PAGE 1

Examination Program 2nd KYUPrerequisites:rd
 A minimum of 10 months practice three times a week since the last exam (3 KYU)
th th thrd
 Knowledge of the techniques and theory required for 6 ,5 ,4 and 3 KYU exams
 The consent of the dojo’s technical director
The literal translation of some Japanese terms is placed between quotation marks “…“.

Dojo behavior(Continuation)
dojo no kokoroe“Dojo rules to be obeyed”

Attidude: The keikogi (and hakama) must always be clean and tidy. If the clothing gets intodisarray during practice, then one bows to his/her training partner, goes to the edge of thetatami and arranges the clothing once more, this is done with the back to the Kamiza. One
never arranges clothing whilst facing the Kamiza. The keikogi must be neat and tidy at thebeginning and at the end of training.
Behaviour: - During Training it is in one’s own interest to train with as many different
partners as possible as each individual provides us a new experience and thus expands
our knowledge. For the same reason you will want to train with guest Aikidokas evenmore.
- During practice there should be as little as possible explained in words, the language ofthe body is much better. Aikido is firstly experienced on a physical level, after a lot oftraining Aikido induces an inner evolution, which one may reflect upon from time to time.
“with joy, pleasure “
dojo notanoshiku

kokoroe (idealkibishiku“with strictness and seriousness”“learning by watching”

rei homitori geikohitori geikofutari geikofutari tori
ritsu rei“methods ofbowing”

za rei“sitting bow”

behaviour in theDojo)keiko hoTerms to understandand know“ways to train”,
ways to learn(continued)

mitsu no kokoro naoki kokoro
akakuri kokoro“three soul/mind-,behaviours”
kiyoki kokoro
renraku henka waza
karami osae
natsu no tachisankakutai omote/ura
Tai / Ashi Sabaki

1“training in twos”, with a partner“two people holding simultaneously”“standing bow”

“honesty”“clarity”“purity”“techniques chained together”“immobilising with crossed arm”
“sword of the summer”

gyaku kessagiri cut“triangle position of body”, study of imbalance“triangle omote”, the position of the feet andbody in sankakutai omote (instable
triangle is to the front)“triangle ura”, the position of the feet andbody in sankakutai ura (instable triangle tothe back)diagonal cut, crossing from gedan to hasso

yoko giri cut

sideways cut (horizontal) 180°

omote sankaku (hanmi)“Movements of the body / legs (feet)”ura sankaku (hitoemi)
Suburis (“exercises”)
with weapons bokken and jo(continued)“training alone”

1

For more detailed description (with helpful drawings) of the movements please refer to the San Shin Kai Letter No. 3, Article“ASHI SABAKI” available for download at www.dojo-ne.ch under the heading San Shin Kai Letter.

These examination programs are built up following the teaching systemthof Aikido conceived by Shihan Masatomi Ikeda, 7 dan, former
technical Director of the Swiss Aikikai.

© Eric Graf, 13/03/2016

PAGE 2

Technical program
AttackTechnique“on the knees practice”

SUWARIWAZA123

Shomenuchi kiawase

Ikkyo omote / ura
Sankyo omote / ura
Kotegaeshi

for ura : basic and variationfor ura : enter with irimi tenkan
to osae“standing practice”

TACHIWAZA
456789101112

Shomenuchi kiawase

Katatetori aihanmi

Iriminage
Kotegaeshi
Sumiotoshi
Ikkyogoshi
Shihonage
Ikkyo uraIriminage
Kotegaeshi
Nikyo ura - kotegaeshi

13 Sankyo (omote/ura)
Katatetori gyakuhanmi

14 Sankyo (omote/ura)
15 Kotegaeshi

Ryotetori

16 Iriminage
17 Kaitenotoshi (omote/ura)

Katate ryotetori
18 Kotegaeshi
19 Iriminage
20 Ikkyo (omote/ura)
Ushiro ryotetori

21 Nikyo (omote/ura)
22 Shihonage
23 Kotegaeshi24 Shihonage
25 Genkeikokyunage
Hijikime osae
26(omote/ura)
27 Iriminage
Udekimenage
28(omote/ura)
29 Kotegaeshi
30 Jiyuwaza
Ikkyo, nikyo,
31
sankyo, yonkyo
Ikkyo, nikyo,
32
sankyo, yonkyo

