Who is Shioda Gozo Sensei?

Gozo Shioda (塩田 剛三 Shioda Gōzō, September 9, 1915 – July 17, 1994) was a Japanese master of aikido who founded the Yoshinkan style of aikido. He was one of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba's most senior students. Shioda held the rank of 10th dan in aikido.

 "Gozo Shioda",  Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 12 June 2017 at 10:25, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gozo_Shioda 

If you google his name on youtube, you can find many videos.

In the video, he said "The secret of Aikido is to enjoy practicing Aikido.

As you enjoy practicing Aikido, you will find that you like it more and more." 

How did you feel after watching the video? 

Did you think 

"Wow! He is incredibly strong!" or "It can't be real or it's fake" ? 

You'll know the answer if you continue and enjoy Aikido!!!

 There are many great Sensei that you can learn from or see their wonderful skills like Shioda Sensei at Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu dojo. This dojo is very international and it's always welcome to everyone from overseas. The chief instructor at Ryu Headquarters Dojo and the head of Non Profit Organisation Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu, Ando Tsuneo Sensei 8 dan used to be an uchi-deshi(live in student) of Shioda Sensei. Finally, here the video of Ando Sensei!

What you do on the test

To know how the kyu test (kyu shinsa) goes, I've added the video which was recorded at Meiryukan Dojo in Japan on July 2016.

5 participants appear in the video. The two children in front were most likely taking 8 kyu test and three children in back were taking 9 - 10 kyu test. In the video, all of them were very serious and trying very hard. They look great. As BSP members of the Aikido Club, don't worry- you can do it as well if you show your guts and your passion!

The test goes as below.

<<<<TEST FLOW>>>>

1. Waiting with seiza.

2. When your name is called, say "Hai" as loud as you can and run to the front line of the mat as fast as you can.

3. One of the participants who is nominated in advance by sensei says "Kiotsuke! Sensei ni rei".

4. You step back by 2 lines and spread out towards the side so as not to bump each other as Sensei announces.

5. <SKILL CHECK!!!!>
For example, when Sensei says "Zenpo kaiten ukemi" then you do it. It's important to note that you have to continue doing it until Sensei says "Yame (Stop)".

6. At the end, do kamae all together.

7. Sensei says "Shomen" and all of you run to the front line and says "Osu, Arigato gozaimashita (Thank you very much)".

Finish!

As I always say, please don't forget that your test has already begun. Ordinary lessons are the most important. Please keep putting effort and control yourself(shouldn't be selfish). Behavior is also a part of the test.

About Kyu/Dan test

When you reach a certain level (kyu), you will be asked if you would like to take a test for the appropriate kyu. Usually you can start from 10/9/8 kyu. Please check the chart below. If you pass the test, you will get a certificate and change your obi colour!

2nd dan and above
↑
1st dan (black)
↑
1st kyu (brown)
↑
2nd kyu (brown)
↑
3rd kyu (orange)
↑
4th kyu (orange)
↑
5th kyu (yellow)
↑
6th kyu (yellow)
↑
7th kyu  (blue)
↑
8th kyu  (blue)
↑
9th kyu (blue)
↑
10th kyu