Yoshinkan Aikido is not a sport. Aikido is the development and strengthening of the body and mind, and the practical side of Aikido must never be forgotten.

• IYAF Training Programs
• IYAF Information : IYAF Forms
• IYAF Information : By Laws

IYAF Training Programs

The Yoshinkan Honbu dojo has developed the following courses to allow students from around the world to experience Yoshinkan Aikido and dojo life.

For more information on these programs, please email the IYAF at: iyaf@celery.ocn.ne.jp

Option One: Regular International Class

This regular class is open to students who wish to train and learn Yoshinkan Aikido in English. This class was designed for the International Community living in Japan. Teachers consist of past Senshusei Graduates who have been Assistant Instructors and are now registered Honbu Dojo Instructors.
Students are also able to attend regular classes taught in Japanese.

Option Two: Stay Program

This program is open to groups or students who wish to train and stay at the Honbu Dojo. Groups are able to visit the Honbu Dojo, sharing and experiencing the culture of Japan.
Students are able to train at their own pace towards their specific goals while living the dojo life. Students can work towards their next grading or even an instructor certificate.

Honbu Dojo Gradings

Option Three: 3 month Teacher Course (Jan. - March)

This course has been designed for senior students (shodan and above) to work towards their instructor qualifications.

Students will review the fundamentals of Yoshinkan Aikido and learn how to instruct them to students. Upon completing the course and passing the instructor qualifications, students are eligible to open a certified dojo and receive an Instructor license.

This is not the Senshusei Program. Students most complete and graduate from the 11 month program to be classified as a Senshusei. Although the Teacher Course runs parallel with the Senshusei program, only some classes will be shared. Students are expected to be at top physical health and have a strong understanding of Yoshinkan Aikido as there will be no time for conditioning or lengthy review.

3 month Teacher Course:

Option Four: The Senshusei Course

The Senshusei Course is typically a year long intensive aikido course for those who really want to dedicate themselves to Yoshinkan Aikido.

The course is the only one of its kind in the world having been originally developed in the early 1960's to train the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police in Yoshinkan Aikido as a traditional budo form.

It continues to this day, with a small but elite group of men and women having had the distinction of graduating with a Senshusei Shodan qualification.

Participants are apprenticed to the dojo for typically for 1 year from April to March of the following year.
During this period Senshusei will participate in the daily life of the dojo, starting their day with cleaning duties, training alongside both regular students and the kidotai (riot police) whilst receiving instruction directly from the instructors at honbu dojo.

Senshusei are in the dojo for most of the day, train 3 classes a day 5 days a week. The Senshusei Course takes participants, regardless of their rank or ability, back through all the basics of Yoshinkan aikido through to advanced techniques, jiyu waza, self-defense and instructional methods for teachers.

Yoshinkan Honbu accepts applicants, both male and female from all nationalities. Prior experience in aikido is highly recommended but is not a prerequisite. This course is not something that can be undertaken lightly. It is a very physical course that is difficult for both the experienced and novice to undertake.

Whilst we encourage all serious students of Yoshinkan Aikido to consider this course we urge all those contemplating application to fully research this course before committing themselves to it.

Senshusei Course:

Yoshinkan Organizational Chart

IIYAF Information : IYAF Forms

Dan recommendation, Instructor recommendation, and Dojo registration forms are available from the IYAF to registered instructors. Instructors requesting electronic or paper copies of these forms, or who have questions concerning the application process should contact the IYAF at iyaf@celery.ocn.ne.jp Please include your full name, dojo and instructors level for verification.

Instructors submitting Dan recommendation, Instructor recommendation and Dojo registration forms are requested to fill out all fields and boxes. Dates should be written Year / Month/ Day. Incomplete or illegible forms will NOT be processed.

Payment Details

As bank charges in Japan are particularly high personal cheques to the equivalent of Japanese Yen in your own currency are the preferred method of payment. Cheques should be made payable to Kiyoko Ono in favor of IYAF. Please note that any deviation from this will not be accepted by the bank.

When submitting any payments or forms please include a summary letter detailing what you are paying for, the amount to be paid in Japanese Yen the conversion rate and amount you are submitting in your currency. To cover shipping and handling add 10% of the total cost to a maximum of 5,000 Yen.

Tips and Suggestions

When sending the application form, please provide a return address in the attached letter.

Make sure that the check is made out properly. Variations on the spelling of "Kiyoko" or "favor" will not be accepted by the bank.

Make sure that the application form is completely filled out.

