What does the shodan mean and what is the best way to prepare for it? What do the higher dan grades signify?
the 7 black-belt virtues
‘Aikido makes people happy’ - regular practice is an activity that helps us to grow as personalities... and to enjoy it! For this to succeed, we also need a serious side that lays the foundation for our development.
The holders of dan grades are role models within the dojo. Among other things, this means exemplifying the three cardinal virtues of always being open-minded, modest and kind. In addition, black belts are characterised by a special sense of responsibility, so that they are committed, obliging and punctual at keikos, seminars and other dojo activities. The seventh virtue is that they are supportive to their training partners - the other virtues are derived from this.
- Open-minded - we are willing to learn new things and question our own skills, seeing mistakes as opportunities for growth
- Modest - we treat the teacher as the sole authority on the mat and are grateful to our partners for learning from each other (we do not expect admiration for our skills, nor do we correct others)
- Kind - we treat everyone on the mat with the same kindness (we do not speak disparagingly about others)
- Committed - we support the community, e.g. by keeping the dojo clean, helping out at events or by participating in free training to help others to prepare for exams
- Obliging - we are reliable, e.g. by regularly attending keiko or by participating in all classes of seminars
- Punctual - we are at the dojo on time before class or before the start of a seminar
- Supportive - we practise with everyone and support them in making progress; we can best achieve this in class by giving each partner the ukemi they need to perform the technique successfully (we allow for mistakes, do not lecture, avoid talking during training)
In general, dan grades are perceived as representatives of the quality of the dojo, of technical expertise and - to an even greater extent - of personal development as an aikidoka. Their behaviour towards the aikido community determines how the dojo is perceived.
Meaning of the shodan
In aikido, the change from white to black belt means that we have completed our basic training by having learnt the most common techniques (kihon) and are able to apply them confidently. This can best be compared to completing an apprenticeship.
As with an apprenticeship, the shodan is to be understood as the beginning of serious engagement with the art.
Dan grades occasionally teach (as a substitute), but the black belt in itself does not constitute a qualification as a teacher. Above all, shodan means that we start learning with a higher level of attention, because we now have a good basis on which to build.
Preparation for the Shodan
Preparation begins after your readiness evaluation by the head of the dojo with the personal decision to take the exam.
Formal requirements for the examination are 18 months of training, participation in at least 90 keikos and 4 shihan seminars after 1st kyu. The minimum age for taking the shodan grading is 18 years.
Depending on personal development and training intensity, we plan 9-12 months of preparation time. During this time, we are supported by the teachers at the dojo. In addition to regular training, we prepare ourselves independently, in particular by attending seminars taught by members of the grading jury, and by organising extra-curricular trainings to prepare for the exam. The dojo organises mock gradings to help us prepare for the exam situation and discover the areas where we can make the most progress.
No matter how talented you already are - focussed preparation pays off!
Growing to meet the technical requirements and training intensively are two building blocks of a successful shodan exam - the third is that we take the 7 black-belt virtues described above to heart and make them part of our daily practice. During class, we pay particular attention to our own progress and are good ukes to everyone else.
3-6 months before the grading, we find one (or better two) ukes for our exam and practice with them as often as possible.
If we have prepared seriously, our teacher will recommend us to the shihan for the exam about a month before the exam. The official application forms for the Hombu Dojo will then be filled out. The Aikikai Tokyo charges an examination fee in the low three-digit range, which must be paid on the day of the grading. (If you cannot afford this, please contact us). For gradings with Jan Nevelius shihan, the regulations of the Swedish Aikikai apply (from "Graderingsregler", English version via Google Translate).
Please remember: your teachers and the jury want you to do well at the grading and that you enjoy it. With focussed preparation, you will succeed!
PS: You will be presented with your black belt immediately after the grading (courtesy of the dojo).
Higher Dan Grades
The curriculum required for the higher dan levels is basically the same as for shodan. The virtues mentioned above also apply equally to all higher levels. So what distinguishes these examinations from shodan?
Nidan
Like the shodan, the nidan is also a technical examination, i.e. the focus here is on the clean and confident execution of the technical examination program. “A nidan is a very good shodan.”
- 3 years* of training after shodan (200+ keikos)
- 9-12 months preparation time / 6+ shihan seminars
- 2 ukes
- Same range of techniques, but possibly more variations (e.g. “another variation for koshi-nage from katate-dori”)
- Jiyu-waza (tori-waza/uchi-waza)
- Tanto-dori (3× shomen-uchi, 3× yokomen-uchi, 3× chudan-tsuki, 1× ushiro-tsuki)
- Ninindori (3 variants) & randori (from ryokata-dori)
Sandan
Sandan demonstrates a greater sovereignty in the application of techniques and a significantly higher ability to adapt to uke and to include the space around the partners. All techniques show a pronounced zanshin.
- 4 years* of training after nidan (300+ keikos)
- 12-18 months preparation time / 9+ shihan seminars
- 3 ukes
- Same range of techniques, more variations (e.g. “three different variations of koshi-nage from katate-dori”), possibly also more exotic techniques (e.g. “ushiro-kakae-dori kotegaeshi”)
- Jiyu-waza (tori-waza/uchi-waza)
- Tanto-dori (3× shomen-uchi, 3× yokomen-uchi, 3× chudan-tsuki, 1× ushiro-tsuki)
- Tachi-dori (5× shomen-uchi)
- Sanindori (2×) & randori (from shomen-uchi)
Yondan
Yondan is the last exam which is why it has a special significance. The emphasis here is on great freedom in the application of techniques, on the expression of the personal interpretation of aikido and on a presence that fills the entire room. Here, candidates should also show that they can confidently deal with very different ukes.
- 5 years* of training after sandan (400+ keikos)
- 18-24 months preparation time / 12+ shihan seminars
- 4 ukes
- Only the first technique for each attack is announced, after that the examinees choose the techniques themselves (jiyu-waza); the announced technique can also be an exotic one (e.g. “jodan-tsuki juji-garami”)
- Jiyu-waza (tori-waza/uchi-waza)
- Tanto-dori (3× shomen-uchi, 3× yokomen-uchi, 3× chudan-tsuki, 1× ushiro-tsuki)
- Tachi-dori (5× shomen-uchi)
- Jo-dori (5× tsuki)
- Yonindori (2×) & randori (from shomen-uchi)
*Minimum period plus 1 year; grading after minimum training period requires exceptionally high intensity of preparation
The requirements of the grading under Jan Nevelius shihan include the examination requirements of the Aikikai Tokyo and extend them. The examination fees set by Aikikai Tokyo for the higher dan grades increase from grade to grade.
What if...?
As a rule of thumb for good preparation, you should feel calm about a month before the grading date, start looking forward to the day and be confident that you are well prepared.
What if I don't make progress so quickly? What if something comes up in my life? What if my teacher tells me to postpone?
The shodan grading is a stage on the path of your personal development, not an obligation or a competition. It must therefore suit your personal life situation - and above all, you should enjoy it! So if you realise that you don't feel ready, or if your life's circumstances do not allow you to take the exam in a relaxed manner, then it's perfectly fine to postpone the date (ideally before submitting the documents).
Trust your teachers: if they tell you to postpone, they have your best interest in mind – remember that they want you to succeed.
If you have any further questions, please speak to the head of the dojo.
