Cambridge Aiki Dojo

Grading Syllabus

In our aikido club, there is a series of five kyu grades which students pass through before they reach shodan (first degree black belt). Below are the details of the techniques, attacks,and body movements that students are expected to know for each grading (test).

We wear coloured belts to denote grade in class, but when we go on course, or visit other dojos, it is normal and polite to wear a white belt until a black belt is gained.

5th kyu

Shikko (forward and backward)
Kamae (posture)
Tenkan (left and right)
Forward foot irimi tenkan (left and right)
Back foot irimi tenkan
Tsugi ashi (left and right)
Irimi ashi
Chudantsuki/Shomenuchi/Yokomenuchi

Tai sabaki with partner for chudan: Ai hamni katatedori:

  • Forward foot irimi (omote)
  • Back foot irimi (omote)
  • Kaiten
  • Uchi kaiten exercise
  • Tenkan ura (back foot irimi tenkan, stepping behind)

Tai sabaki with partner for jodan: Ai hamni katatedori:

  • Forward foot irimi (omote)
  • Back foot irimi (omote)
  • Kaiten
  • Tenkan ura (back foot irimi tenkan, stepping behind)

Tai sabaki with partner: Gyaku hamni katatedori:

  • Forward foot irimi (omote)
  • Back foot irimi (omote)
  • Kaiten :Uchi kaiten exercise
  • Tenkan :Stepping forward with forward foot breaking partner's grip
  • Soto kaiten (omote)
  • Soto kaiten tenkan

Shiho-nage: ai hamni
Shiho-nage: gyaku hamni
Ikkyo: ai hamni
Ikkyo: gyaku hamni

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4th Kyu

(All of the above, plus the following:)

Tachiwaza shomenuchi ikkyo
Tachiwaza katadori nikkyo
Tachiwaza yokomenuchi shiho-nage
Tachiwaza shomenuchi irimi-nage
Tachiwaza kokyu-nage 2 attackers
Suwariwaza kokyu-ho
Bukiwaza : 31 jo kata, 7 ken suburi

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3rd kyu

(All of the above, plus the following:)

Tachiwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Tachiwaza ryotedori shiho-nage, tenchi-nage
Tachiwaza yokomenuchi shiho-nage
Tachiwaza shomenuchi irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi
Tachiwaza kokyu-nage 2 attackers, **
Suwariwaza ryotedori kokyu-nage
Bukiwaza : 31 jo kata (including paired kata), 13 jo kata, 20 jo suburi, 7 ken suburi

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2nd kyu

(All of the above, plus the following:)

Tachiwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Tachiwaza katadori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Suwariwaza katadori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Hamni-handachi katatedori shiho-nage
Tachiwaza shomenuchi irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi
Tachiwaza chudantsuki irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi
Tachiwaza katatedori irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi, kaiten-nage
Tachiwaza katatedori jiyuwaza
Tachiwaza ryotedori tenchi-nage
Tachiwaza kokyu-nage 3-4 attackers, jiyuwaza **
Suwariwaza kokyu-ho
Bukiwaza : 31 jo kata, (including paired kata), 13 jo kata, 20 jo suburi, 7 ken suburi, 3 tanto dori **

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1st kyu

(All of the above, plus the following:)

Tachiwaza katadori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Suwariwaza katadori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Tachiwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Tachiwaza yokomenuchi ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Tachiwaza ushiro ryotedori ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo, yonkyo
Tachiwaza yokomenuchi gokkyo
Hamni-handachi ryotedori shiho-nage
Suwariwaza ryotedori shiho-nage
Tachiwaza shomenuchi irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi, kaiten-nage
Tachiwaza chudantsuki irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi, kaiten-nage
Tachiwaza katatedori irimi-nage, kote-gaeshi, kaiten-nage
Tachiwaza ryotedori tenchi-nage
Katatedori, ryotedori, morotedori jiyuwaza
Tachiwaza, suwariwaza kokyu-ho
Tachiwaza kokyu-nage 4 attackers+ jiyuwaza **
Bukiwaza : (including paired kata), 13 jo kata, 20 jo suburi, 7 ken suburi, 4 tanto dori **

** Cambridge requirements

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