Winter / Spring 2009 Newsletter / Aikido Institute Davis Awase Ranks in Aikido Awase is the newsletter of the Aikido Institute of Davis, a dojo where the by Hoa Newens, Sensei arts of Aikido and Tai Chi are instructed. Going through the ranks is an integral part of the Please visit our website at Aikido experience. An adult student typically AikidoDavis.com for information on begins at the rank of 6th Kyuu and undergoes a membership & class times. series of exams during the next three to five (four on average) years of training to get to the end of 1st Kyuu. Thereafter one takes the exam for the rank of Shodan (translated as “beginning grade”), also known as black belt first degree. The Kyuu grades are in effect a countdown to the rank of Shodan. In this way the first four years of Aikido training in Kyuu grades are viewed as preparatory training for the journey that begins with Shodan. Thereafter, one progresses through the ranks of Nidan (2nd degree), Sandan (3rd degree), Yondan (4th degree), etc. The top dan grade of Judan (10th degree) is held only by a handful of people in the world who are outstanding exponents of the art. This journey can take several decades and last till the end of our life. The rank of Shodan thus denotes a significant threshold indicating that the student is now ready to receive, or deserving of, the full Aikido teaching; in other words, Shodan is when one begins the study of Aikido in earnest. In the old times, Japanese martial arts students did not get ranks. Typically, after having unloaded his complete teaching unto the student the teacher would award him a teaching license (Menkyo Kaiden) certifying that the holder is qualified and authorized to teach the art. Some schools still operate on this Menkyo method. This system worked when life was simple. In a modern lifestyle students are faced with many choices and need a form of recognition to reinforce their commitment to the art. Aikido Institute Davis 638 Cantrill Drive, Suite B, Davis, CA 95616 530-297-1215 www.aikidodavis.com May 2009 Awase Winter / Spring 2009 The Kyuu-Dan ranking system originated from foundation for advanced training. The advanced the art of Go and was applied to martial arts and training is only as good as the foundation. popularized by the late Jigoro Kano, founder of Unfortunately, there are no standards for this Kodokan Judo in the 1880’s. essential basic training. Hombu Dojo, the headquarters of the Aikikai, does not prescribe Kyuu rankings are administered independently standards but issues guidelines for rankings with by each Dojo-Cho (Head of the Dojo). In some no illustration of standard techniques. In the dojos, Kyuu-rank holders may be differentiated 1970’s the late Saito Sensei published a series of by the color of the belt. In others, they wear the five books describing the traditional techniques same white belt. On the other hand, dan ranks of Aikido; this was the first authoritative are awarded by the Aikikai, the worldwide publications of any technical standards, although Aikido association led by the Doshu (The they were not sanctioned by the Hombu Dojo. Leader of the Way), who is currently the Saito Sensei refreshed this series with a new grandson of the Founder. The Aikikai awards the seven volume version in the 1990’s entitled rank based on a certification of examination or a Takemusu Aikido. Then, a few years ago, the recommendation by an Aikikai-recognized current Doshu authored his own series of books Dojo-Cho or association. In our case, the aimed at filling this gap at the Aikikai. Takemusu Aikido Association (TAA) is recognized by the Aikikai for awarding Dan In the 1980’s, upon taking charge of the Aikido ranks and our Dojo is a member of the TAA. Institute in Oakland together with Kim Peuser Sensei I strengthened the ranking requirements Dan ranks may be issued by other Aikido which was based on a simple ranking guideline organizations not affiliated with the Aikikai, issued in the 1970’s by the former Aikido which are led by a Soke, the headmaster of the Association of Northern California. At the time style. One such Soke who is relevant to our those guidelines loosely reflected the guidelines lineage is Hitohiro Saito, son of the late from Hombu Dojo. I added relevant key Morihiro Saito, the leader of what has been elements of the Iwama Style and other structural commonly referred to as Iwama style Aikido. It elements to reinforce the curriculum. I brought should be noted that the late Saito Sensei always forward these requirements to the Aikido insisted that he taught only what he learned from Institute Davis (AID) and modified them O Sensei, the Founder. Therefore, in his view, slightly. This curriculum is referred to as there is no Iwama style, there