This page outlines the requirements for grading examinations at Calgary Aikikai. Tests are normally held every three or four months. One credit is given for each class attended. Credit for special functions, such as seminars, will be determined at the time of the function. A student is required to attend a certain number of training sessions before they may apply to take their next grading examination.

Note that these numbers refer to the number of classes attended since the student’s last grading. Also note that the test requirements are cumulative. For example, the examiner may ask the candidate to demonstrate gokyu techniques in a sankyu examination. (Note: training sessions are counted from date of previous test)

  • 六級 – (6th) Roku Kyu (20 training sessions)

    1. Stances: migi hanmi, hidari hanmi, ai hanmi, gyaku hanmi
    2. Exercises: Ikkyo Undo, Zengo Undo, Shiho Undo, Funakogi Undo (with ki-ai), Udefuri Undo (static and with a step)
    3. Attacks: shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki, katatetori, ryotetori, katatori, ryokatatori, ushiro tekubitori, ushiro ryokatatori, katate ryotetori
    4. Movements: irimi, tenkan, kaiten
    5. Katatetori Tenkan
    6. Bokken: Standing kamae, Drawing bokken, Putting back bokken, Ken nigiri (gripping sword)
    7. Jo: Standing kamae, Stepping in with Jo, Stepping back with Jo, Tsuki kamae, Menuchi kamae

  • 五級 – (5th) Go Kyu (40 training sessions)

    1. Ukemi: Mae Ukemi, Ushiro Ukemi
    2. Shomenuchi Ikkyo (omote & ura)
    3. Shomenuchi Iriminage (soto mawari)
    4. Katatetori Shihonage (omote & ura)
    5. Ryotetori Tenchinage
    6. Ushiro Tekubitori Kotegaeshi
    7. Katate Ryotetori Kokyoho
    8. Zagi Kokyoho
    9. Bokken:
      • Seigan no (Chudan) Kamae
      • Jodan no Kamae
      • Gyaku Jodan no Kamae
      • Gedan no Kamae
      • Gyaku Gedan no Kamae
      • Waki (Sha no) no Kamae
      • Hasso (Yin no) no Kamae
      • Cutting: Chudan uchi komi, Maki uchi
    10. Jo: Basic Aiki Jo 1-10, 6 No Jo

  • 四級 – (4th) Yon Kyu (70 training sessions)

    1. Movements: Shikko, Ushiro Shikko, Shikko Kaiten
    2. Shomenuchi Nikkyo (omote & ura)
    3. Yokomenuchi Shihonage (omote & ura)
    4. Yokomenuchi Iriminage (uchi & soto)
    5. Tsuki Iriminage
    6. Ushiro Tekubitori Sankyo (omote & ura)
    7. Ushiro Ryokatatori Kotegaeshi
    8. Suwari Waza (zagi):
      • Shomenuchi Ikkyo (omote & ura)
      • Katatori Nikkyo (omote & ura)
      • Katatori Sankyo (omote & ura)
    9. Bokken: Chudan uchi komi: 1. , 2. , 3. , 4.
      • With right foot stepping back
      • From Waki Kamae
      • Switching feet at the front
      • Switching feet at the back
    10. Jo: Basic Aiki Jo 1-20, 8 No Jo

  • 三級 – (3rd) San Kyu (100 training sessions, attend one seminar per year)

    1. Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
    2. Tsuki Kaitenage (uchi & soto)
    3. Ushiro Ryokatatori Sankyo (omote & ura)
    4. Katate Ryotetori Iriminage (uchi & soto)
    5. Shomenuchi Sankyo (omote & ura)
    6. Ryotetori Kokyonage (2 kinds)
    7. Jiyu-Waza: Ryotetori
    8. Suwari Waza (zagi):
      • Shomenuchi Iriminage (omote & ura)
      • Shomenuchi Nikkyo
    9. Hanmi-Handachi:
      • Katatetori Shihonage (omote & ura)
      • Katatetori Kaitenage (uchi & soto)
    10. Bokken:
      • Gedan Giri from Jodan with partner
      • Chudan Uchi Komi from Waki Kamae to Maki Uchi
      • Tsuki from seigan no kamae with/ no step
    11. Jo: 13 No Jo

  • 二級 – (2nd) Ni Kyu (140 training sessions, attend one seminar per year)

    1. Shomenuchi Shihonage (omote & ura)
    2. Shomenuchi Kaitenage (uchi & soto)
    3. Yokomenuchi Gokyo
    4. Tsuki Yonkyo (omote & ura)
    5. Katatetori Kaitenosae (uchi & soto)
    6. Ushiro Ryohijitori Aiki Otoshi
    7. Ushiro Tekubitori Jyujinage
    8. Ushiro Kubishime Koshinage
    9. Hanmi-Handachi:
      • Shomenuchi Iriminage (uchi & soto)
      • Katatetori Nikkyo (omote & ura)
      • Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
    10. Jiyu-Waza: Katate Ryotetori
    11. Bokken: Ken Awase 1-7
    12. Jo: 22 No Jo, Jo Awase 1-8

  • 壱級 – (1st) Ikkyu (200 training sessions, attend one seminar per year)

    1. Katatori Menuchi – 5 techniques
    2. Yokomenuchi –Ikkyo to Gokyo
    3. Katate Ryotetori – 5 techniques
    4. Shomenuchi – 5 techniques
    5. Ryotetori – 5 techniques
    6. Koshinage – 5 attacks
    7. Tantotori
    8. Hanmi-Handachi (Ushiro-waza) – 5 techniques
    9. Jiyu-Waza: Tsuki, Katatetori
    10. Bokken: Kumi Dachi 1-5
    11. Jo: 31 No Jo, Kumijo 1-7

  • 初段 Shodan (200 training sessions, attend one seminar per year)

    • Over 16 years of age
    • Test requirements as per Igarashi Dojo