Recommendation Rank Instructions

August 20, 2023

All Kagami Biraki promotions (fifth dan and above) are recommendation ranks issued by the Doshu and the Hombu Dojo Executive Committee.

While the Division Head submits a recommendation,* the final decision comes from Japan. Division Heads and the applicant are responsible for submitting completed applications, payment and Yudansha book before the October 7th deadline.

1. Division Heads must notify the clerk by email of all candidates for 5th Dan and above by August 10th. *
2. The Division Head and the candidate will will confer about the process for completing the the application. ** Note: each Division Head may have a different process, so this step is VITAL.
3. Once that has taken place, if the candidate is going to pay via PayPal, submit the payment here. Checks or money orders should be made payable to California Aikido Association or CAA and mailed to the CAA mailing address.
4. The candidate can fill out the online application form.***.
5. Mail the Yudansha book with seminar attendance to the CAA mailing address. Seminar attendance is required by Japan. If the book is missing, order a new one and submit a list of seminar attendance. The document replacement form is on the same page as the application.

* For Nanadan the wording in the application should be that the Div Head requests the Nanadan rank (rather than recommends it.)

** For student outside USA, there is a Delegation of Examination process that the Division Head and the Clerk will complete once the clerk has been notified of the recommendation.

*** Candidates are expected to train as well as teach.