Katatori menuchi

Chudantsuki

Yokomenuchi

Shomenuchi kiawase
Chudantsuki

Examination program of 2

Explanation Remarks,Theoretical Elements

ndKYU

basic and variation

theory iriminage andtheory kotegaeshi

via ikkyo kuzushi
enter with counter attack yokomenuchi, to osae
taninzutori
renrakuhenka waza
basic
over ikkyo kuzushi.
tenkan sabaki
kamihanen
via hijikime osae
omote: begin with small tenkan tenshin
ura: irimi with cut kiri oroshi
irimi tenkan tenshin sabaki, jodan kuzushi
1. enter ushiro ashi
basic and variation –irimi tenkan
escape with jodan yin
2. enter mae ashi irimi
holdtenkan(the thinker by Rodin)
1. omote: enter with irimi tenkan (kamihanen),intial contact chudan yang ura
2. ura: enter ushiro ashi tenkan (shimohanen),intial contact jodan yang omotetanren (basic):
begin with tenkan
shimohanentenshin, intial contact
1. basic: kamihanen,jodan yang omote
2. variation: shimohanen
1. omote:
yoko ichimonji gedan
2. ura (variation):tate ichimonji
begin with mae ashi
yoko ichimonji gedan
tenshin, mae ashi irimi
ura: via hijikime osae
karami osae (2 forms),
tate ichimonji
begin with tankan tenshin: shimohanen
1. kata no te2. uchi no te
1. omote: uchi sabaki
2. ura: soto sabaki (gyaku kessagiri)
sotosabaki, version ‘hook onto neck’

enter ushiroashi Irimi
tenkan: makiotoshi

basic and variation

1. omote: enter maeashi irimi
2. ura: enter ushiroashi irimi
only omote:enter ushiroashi irimi tenkan tenshin

PAGE 3

Buki waza“weaponspractice”

katas

Explanation Remarks,
Theoretical Element

2“work with bokken”

Kumi tachi
1 Ichi no tachi “father” & “son”
2 Ni no tachi “father” & “son”

1st bokken kata

3 San no tachi “father” & “son”

3rd bokken kata

4 Yon no tachi “father” & “son”

4th bokken kata

2nd bokken kata

“work with jo”

Kumi jo5678

st

1 kata of Ikeda Senseind
2 kata of Ikeda Senseird
3 kata of Ikeda Senseith
4 kata of Ikeda Sensei

Hojoomote kataura kata
hiki otoshi katamae otoshi kata
From Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū

9 haru no tachi3 “father” & “son”“spring sword”

10 natsu no tachi “father” & “son”“summer sword”

Theoretical knowledge: Aikido system connections to levels (heights) and the organs

Figure 1: Efficiency and realization levels of the basic techniques of Aikido
As can be observed in the above diagram, ikkyo is realised on the level (height) of the bladder, thelower level, the first two chakras correspond to this efficiency level. For example, it is impossible torealize ikkyo by holding the arm of the partner at the height of the shoulder.
Kote gaeshi is realised at the height (of the chakra) of the stomach. One cannot realise kote gaeshi at
the height/level of ikkyo, also not higher than the level of the stomach without losing efficiency.
2The exact detailed descriptions of the katas required in the exam are described in the book “Aikido Sanshinkai: Buki Waza,the practice of weapons in Aikido". This book can be obtained directly from Dojo de Neuchâtel - Espace Culturel or orderedover the internet.
3This kata is the subject of an article in the SSKL N°7 in which it is detailed step by step. This article can be downloaded free ofcharge on the site www.dojo-ne.ch in section San Shin Kai Letter.

Examination program of 2ndKYU

PAGE 4ththIrimi nage is at the height of the chest, the lungs (4 and 5 chakra). The head of uke (partner) isactually at the height of the chakras the heart and neck during the execution of the technique.
ththFinally shiho nage is executed at the height of the head (6 and 7 chakra). The realisation of
shiho nage at any other height is simply physically not possible, as the head of tori has to pass under
the arm of the uke in order to realize this fire technique.
Each technique has its efficiency level (level here refers to the height), and each technique can beassociated with one of the four natural elements (water, earth, air and fire) and each technique can be
assigned a direction. This applies to all Aikido-techniques, but these connections can be seen theclearest in the four basic techniques. These four techniques are like four supports of a room. In thissense all other techniques are more or less a combination of these four basic techniques.
The correlation of level and technique completes a connection between the techniques and theorgans. This also gives us the opportunity to use Aikido as therapy. For example, the techniques of theelement Earth (e.g. kote gaeshi) is connected with the digestive system and can stimulate it. Those ofthe element fire (e.g. shiho nage) are available in connection with the brain and stimulate theconcentration, those of the element air (e.g. irimi nage) stimulate the respiratory organs and the of theelement water (such as ikkyo) the bladder and urinary system. The trainer, who knows this can build atraining, which takes into account the students and the present environmental condition.
The chakras and Aikido techniques
The chakras can be seen as locations (centres) of our being through which the "the bio energy" or the"Ki" penetrates to the central channel (runs the length of our spine and is our heaven/earth axis orcentral axis) and then flows through the network of energy channels (nadis) to the whole body and tothe aura. The chakra system is a very complex and comprehensive topic and for more information on
it, we recommend you to refer to the article "The Chakras" in the SSKL nb. 4. The goal here is toprovide some basic knowledge on the chakras. Since Aikido techniques have their efficiency levels(heights) to which you can assign different organs, the connection to the chakras is present and real.
Each chakra has its specific position in the physical body; this position is called the kshetram see
Figure 2. Most Yoga schools assume that we have seven charkas (main chakras), which are linked
together through the Central Channel, which flows the length of the spine. There exists many morecharkas or secondary energy centres such as the center of the palms of the hands.
.
This text cannot exhaustively explore this topic however we will mention the three phases that chakras
can find themselves ina) the phase of passive existence, where they just exist,b) the phase of energetic and mental activation (we speak of the “opening of the chakras” and“the radiation of the chakras”),c) the phase of the complete spiritual development, in which the harmonization of the chakras,
the dormant parts of the brain and the soul takes place.
Everyone is free in Aikido to choose his path and in the practice to avail of the different levels:a) as a sport, fitness and physical exercise,b) as a way of personal development, that Aikido Practice can induce in us.
4c) or with idea to do this as a spiritual path .

