Wow, it's been a while again.

Sorry for the lack of posts last month, I've been prepping for my shodan exam and haven't had a lot of spare time to write. Here's a list of all the requirements.

Rokyu (30 hours/3 months)

Tenkan
Shomenuchi ikkyo and iriminage
Munetsuki kotegaeshi
Katate dori shihonage
Yokomenuchi shihonage
Kokyu tanden ho

Gokyu (60 hours/4 months)
All previous techniques plus:

Shomenuchi nikyo
Kata dori ikkyo and nikyo
Munetsuki kaitennage

Yonkyu (60 hours/4 months)
All previous techniques plus:

Shomenuchi sankyo and yonkyo
Yokomenuchi ikkyo, kotegaeshi and iriminage
Ryote dori tenchinage and shihonage
Katate dori ryote mochi kokyu tanden ho

Sankyu (70 hours/4 months)
All previous techniques plus:

Ushiro ryokata dori ikkyo
Ushiro ryote dori shihonage
Ushiro kubi shime kotegaeshi
Ushiro waza kokyunage
Nikyu (80 hours/6 months)
All previous techniques plus:

Yokomenuchi nikyo, sankyo and yonkyo
Koshinage from shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, katate dori and munetsuki

Hanmi handachi:

Katate dori shihonage
Ryote dori shihonage

Suwariwaza:

Shomenuchi ikkyo
Kata dori ikkyo
Yokomenuchi ikkyo

Ikkyu (90 hours/6 months)
All previous techniques plus:

Jiyu waza:

Standing
Hanmi handachi
Suwariwaza

Tanto dori:

Munetsuki
Shomenuchi
Yokomenuchi


Requirements For Yudansha Examination [top]

Aikido has a basic structure, kihon waza, which allows you to study the fundamental principles of the art. The structure of this training process is the same as a scientific formula. As a formula is an exacting international language that allows scientists to communicate and explore the depths of scientific principle, kihon waza is an international language allowing Aikidoka from all over the world to communicate and explore the basic truths of Aikido. If this basic structure is lost, Aikido is lost.

During the examination you are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the art through this very exacting structure of kihon waza, clearly and precisely, not your personal ideas or your personal expression. Yudansha examination is not performance art.

The following points are critical:

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The execution of formal kihon waza, an understanding of it’s proper application and of the fundamental principles it demonstrates - most importantly kokyu; musubi; irimi tenkan.
*

Hanmi at all times; before, during, at the conclusion of and following the technique.
*

Control of your own center; control of your partner’s center; control of the technique.
*

Application of power appropriate to the attack.
*

The proper pinning technique to demonstrate the conflict is finished.
*

Timing.
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Zanshin.
*

Attitude.
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Martial Awareness.

The Proper Role of Uke in Yudansha Examination [top]

Taking ukemi for yudansha examination is a very serious responsibility. Each technique is developed to study a specific direction and application of force. As uke you must understand this and have the ability to give an honest, strong and focused attack that is appropriate for the technique required.

A weak attack is unacceptable. A deceptive attack is unacceptable. Since you know the technique your partner is being asked to demonstrate it is easy to stop it’s execution.

There are no friends or enemies during examination. It is not uke’s job to make value judgements. You do not take ukemi to make your partner look bad. You do not take ukemi to make your partner look good. Do not jump into a spectacular fall if the power is not there. Do not make a point of taking a bored and resisting fall to make it look as though your partner didn’t really throw you. Either way is dishonest. Remember, you take ukemi to avoid injury. You are not taking ukemi to show off. Uke must only do what is appropriate to the situation. This requires much training and much soul searching.
Time and Technique Requirements for Dan Promotion [top]

Shodan (120 hours and 12 months after receiving ikkyu)

A candidate must have attended at least two seminars with Saotome Shihan and/or Ikeda Shihan since attaining ikkyu grade. During the seminar it is the responsibility of the regional instructor to inform the Shihan so that he may observe the candidate more closely.

All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

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Kumi tachi: First five basic kata.
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Tanto dori: A different technique from each - shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki, two
different techniques from ushiro.
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Tachi dori: A total of five different techniques. Attacks will be shomenuchi, yokomenuchi,
tsuki.
*

Randori: Three people attacking.