grading system

Aikido has a kyu-dan system similar to other martial arts such as Karate and Judo.
The kyu (grade) levels are white or coloured belts and represent new and intermediate level students and the dan (degree) levels are black belts, and represent various advanced practitioner levels. The chart below is the belt system used at the Hiryukan.

A child who obtains a 1st dan in the youth program, will enter the adult program as a 4th kyu. The teacher will assess all other children entering the adult program on an individual basis to determine an appropriate starting level.