Aikido Promotional Requirements

Rank

Belt
Color

Hours
per week
3.0

Total
Aikido
Hours
0

Minimum
Age for
Rank
14

Minimum
Time in
Grade
None

Total
Time in
Aikido
None

Gokyu

White

Yonkyu

Green

3.0

40

14

3 Months

3 Months

Sankyu

Brown

3.0

80

14

3 Months

6 Months

Nikyu

Brown

3.0

120

14

3 Months

9 Months

Ikkyu

Brown

3.0

160

14

3 Months

1 Year

Shodan

Black

4.5

250

16

6 Months

Nidan

Black

4.5

500

18

1 Year

1 1.5
Years
2 Years

Sandan

Black

4.5

850

20

2 Years

4 Years

Yondan

Black

4.5

1,100

22

2 Years

6 Years

Godan

Black

4.5

1,600

25

2 Years

8 Years

4.5

2,600

29

3 Years

11 Years

4.5

4,600

37

8 Years

19 Years

4.5

6,600

45

8 Years

27 Years

Rokudan

Red &
White
Shichidan Red &
White
Hachidan Red &
White
Kudan
Red
Judan

Red

Aikido Technical Proficiency Requirements

Rank

Technical Requirements

Gokyu
Yonkyu

Beginner
The Walking Kata, Backward Ukemi, Basic Forward Ukemi, 8
releases, & Nos. 1-5 of Junana Hon
As above, plus Regular Forward Ukemi, Nos. 6-10 of Junana
Hon, Rudimentary Knife Randori, & Rudimentary Nami-noWaza
As above, plus Advanced Forward Ukemi, Nos. 11-14 of Junana
Hon, Rudimentary Hand Randori, & Increased Skill in Nami-noWaza
As above, plus Proficiency in Advanced Ukemi, Nos. 15-17 of
Junana Hon, Rudimentary Multiple Attacker Training,
Proficiency in Nami-no-Waza, & Rudimentary Teaching Skills
Know the history and vocabulary of Tomiki-ryu Aikido.
Demonstrate all of the above requirements: Walking kata, 8
releases, Junana Hon (complete), and Nos. 1-5 of Owaza Jupon.
Advancement of all skills. Knowledge and ability to demonstrate
Kaguris 14 double-hand grabs. Demonstration of Owaza Jupon
(complete), and Nos. 1-16 of Koryu-dai-San.
Advancement of All Skills, with Internalization of Aikido
Principles. Demonstration of Nos. 1-34 of Koryu-dai-San,
Nos. 1-14 Koryu-dai-Yon.
Advancement of All Skills, with clear internalization of aikido
principles. Ability to demonstrate Koryu-dai-San (complete),
Koryu-dai-Yon (complete), and a demonstrated ability to teach
the underlying principles of Tomiki Aikido.
Advancement of All Skills. Ability to demonstrate Koryu-dai-Go
(complete). Demonstrated ability to teach all aspects of Tomiki
Aikido to all levels of student expertise.
Generally advances in all skill areas: Applications, Principle
Recognition, Development, and Instruction. Demonstrates an
extraordinary proficiency in both instruction and application of
Tomiki Aikido. Ability to demonstrate Koryu-dai-Rokyu
(complete).

Sankyu
Nikyu
Ikkyu
Shodan
Nidan
Sandan
Yondan

Godan
Rokyudan

Shichidan

Hachidan

Kudan
Judan

The individual is an outstanding practitioner of the art

and all of its techniques and precepts, demonstrating
an ability for both leadership and development.
The individual has demonstrated continuing positive
contributions to Aikido and granted service to Tomiki
Aikido, both students and instructors, as well as to the
Association.
Red Belt awarded upon affirmance of two-thirds of the American
Tomiki Association Technical Council.
Red Belt awarded upon affirmance of three-quarters of the
American Tomiki Association Technical Council.

Aikido Promotional and Technical Standards

1. These standards represent recommendations of relative minimum training and experience time.
2. Notice may be given to experience and training in another martial art.
3. Notice may be given to accumulated hours of study in excess of the required amount.
4. Notice may be given to any person who achieves or exceeds the technical requirements in advance of the
required time in grade for that rank.
5. All persons shall have achieved the technical standards for the rank for which they are a candidate.
6. Notice may be given to a person who shows themselves to be selfish and immature or unselfish and mature in
their training and teaching practice.
7. Notice may be given to any person who makes an extra contribution on behalf of Aikido.
8. Notice may be given to a recommendation for promotion if the person recommending that promotion is
determined to have achieved current knowledge of the technical requirements for the rank in question.
9. No person shall be deprived of a rank when both the technical requirements and the minimum time in grade
are met, regardless of how long it takes to meet those requirements. Similarly, no person shall be deprived of
rank because of a physical limitation, as the techniques may be modified to fit the individual while leaving the
principles paramount.
10. A student may be required to demonstrate all prior rank requirements if it is deemed necessary.
11. Any person who is promoted to black belt must have been found to be capable of representing their dojo,
their instructor, and the Association.
12. Once a person reaches the rank of second degree black belt, their interest should begin to lie in the areas of
teaching and developing Aikido, rather than the sole interest of improving their skills. It is a truth that one of
the best ways to learn something is by teaching it to others.
13. The Association Technical Council may make any exception to the rank requirements that they choose if
they, as a group, feel that the exception is warranted.