Rank is an integral part of Aikido. As a beginner your testing helps you formalize what you have learned, provides you feedback on your progress and satisfaction of achievement. As a senior, granting of rank acknowledges your continued contribution to the promotion of the Art. Usually your instructor or senior Yudansha will suggest to you that it is time for you to test for the next rank. You are not required to test, but your seniors' suggestion implies that testing is something you should think about. If you have not been advised to test and you have achieved the minimum time required between tests, and desire to test, you may approach a Yudansha and discuss this with him/her.
Requirements before testing
- Prior to the testing date download the; This is applicable to all ranks
- For Dan grading you require the following the Yudansha Hombu Promotion form
The completed forms must be signed by Sensei or a senior Yudansha prior to taking the examination. In order to assist you with preparation for your test, download and print the examination worksheet appropriate to your rank and fill in your name and date etc., these forms are on the Canadian Aikido Federation CAF web-site.
On the day of your test hand all the forms as well as the testing fee and CAF promotion fee to the Yudansha who is overseeing the test. (if you do not pass the test the CAF promotion fee will be returned to you).
Uke
You should ask one of your peers to act as your Uke. Your Uke should be no more than one kyu ranks above or below your current rank. Sensei may assign you one or more Ukes, but you should always have one pre-selected and available at your test date.
During the test
When Sensei calls your name, you and your Uke bow, get up and walk briskly (behind the students) to the edge of the mats. Sit in Seiza, facing Sensei, just in front, and on the left, of the Dojo members. If there is a group of students who are called up at the same time, please walk in unison, single file. Wait until all the students who are testing and their Ukes are sitting in Seiza and wait for Sensei to indicate the beginning of the test by saying ‘Hai’.
When Sensei says 'Hai':
At the same time, all people sitting in seiza should:
- Bow first to O’Sensei
- next turn to the examiner and bow
(The examiner may have local instructors and instructional assistants sitting in the front. If they and the examiner are sitting together side by side, you bow toward them once. If the examiner is sitting apart from them, bow to the examiner first, and then to the others.)
- and then lastly turn to your partner and bow.
Wait for Sensei to tell you to stand up. When you are told to do so, rise and stand facing your Uke while maintaining a good ma-ai (a distance of one Tatami LENGTH is a minimum for Tachi waza – standing techniques).
The examiner will call out the requirements to you. Do them repeatedly until he tells you to stop. He will say yame (meaning stop) or Hai (meaning 'O.K'). Unless the examiner tells you differently, demonstrate each technique on the Right and Left side, showing Omote first and then Ura movement.
During your test, if you are unclear as to the requirement, or you did not hear what was requested, say 'Sumimasen?' and the examiner may repeat the instruction or provide you with further clarification. DO Not turn to Sensei and say: 'huh?' 'What?' etc. If you forgot how to execute a specific technique, do your best anyway. It is better to do something rather than nothing at all.
General notes
Students are not allowed to test at seminars without prior permission by the Chief Instructor of the dojo. All testing and processing fees should be paid and the application form is be completed and signed. The testing application form requires your instructor's signature. You should discuss your plan to test at seminars and/or summer camps with senior Yudansha and instructors at least two months prior to the testing date, for appropriate guidance, preparation, and the Chief Instructor's permission. |
