General overview of grades

Basic Kamae posture, Hiriki-no-chikara elbow power, and Ukemi breakfalls.

Precise, rigid branch of Aikido founded by Gozo Shioda in 1955.

Tai-no-henko basic movements and first Shomenuchi Ikkajo technique.

Solidifying central axis and spine alignment in motion.

Ikkajo (1st) and Nikajo (2nd) controls against Katatetori wrist grabs.

Utilizing full body weight at the moment of grip contact.

Sankajo (3rd) and Yonkajo (4th) techniques and Shomenuchi strike evasion.

Precise wrist and elbow joint immobilization under pressure.

Shotei-uchi palm strikes and first four-direction Shiho-nage throw.

Full torso rotation in all four cardinal directions.

Sokumen Iriminage entering throws and Kote-gaeshi wrist turns.

Rapid entry into attacker's dead angle.

Hijinage elbow throws and defense against double wrist grabs.

Fluid redirection of opponent's aggressive force to the ground.

Kneeling Suwari-waza techniques, Tenchinage heaven-and-earth throws, and Tanto.

Power generation from hips while kneeling on tatami.

Hanmi-handachi-waza combinations (kneeling defender vs standing attacker).

Neutralizing height and reach advantage of a standing attacker.

Pre-master rank. Jiyuwaza multiple attacker defense and Bokken sword drills.

Spontaneous reaction fluidity in preparation for Shodan black belt exam.

Full master rank. Official instructor certified by AYF (Aikido Yoshinkai).

Shodan = Black belt confirming mastery of Yoshinkan rigid structure.

Full-speed applied techniques, examination judging, and dojo leadership.

Deepening dynamic power in realistic self-defense application.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Riot Squad training & high tactical coordination.

Sandan = Instructor with certified riot police training background.

Senior teacher rank. Directing regional associations and international seminars.

Mastery maturity in Gozo Shioda's technique and philosophy.

Senior Shihan title. Training national instructors and AYF Honbu representation.

Shihan = Living guarantor of Shioda's Yoshinkan Aikido purity.