4However it is important to clarify that Aikido is not a religion. In Addition Aikido contradicts no religion, Aikido
calls for peace, Love and harmony.

Examination program of 2ndKYU

PAGE 5The Location of the seven main Chakras(from bottom to top):
1. Muladhara. Mula in Sanskrit means“root” or “Base” so Muladhara is theBasis of the Chakra System.
2. Svadhisthana. Svadhisthan means“personal seat” in Sanskrit. At theheight of the Hara.
3. Manipura. Manipura means “the cityof Gems”. The Tibetans call it “Manipadma” – “the lotus of Gems”. Chakraof the Stomach.
4. Anahata.
Anahatameans“persistence”. The Chakra of the heart.
5. Vishuddha. Vishuddha means“purify”. The Chakra of the Throat
6. Ajna. Ajna means “knowledge, obey
or consequences”, It also means“command”, “alarm center”. The
chakra of the third eye.
7. Sahasrara. Sahasrara means “onethousand” that is why it is symbolized
by a Lotus with a thousand or an
infinite number of red petals. TheChakra at the crown of the head.
Figure 2: Positions of the seven major chakras.
The first and seventh chakras are a simple vortex all the others are double vortices (see Figure 4). The
double chakras are found on both sides of the central channel. I.e. on the front and rear part of thethbody, hence the major distinctions between the omote and ura techniques (see 6 kyu).
It is important to practice frontal attacks (katate ryotetori, katate tori gyakuhanmi and aihanmi, shomenuchi, mune tori, etc.) and attacks from behind (ushiroryote/hiji/kata tori, ushiro kubi jime, ushiro daki kakae,etc.). These actually stimulate the sensitivity of thebody. The attacks from behind stimulate the openingof the chakras on the back of the body, the chakras 2
to 6, the frontal attacks stimulate the frontal opening of
the chakras 2 to 6.
The attacks (kiawase, gedan/chudan/jodan tsuki, etc.)
target the central line and are thus particularly
dangerous. In fact the central lines on the front andthe rear of the body (Figure 3) are extremely
vulnerable since these are energetically to do withsurvival. All the charkas and the most sensitive vital
points are to be found on the central line.
The Attacks like mae keri, resp. shomen uchi, that are
targeted at the first or the seventh chakra are evenmuch more dangerous when they connect precisely
with points above and below of the front and backcentral line.
The connection between the chakras and the simplest
self-defence are numerous and quite clear, but they
Figure 3: central
are mostly forgotten!
Figure 4: simples etlines front anddoubles chakras.
back.

Examination program of 2ndKYU

PAGE 6

Summary of the basic major cuts
The major cuts (kiri oroshi, kessagiri, yoko giri and gyaku kessagiri) are carried out according to happo
giri "the system of cutting in eight directions".
The cuts are classified with reference to a sundial (see Figure 5):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

kiri oroshi: vertical cut from 12h to 6h, on the whole length of the line from jodan to gedan,
kessa giri: diagonal cut from 1h to 7h crossing from hasso to gedan,
yoko giri: lateral (side) cut from 3h to 9h, 180°,
gyaku kessa giri: diagonal cut from 5h to 11h or crossing from gedan to hasso,
kiri oroshi (upwards): vertical cut from 6h to 12h, on the whole length of the line from gedan tojodan, actually not practically feasible,
6. gyaku kessa giri: diagonal cut from 7h to 1h or crossing from gedan to hasso,
7. yoko giri: lateral (side) cut from 9h to 3h, 180°,
8. kessagiri: diagonal cut from 11h to 5h or crossing from hasso to gedan

Figure 5: The major cuts.

The smaller cuts or hits are carried out at the height of jodan. One differentiates between: shomen uchi: “strike to the crown of the head” or vertical cut to the height of the shoulders
 yokomenuchi: “strike to the side of the head” or diagonal cut through the temples crossing
from jodan to hasso.

Examination program of 2ndKYU