Yudansha Requirements

To attain the rank of Shodan or First Degree Black Belt does not mean that the student has attained mastery or is in some sense an expert in the art. In the Japanese martial arts, the first black belt rank simply means that a student has trained hard enough to have a solid knowledge of the basics or "Kihon Waza" and is therefore now to be considered a serious beginner.

The process is similar to  learning to read where one must first master the alphabet, then learn to spell words, then learn the essentials of grammer and sentence construction before ever attempting to write literature. Black belt rank in the martial arts means that the student is now ready to really start studying the vast creative potential of the art.

See Dan Test Application Process

Shodan (student must meet all requirements of the Aikido Eastside Instructor Development Program; after 100 class days of training over a minimum of 10 months after receiving 1st Kyu the student may apply for Sho Dan Ho or Shodan Candidate status which, if accepted, entitles the candidate to receive "Seishin Tanren" or Spiritual Forging in preparation for the Exam. The Assistant and Chief Instructor will then decide when the candidate may test for Shodan.)

All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

Kumi tachi (paired sword): First five basic kata.

Tanto dori (knife takeaways):A different technique from each - shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki, two different techniques from ushiro.

Tachi dori (sword takeaways): A total of five different techniques. Attacks will be shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, and tsuki.

Randori (multiple attackers ): Three people attacking.

Nidan (After a minimum of 30 months and approx. 400 class days of consistent training after receiving shodan and meeting all requirements of the Instructor Development Program, the student may apply for Candidate status as outlined above)

All basic techniques and previous requirements plus:

Kumi tachi (paired sword): First twelve basic kata.

Kumi jo (pared jo): First six basic kata.

Randori (multiple attackers ): Three people attacking with shinai.

Sandan (Minimum 3 years of consistent training after receiving nidan and meeting all requirements of the Instructor Development Program, the student may apply for Candidate status as outlined above)

All basic techniques performed to demonstrate the student's understanding of the principles of kokyu tanden ho, and all previous requirements plus:

Saotome Sensei's Two Sword Forms: 8 Forms
"Patrol" Jo Forms: 8 Forms
Randori (multiple attackers): 3 Attackers w/ Tanto (knives)

Yondan

Only by recommendation at the discretion of Saotome Shihan or Ikeda Shihan.

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