Important Notes

These requirements are a minimum standard for the purposes of promotion testing; this is not a comprehensive listing of all the applications of technique with which you must be familiar.

Many techniques have omote (front) and ura (rear) variations which you must demonstrate.

Many techniques have applications against both static and dynamic attacks, which you must know.

In certain cases a particular variation of a technique is required and is noted above; you are encouraged, however, to demonstrate additional variations.

All tests are cumulative; you must be prepared to demonstrate exercises and techniques from all ranks prior to the one for which you are actually testing.

Requirements of attendance at Aikido Seminar, Camps, and Instructor Seminars are fulfilled only by AAA/AAI events.

All test candidates must complete the following prior to testing:

Dojo dues must be paid in full

AAA or AAI annual dues must be paid up to date

Examination application form must be completed legibly and submitted to your instructor

Examination fee must be paid

No application for promotion testing will be accepted by the test committee without the knowledge and consent of the candidate’s instructor.

Test etiquette guidelines

Correct arrangement of the audience(test committee, candidates, ukes) around the mat:

- Test committee to the left of shomen wall.
- Participating ukes (usually yudansha, brown belts) to the right of shomen wall.
- Others facing shomen wall.

Test process

1. Sensei calls the candidate's name.

2. Candidate replies with »Hai«, walks quickly on tatami and sits in seiza in front of the shomen wall.He then:
- Bows to the shomen.
- Bows to the committee.
- Waits in seiza, facing shomen.

3. Sensei announces the test.

4. Sensei calls the first uke, who quickly comes onto tatami, sits in seiza next to the candidate, facing the shomen.
- Both in seiza, in line facing the shomen, uke on the right side.
- Both bow to the shomen (uke initiates bow).
- Bow to each other.
- Wait in seiza, until Sensei says »Stand up«.

5. Sensei announces the technique. Uke attacks after Sensei's command »Hajime« and continues until Sensei says »Yame«.

6. Sensei can retain uke, change the technique or replace uke.

7. Uke is replaced on Sensei's command:
- After the command candidate and uke sit in seiza to the left and the right respectively regarding the shomen. They bow to each other. Uke returns to his place in the line.
- Candidate waits in seiza for the next uke.
- After each change of uke, candidate and uke only bow to each other.

8. If weapons are required, one bow with weapon to the shomen wall is performed. Bowing to a partner in seiza is peformed with a weapon on the left side, edge facing out.

9. Conclusion of the test:
- Candidate and uke, sitting in seiza bow to each other, assuming the same position again.
- Sensei concludes the test.
- Candidate and uke bow to the shomen and then to the test committee.

Implementation of techniques

All pinning techniques (ikkyo through gokyo, and kotegaeshi) recquire a pin. No pins are done during the jiyuwaza. During the weapon attacks, a pin and the weapon removal are always recquired. Katas are first performed with counting, then without it but with a kiai.

Walking and behaviour in the dojo

Candidate and ukes should avoid walking diagonally across the mats. During the test everybody must sit in seiza (exceptionally cross- legged). Do not lean against the wall. Do not talk or make any other noise.