The TAE grading syllabus presents a check-list of techniques against which a student’s development of Aikido principles can be tested. It is not a teaching curriculum – which can, and should be, broader.
Ukemi, footwork and being balanced remain the primary focus points. Once the periphery of the body (hands and feet) are more coordinated and the weight is more ‘underneath’, further Principles such as being whole and coordinated and being centered are explored along with the Relational Principles of non-resistance, joining and following (awase), which receive more focused attention.
The objective by 1st kyu is to have a clear idea as to the basic techniques as well as a clear idea of the primary principles governing body use, relationship and the generation of power (kokyu ryokyu). 1st kyu is essentially a pre-test for shodan and thus the requirements for this next exam should be consulted when preparing for 1st kyu.
3rd Kyu
Indicative training hours prior to 3rd kyu grading used in West Cumbria Aikido - an additional 140-hr (290-hr in total). Training time should ideally be split at 25% ken, 25% jo and 50% tai jutsu.
KEN
Ken suburi 1-7
JO
BUKI DORI
Ken and Jo - one of each (tachi dori examples)
TAI JUTSU
Morote dori kokyu ho (basic form)
Suwari waza kokyu ho (basic form)
Nage waza: kote gaeshi, shiho nage (omote and ura) and irimi nage (omote) one of each from a freely chosen attack
2nd Kyu
Indicative training hours prior to 2nd kyu grading used in West Cumbria Aikido - an additional 170-hr (460-hr in total). Training time should ideally be split at 25% ken, 25% jo and 50% tai jutsu.
KEN
Ken suburi 1-7
JO
Jo suburi 1-10
BUKI DORI
Ken and Jo - two of each (tachi dori examples)
TAI JUTSU
Morote dori kokyu ho (basic form)
Suwari waza kokyu ho (basic form)
Osae waza: ikkyo, nikkyo, sankyo and yonkyo (omote and ura) and gokkyo (ura only) from shomen uchi
Nage waza: kote gaeshi, shiho nage (omote and ura), irimi nage (omote), and kokyu nage two of each from a freely chosen attack
1st Kyu
Indicative training hours prior to 1st kyu grading used in West Cumbria Aikido - an additional 200-hr (660-hr in total). Training time should ideally be split at 25% ken, 25% jo and 50% tai jutsu.
KEN
Ken suburi 1-7
Migi and hidari awase
JO
San ju ichi (31) jo no kata
BUKI DORI
Ken, Jo and tanken) - three of each (tachi dori examples)
TAI JUTSU
Morote dori kokyu ho (basic form)
Suwari waza kokyu ho (basic form)
Osae waza: Ikkyo, nikyo, sankyu, yonkyo (omote and ura) and gokyo (ura only) from yokomen uchi in suwari waza
Nage waza: kote gaeshi, shiho nage (omote and ura), irimi nage (omote), kokyu nage, koshi nage and ushiro waza three of each from a freely chosen attack
JIYU WAZA
Against one attacker (example)
Glossary
The following definitions aim to illustrate how the terms are used within the context of the TAE grading syllabus:
Aikido – interpreted in various ways, one of which is ‘way of harmony’.
Buki - weapon.
Buki dori - weapons taking.
Choku tsuki - direct strike (no. 1 jo suburi).
Chudan - mid-level.
Gokyo - fifth wrist pin.
Hidari - left.
Hidari awase - blend to teh left.
Irimi - enter.
Irimi nage - entering throw.
Ikkyo – first arm/wrist pin.
Jo – the short staff.
Jiyu waza - free-response practice to one or several ukes, but involving a prescribed single attack form.
Kata – a predetermined sequence of moves, but see also ‘kata dori’ which relates to a grab.
Ken – used as shorthand for bokken, meaning wooden sword.
Kihon waza – basic techniques.
Kokyu ho – exercise to develop coordinated whole-body power.
Kokyu nage - breath power throw.
Kokyu ryokyu - breath / whole body power.
Kote gaeshi – wrist turn-out technique.
Kyu – a level of white belt grade.
Migi - right.
Migi awase - blend to the right
Morote dori – arm grab where your opponent grabs your lower arm with both hands.
Nage waza - throwing techniques.
Nikkyo – second arm/wrist pin.
Omote – techniques where you move across the front of your partner.
Osae waza - pinning techniques.
Ryote dori – where both wrists are grabbed.
Sankyo - third wrist pin.
Shiho nage – a four-direction throw.
Suburi – a short and specific movement / sequence of movements with a weapon (see 'jo' and 'ken') undertaken as a solo exercise.
Suwari waza – techniques undertaken from a kneeling (seated) position.
Ki no nagre – a level of technique undertaken in a flowing dynamic fashion.
Tachi dori - sword taking.
Tai jutsu – empty-handed / unarmed Aikido techniques of pinning and throwing.
Tai no henko – body turning exercise.
Tanken - short sword / dagger, synonymous with tanto.
Ukemi – the art of receiving a technique, including rolls and breakfalls.
Ura – techniques where you move to the back of your partner.
Ushiro - rear.
Ushiro ukemi – rear or backward rolls / breakfalls.
Ushiro waza - attacks from the rear.
Waza – group of techniques.
Yonkyo - fourth wrist pin.