Kyu Test RequirementsIn a sense, "testing" is not what we do at Aikido
Eastside. It is more of a demonstration of a student's attainment for everyone to see.
Students in the "Beginner Program" are tested by the teaching
staff for the 6th Kyu and 5th Kyu ranks. Final authority over Beginner testing
rests with Alex Nakamura Sensei our Senior Instructor.
Students testing for ranks
4th kyu and above will acquire a "trainer" or partner who will coach him
or her and inform the Chief
Instructor of the candidate's readiness. He signs up to "test" for a particular
"kyu rank" (the ranks that lead to Black Belt or "Dan" ranks) based on
the amount of time put into training at the dojo (school). As the test approaches, the
Chief Instructor, George Ledyard Sensei confers with the the "trainer" and the
Asst. Chief Instructor, Kevin Lam, and mutually decide if the candidate is expected to be
ready to "test" for a particular level. If there are problem areas in the
student's preparation, special attention is put on those in class as the date for testing
approaches.
If the instructors feel that the problems are serious enough that they can not
be rectified by the test date, the student is asked to wait until the next test date
(tests are quarterly) and is advised what areas of the training need special attention. So
it is extremely rare that any student does not pass a test because we attempt to insure
that all students who do test are well prepared.
 |
All candidates for rank above 2nd Kyu and Yudansha (Black Belt) rank, must participate in the:
Aikido Eastside Instructor Development Program.
"Dan Tests" or Black Belt tests are conducted when a candidate has met the requirements. Our Chief Instructor conducts the testing. Since there is no competition in Aikido, these "tests" are the closest thing most students get to all out, 100% application. Partners for the test are normally students of higher level which both tests the candidates ability and allows him or her to really "let loose" and demonstrate what they know. Despite the higher pressure level of these tests, students are still not normally allowed to get to the point of testing unless there is every expectation that they will pass with flying colors. Waiting is always an option as there is simply no point in training simply for the sake of attaining rank.
| Rokyu (30 class days / 3 months) | |
| Empty Hand: Ukemi:
Attacks (demonstrated on focus mitts):
Footwork:
Technique:
|
Weapons: Sword Requirements:
Jo Requirements:
|
| Gokyu (60 class days 5 months) student must attend minimum of 1 Basic One Day Seminar | |
|
All Previous Techniques - Flowing Technique:
|
Sword Requirements:
Jo Requirements:
|
| Yonkyu (72 class days / 6 months) student must attend minimum of 2 Basic One Day Seminars | |
|
All Previous Techniques - Flowing Technique:
|
Sword Requirements: Jo Requirements: Kumi-jo Numbers One to Three |
| Sankyu (72 class days/6 months) student must attend minimum of 2 Advanced One Day Seminars | |
|
All Previous Techniques - with speed and power Technique:
|
Sword Requirements:
Jo Requirements:
|
| Nikyu (72 class days / 6 months) student must attend any major weekend seminars, minimum 2 Advanced One Day Seminars, & 1 Full Four Day Intensive | |
|
All Previous Techniques - with speed and power Technique:
|
Weapons:
|
|
Ikkyu
(90 class days/8 months) student must fulfill all requirements of the Instructor Development Program for six months before the Exam |
|
|
All Previous Techniques attacks with full speed & power Technique:
|
Weapons:
All weapons requirements for Nidan |
Home Adult Program Test Procedures Dan Procedures Yudansha Requirements