Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation (AYF) Bylaws
The Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation seeks to promote the spirit of budo through Yoshinkan Aikido, asystem of defense pioneered by Gozo Shioda after the Second World War.

Budo, commonly translated as “martial” art or way, is a form of traditional Japanese culture which has
evolved from combat techniques to a way of self-development through physical and spiritual training.
However, the term “martial” derives from the Latin “Mars”, the Roman god of war, and means inclined
or disposed to war. In contrast, the Japanese concept of “budo” is quite different in that it promotes using
the fighting arts to bring about peace, rather than perpetuating conflict.

In budo, therefore, peace is always the ultimate goal. Its philosophy, and that of Aikido, emphasizes
courteous behavior, technical proficiency, the strengthening of the body and a striving towards moralexcellence.

The AYF has drawn up the following bylaws to support instructors overseas in the dissemination of theprinciples of budo through Yoshinkan Aikido. The bylaws cover:1.

Instructors’ licenses

2.

Kyu and dan certificates3.

Dojo registration certificates4.

Shihan titles and application procedure

5.

AYF membership

6.

Visits by Honbu Dojo instructors

7.

Support for overseas instructors

8.

Fees and conditions

1.

INSTRUCTORS’ LICENSES

All Yoshinkan Aikido practitioners ranked shodan or above are eligible to be recommended as an AYF
instructor and to receive an AYF instructor’s certificate. Issued directly by the Chairman of AYF, theselicenses are valid for life. Application forms can be found here:
http://www.yoshinkan.net/03contentsE/applicationE.html#tab1
Holders of these licenses are registered as instructors with the AYF. No annual registration is necessary.
Requirements are:Dan ranking in Yoshinkan Aikido

Recommendation from an AYF instructor ranked 3rd dan or above

Instructors may grade students, obtain kyu and dan certificates from AYF, and open their own dojo. Upon
recommendation, instructors may apply for upgrades certifying the grading responsibility of their rank asthey themselves are promoted.
2.

DAN AND KYU CERTIFICATES

All adult dan certificates will be issued solely by Honbu Dojo, the AYF headquarters in Tokyo, andindividually signed by the Chairman. The certified person’s name will be inscribed on the certificate at
Honbu Dojo. All AYF dan gradings will be entered into the Yoshinkan records. Application forms fordan gradings can be found here: http://www.yoshinkan.net/03contentsE/applicationE.html#tab1

For kyu grades, instructors are authorized to issue certificates on their own paper. If preferred, blank kyu
certificates can be purchased from Honbu Dojo. These are available in sets of ten and cost 5,000yen. All
details, such as the students’ name, kyu rank, the date and the instructor's name should be filled in by theexamining instructor.

3.

DOJO REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES

Only certified instructors are authorized to open and run a Yoshinkan Aikido dojo. All Yoshinkan Aikido
dojos must be registered with Honbu. Honbu will provide registration certificates to instructors to provethat their dojos are officially recognized by the AYF, and will issue them with an official logo. (Pleasecontact Honbu Dojo for a logo).

Registered dojos will be listed online on the AYF website’s worldwide dojo directory. The registration
form can be found here: http://www.yoshinkan.net/03contentsE/applicationE.html#tab1

All dojos registered with AYF must agree to:Adhere to the principles of budo and those of harmony, non-aggressiveness, and co-operation ofYoshinkan Aikido

Ensure student progress, be active and stay in regular contact with Honbu Dojo

Promote the optimal dissemination of Yoshinkan Aikido by maintaining friendly relations withneighboring dojos and working with them in an amiable manner.

Honbu Dojo reserves the right to revoke a dojo’s registration certificate and remove its listing from theworldwide dojo directory should it fail to demonstrate goodwill on any of these three points.

4.

SHIHAN TITLES AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Overseas instructors over 6th dan interested in being considered for a Shihan title must approach Honbu
Dojo directly and request the possibility to apply. This procedure is the same for domestic instructors.

Bearers of the title are subject to a number of terms. Please find the regulations here:
http://www.yoshinkan.net/cgi-bin/osirase_e/cgi/msgs.cgi?do=jwd&wn=1505445401

Bearers of Shihan titles are considered models for the art. They display physical and technical proficiency,
and have sought to embody the core principles of budo, such as virtue and humility. Shihan titles will beawarded on merit, at the discretion of Honbu Dojo, to individuals of good character and purity of heart.

Honbu Dojo reserves the right to revoke the title should individuals bearing the title fail to act inaccordance with these principles.
5.

