Ranking in most aikidô dôjô is based on a belt system derived from
the one originated for sport jûdô. A variety of kyû ranks lead up to certi-
fication as shôdan (first dan, usually translated as first-degree black belt),
usually designated by a black belt. Dan ranks proceed from this important
step, and upper ranks may vary according to the particular affiliation of
the dôjô.
The hakama,a traditional divided-skirt garment, is seen in many
aikidô dôjô, often as a rank designator similar to the black belt. Ueshiba
considered the wearing of this garment to be a matter of basic courtesy for
students of all ranks, but modern dôjô traditions vary widely, and the wear-
ing of the hakama may be required for all students or restricted to partic-
ular students according to local custom.
With its lack of tournaments and its unusual philosophical emphasis,
aikidô has spread through different venues than other popular martial arts.
Seen from its inception as an art with broad philosophical implications and
many applications outside the realm of physical conflict, aikidô has at-
tracted more academic interest than most martial arts and has been advo-
cated in adapted forms as a paradigm in psychology, business, and conflict
management. The physical effectiveness of aikidô, along with its humane
priorities, has held considerable appeal for law enforcement applications as
well, and Shioda Gôzô’s Yoshinkan Aikidô (a style heavily influenced by
prewar aikibudô) was chosen for the training of the elite Tokyo police.
However, the art has generally had a low media profile, with the exception
of the film career of senior aikidô practitioner Steven Seagal. (His movies
have featured a great deal of aikidô-influenced fight choreography.)
Training in aikidô is today readily available in much of the world,
thanks in part to deliberate efforts by Ueshiba to establish his art world-
wide as a way of promoting his ideals.
William J. Long
See alsoJûdô; Ki/Qi; Religion and Spiritual Development: Japan; Wrestling
and Grappling: Japan
References
Dobson, Terry. 1993. Aikido in Everyday Life: Giving in to Get Your Way.
Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.
Higashi, Nobuyoshi. 1989.Aikido: Tradition and New Tomiki Free
Fighting Method.Burbank, CA: Unique Publications.
Pranin, Stanley. 1991. Aiki News Encyclopedia of Aikido.Rolling Hills
Estates, CA: Aiki News.
Shioda, Gôzô. 1997. Total Aikido: The Master Course.Tokyo: Kodansha
International.
Sosa, Bill. 1997. The Secrets of Police Aikido: Controlling Tactics Used by
Law Enforcement Professionals.Burbank, CA: Citadel Press.
Stevens, John. 1987.Abundant Peace: The Biography of Morihei Ueshiba,
Founder of Aikido. Boston: Shambhala Publications.Aikidô 15