IYAF Information : By Laws

The aim of the IYAF is to support the overseas teaching of Yoshinkai Aikido. Through the Federation, instructors worldwide have a direct link to the Hombu Dojo and access to the following:

1. Instructor Certificates
2. Kyu and Dan Certificates
3. Dojo Registration Certificates
4. Subsidized visits by Hombu Dojo and IYAF Instructors
5. Instructors Courses
6. Historical Documents
7. Teaching materials (including videos)

Instructor Certificates

All Yoshinkan black belt students (Yudansha) are eligible for IYAF Instructor Certificates. Issued directly from the Hombu Dojo, these certificates (or teaching licenses) are valid for life. They establish a direct link with the Hombu Dojo. Holders of these certificates are registered instructors. No annual registration is necessary. Requirements are:

1. Dan ranking in Yoshinkan Aikido
2. Recommendation from an IYAF instructor ranked 3rd dan or higher.

Instructors may grade students, obtain kyu and dan certificates from the IYAF and use the name Yoshinkan Aikido and the Yoshinkan Aikido symbol. As instructors themselves are promoted, they may apply for certificates stating the grading responsibility of their higher rank.

Long-term, within any one country there will develop a number of registered instructors. These instructors may collectively form regional or national federations. Such federations should provide democratic representation for the interest of all member instructors. In certain countries, the political environment may make national federations useful.

Kyu and Dan Certificates

Kyu and dan certificates are available for students graded by registered instructors. Kyu certificates are available for rankings beginning at 9th kyu and must be used from 3rd kyu. The student's name and kyu, the date and the instructor's name will be filled in by the instructor. Dan certificates will be issued individually by the Hombu Dojo. The student's name will be written on the certificate at the IYAF.
Registration of gradings with the IYAF is necessary for gradings to be entered in the Yoshinkan records. Records of kyu and dan rankings should be submitted to the IYAF on a regular basis.

Dojo Registration Certificates

The IYAF can provide registration certificates for Yoshinkan Aikido dojos. These certificates prove that dojos are officially recognized by the IYAF. Only individuals approved by the IYAF may receive dojo registration certificates.

Subsidized visits by Hombu Dojo and IYAF Instructors

To assist overseas groups, instructors from the Hombu Dojo are available for overseas visits. Salaries are paid by Hombu Dojo in the main, but host groups are requested to contribute the equal of 5000yen teaching fee per day, per one location. Note: If instructors are required to travel and teach at two separate locations in one day the fee should be adjusted accordingly. The international airfare will be paid by the IYAF, finances permitting. Hombu Dojo instructors will participate in regular classes and conduct clinics, gradings, demonstrations and instructors courses. Any group may invite instructors from the Hombu Dojo. Accommodation can be in the form of a home stay. Visiting instructors may be utilized in fund raising by host groups. Dependent on finances, grants may be available for the IYAF instructors to visit existing or future Yoshinkan Aikido groups. Applications should be submitted to the IYAF.

Teaching Materials and Instructor Courses

The Hombu Dojo has a variety of teaching materials: guidelines for kyu and dan techniques and tests, instructional videotapes and publications, and instructor courses and gradings. The International Instructors Course is eleven months in duration. Shorter courses can be designed for those with time constraints.

Fees and Conditions

When tested by a hombu dojo instructor the full hombu amount must be remitted. This price includes the testing fee. If an overseas instructor administers the test the amount in the IYAF column is to be remitted.

When remitting fees, cheques should be made out in your local currency (dollars, euros, etc.) and written out to Kiyoko Ono in favor of IYAF. Cheques made out in Japanese Yen are charged high bank fees. To cover shipping and handling add 10% of the total cost to a maximum of 5,000 Yen.

IYAF Certificates

The IYAF issues dan, instructor and dojo certificates.
In order to clarify what are the correct certificates and prevent misunderstandings we have placed a copy of the dan and instructor certificate on this site.
These are the only certificates recognized by Aikido Yoshinkai and the IYAF.

The following is a translation of each certificate

Dan Certificate

(Reading from right to left)
Registered Number
Certification
(Blank space for) Registered Name for Dan
The person listed on the right is registered as a ____dan in Aikido.
Year / Month / Day
Aikido Yoshinkan
Soke Yasuhisa Shioda

Instructor Certificate

(Reading from right to left)
Teacher Certification
Name of Teacher’s Country
Yoshin, (blank space for) Registered Name
The person listed on the right having passed the Yoshinkan Aikido Instructors test is admitted as a ____ level instructor and is qualified to recommend students up to the rank of ____ kyu / dan.
Year / Month / Day
Aikido Yoshinkan
Soke Yasuhisa Shioda