AYF MEMBERSHIP

AYF membership is extended to all registered instructors. They are authorized to:Conduct kyu gradingsIssue kyu certificates

Purchase official Honbu Dojo blank kyu certificatesConduct dan gradings (if instructor’s rank allows)

Recommend and register dan ranks with Honbu Dojo (if instructor’s rank allows)

Recommend and register new instructors with Honbu Dojo (if instructor’s rank allows)

Apply to Honbu Dojo for a Yoshinkan Aikido dojo certificateApply to Honbu Dojo for a high-rank evaluation (6th dan or above)

Apply to Honbu Dojo for a Shihan title evaluation (6th dan or above)Seek advice from Honbu Dojo on all matters

Receive AYF newsletter

Participate, along with their students, in AYF activities such as the annual All-Japandemonstration in Tokyo

6.

Invite Honbu Dojo instructors to perform overseas seminars and gradings

VISITS BY HONBU DOJO INSTRUCTORS

To assist overseas groups, senior Honbu Dojo instructors are available for visits and teaching seminars.
These instructors will lead classes and conduct clinics, gradings, demonstrations, and instructor courses.
Any AYF member may invite instructors from Honbu Dojo, however the cost of flights andaccommodation must be borne by the host instructor. Accommodation can be in the form of a homestay.
7.

TEACHING MATERIAL FOR OVERSEAS INSTRUCTORS

Honbu Dojo has some English-language teaching materials to support overseas instructors, including
instructional DVDs and manuals. These are available for purchase from Honbu Dojo. Honbu Dojo alsooffers an 11-month instructors’ course (Senshusei), which begins on April 1st of every year inTokyo. Further information regarding the Senshusei course is available on Honbu Dojo’s website:
http://www.yoshinkan.net/03contentsE/course-sensyuE.html
8.

FEES AND CONDITIONSInstructors’ licenses

DAN RANKGRADING RESPONSIBILITY

LICENSE FEESHODANCan grade students up to 4th kyu

20,000yen

ndst

UPGRADING FEE

2 DAN

Can grade students up to 1 kyu

25,000yen

5,000yen

3rd DANCan grade students up to SHODAN

th

4 DAN
th

30,000yen

5,000yennd

40,000yen

10,000yen

rdCan grade students up to 2 DAN

5 DAN

Can grade students up to 3 DAN

70,000yen

30,000yen6th DAN

Can grade students up to 4th DAN

120,000yen

50,000yen

thth7 DAN

Can grade students up to 5 DAN

190,000yen

70,000yen

8th DANCan grade students up to 6th DAN

280,000yen

90,000yen

Please note that the license fees above apply if applicants do not already hold an existing instructor’s
license. If applicants already have a license, upgrading fees will apply.

Dojo registration

The fee for registering a new dojo with AYF is 20,000yen.
Dan certificates

RANK

DAN FEESHONBU RECOMMENDATION FEES

TIME REQUIREMENTSSHODAN

6,000yen

14,000yen

From 1st to 2nd Dan: 1 year

2nd DAN12,500yen

28,000yen

From 2nd to 3rd Dan: 2 years

3rd DAN

20,000yen

43,000yen

From 3rd to 4th Dan: 2 years

4th DAN30,000yen

63,000yen

From 4th to 5th Dan: 3 years

5th DAN45,000yen

93,000yen

From 5th to 6th Dan: 4 years

6th DAN60,000yen

125,000yen

From 6th to 7th Dan: 5 years

7th DAN70,000yen

145,000yen

From 7th to 8th Dan: 8 years

8th DAN185,000yenFor gradings performed by an instructor of Honbu Dojo, Honbu recommendation fees apply.

Gradings of 6th dan or above are evaluated by the AYF high-rank grading committee, which
gathers twice a year, in the spring and the autumn. The committee is also charged with ratifying
the submissions of those applicants who already come recommended by a senior Yoshinkan
Aikidoinstructor.

Pleasevisit

theYoshinkan

websitefor

further

instructions:

http://www.yoshinkan.net/03images/_pdf/Instructions%20for%20high-rank%20dan%20applicati
on.pdfFees from instructor licenses, dojo registrations and dan rankings go directly to AYFadministration costs. All certificates will be written in Japanese, with an English translation on
the reverse side.

The minimum time required between dan gradings applies as stated in the table above unlessotherwise specified by the testing committee in consultation with the Chairman.

These bylaws were drawn up at Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo and approved by the Aikido Yoshinkai FoundationChairman and committee. They are subject to change without notice.