decision made by Doshu.

 

 

Article VII Kokusai Yudan-sha; International Yudansha card

Anyone possessing 1st Dan and above must possess an International Yudansha card

Article VIII Registration and rules for Examinations:

The examination rules, and registration regulations and other details are summarized in the table.

Zaidan Hojin Aikikai

Schedule of requirements for Kyu and Dan Examinations

Rank	Minimum duration of practice	Techniques
5th kyu	More than 30 days	Shomenuchi Ikkyo Katate tori Shihonage Shomenuchi Iriminage Suwari waza Kokyu Ho
4th kyu	More than 40 days	Shomen uchi Kiiyo Kata dori Nikyo Yokomen uchi Shihonage Shomen uchi Irmiminage Suwari waza Kokyu Ho
3rd kyu	More than 50 days	Shomenuchi Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo (Swari waza and Tachi waza) Ryote dori Shihonage Shomen uchi and Tsuki Iriminage & Kaitenage Ryote dori Techninage Suwari waza Kokyu Ho
2nd kyu	More than 50 days	Shomen uchi and Kata dori Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo (Swari waza and Tachi waza) Hanmi Handachi Katate tori Shihonage Shomen uchi, Tsuki & Katatedori Iriminage, Kotegaeshi & Kaitennage Ryote dori Techinage Katate dori Jiyu Waza Suwari waza Kokyu Ho
1st kyu	More than 60 days	Shomen uchi, Yokomen uchi, Kata dori Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo, Suwari waza and Tachi waza Ushiro Ryote Dori Ikkyo, Nikyo, Sankyo, Yonkyo Yokomenuchi Gokyo, Tachi Waza Katatedori, Ryote dori Shihonage (Hanmi handachi and Tachi waza) Shomenuchi Tuski & Katate dori Iriminage, Kotegaeshi, Kaitenage Ryote dori Techinage Katate dori, Ryote dori & Morote dori Jiyu Waza Suwari Waza & Tachi waza Kokyu Ho
1st Dan	More than 70 hours	All above techniques without weapons, suwari waza and Hanmi Handachi Tachiwaza: Shomenuchi, Yokomenuchi, Kta dori, Mune dori, Jiji dori, Te ushiro dori
2nd Dan	More than one year	All of the above plus Tanto dori, Futari Gake, and Oral examination on the subject “Impressions of Aikido”
3rd Dan	More than two years	All of the above plus Tachi dori Jo dori, Taninzu gake Oral examination on a subject to be determined.
4th Dan	More than two years and morer than 22 years of practice.	All of the above plus Jiyu waza, and an Essay.
Notes	One day = one day of effective practice. One year = at least 200 days of effective practice. Two Years = at least 300 days of effective practice. At the time of the examination, the partner must be, ideally, of a grade identical to the candidate. The candidates should complete the same technique on both right and left sides, and both omote and ura, until told to stop.