is only O Sensei’s Ranking Requirements and is posted Aikido. However, the younger Saito Sensei, prominently on the Dojo bulletin board as well having recognized certain irreconcilable as the Dojo website. A few years ago I produced differences between the Aikido that he learned the seven volume-DVD series entitled Aikido from his father and the Aikido that is promoted Curriculum to illustrate the techniques contained by the Aikikai, decided to secede from the in the Ranking Requirements. Aikikai organization and form his own Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai. As a Soke, Hitohiro Saito In 2001 when the TAA was founded following Sensei administers his own dan rank system. Saito Sensei’s urging before his demise, I helped craft the Ranking Policy of the Association The first four years of training may not appear which applies to all member-dojos. This Policy significant when one reviews a 40 year training is stricter and more detailed than the ranking career in Aikido, but they are truly the most guidelines of Hombu Dojo. Our Ranking important years, similar to the first five Requirements at AID is consistent with and formative years of a child. During this Kyuu contain more detail than, the TAA’s Policy and grade period the student learns all the basic is designed to guide students’ training to achieve techniques and principles that serve as the ranks awarded by the Aikikai while also 2 May 2009 Awase Winter / Spring 2009 maintaining the specialty of our lineage. sequence; e.g. students should first become Eventually these Ranking Requirements will proficient in the Ken Suburi before learning the lead the dedicated students to the ultimate state Kumitachi; the basic Kumitachi forms should be of Takemusu Aiki. mastered before attempting the Henka (variations). On a day to day basis, AID students should refer often to the Ranking Requirements as a blue print for their training plans. Students should On the minus side the ranking system has always train for their next rank. The emphasis is undesirable by-products. One is the excessive not so much on the end result, the rank, but on focus on the rank itself and the associated status. the contents of the training. Ranks exist for three When the focus is shifted away from the training main reasons. The primary reason is to provide a and toward the rank the student’s progress is methodic approach to training so that a student misguided. The student may take certain action can take personal responsibility for her growth. that would win him a promotion but is Going to class regularly is a necessary but not detrimental to his growth; for example, he may sufficient condition for proficiency in Aikido; decide to leave a strict teacher to affiliate with the student should review the ranking another school for a faster track to the next requirements and determine her own training promotion. The other by-product is the tendency needs and work on them in addition to attending to associate rank with proficiency level. This is classes. Such personal training effort can take not usually an issue at the Kyuu or lower Dan place during open mat times or other available ranks but there is a discernible problem at the times before and after classes. higher rank levels, say from Yondan on. The The second reason to have ranks is to provide problem stems from the fact pointed out earlier for an orderly framework for learning. Ranks that there are no uniform and specific criteria for create a hierarchy which is consistent with the awarding dan ranks and each teacher and way knowledge and skills are passed on in organization may apply their own, even within traditional societies. The basic tenet for learning the Aikikai-recognized organizations. Some is that your senior is always and right and you organizations or leaders may put more weight on learn by following his/her example or technical proficiency than others; some may instructions in all matters and without question. emphasize contribution (service or monetary) to This rule simplifies the learning process and the organization; and some may focus heavily on provides an orderly environment for training in the development of the art. The discrepancies in the Dojo. However, to accommodate the ranking criteria may be imperceptible at the questioning western mind, the rule has been lower ranks but become more noticeable at the relaxed considerably in most contemporary higher ranks. So, not all Godan are equal in all dojos in the West. Students still have to follow respects. the senior’s example and instructions but only in the Dojo and they can ask questions. As a reference, below are the ranking The third raison d’être for the ranking system is requirements stipulated by the Aikikai.