大東流合気柔術 Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu
Ranking system
Traditionally, the recognition of a student's abilities was done by granting certificates recognizing one's proficiency in a certain segment of the curriculum of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu. From the 1950's, as part of some of the transformations and additions to the Daito-ryu tradition, a formal level (or "dan") ranking system was added.
Both system are in use in parallel today; for instance, some students have both been granted certificates and a level. Some, while not having recieved any formal level ranking, have been granted certificates which recognizes their capacities in regards to the application of a certain set of techniques.
One thing which has to be understood is that they remain two separate system; someone with a certificate of a certain part of the curriculum is not automatically granted a level which would normally cover the same part of the said curriculum.
It is also noteworthy that some of our oversee branch and study group heads have not been awarded any certificate or level yet; these are people which are currently solely focusing on the certificate progression, and therefore have not taken any tests which are part of the level progression. As head of branches andi/or study group, they have been recognized by the Daito-ryu headquarters to be sufficiently proficient in a considerable part of the curriculum to be given the reponsibility of both managing a study group and teaching techniques up to a given level.
A list of current rank and certificate holders may be found under the Location section; Each branches and study groups now displays the list of their current head and students which have been awarded a level or a certification.