International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF)

The IYAF bylaws

In 2008, the International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF) was changed to the Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation (AYF). The information on this page is considered no longer relevant but will be retained in its original format as an historical record of the IYAF and its bylaws. - date: 27/09/2009.

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 Honbu dojo and access to the following:

• - Instructor certificates
• - Kyu and dan certificates
• - Dojo registration Certificates
• - International Membership cards
• - Subsidized visits by Honbu Dojo and IYAF instructors
• - Instructors courses
• - Historical documents
• - Teaching materials, including videos

Instructor Certificates

All Yoshinkan black belt students (yudansha) are eligible for IYAF instructor certificates. Issued directly by Soke Shioda Gozo, these certificates, or teaching licenses are valid for life. They establish a direct link with Soke Shioda Gozo. Holders of these certificates are registered instructors. No annual registration is necessary.

Requirements are:

• - Dan ranking in Yoshinkan aikido and,
• - 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 rank.

Long term, within anyone 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. Only one national federation will be recognized by the IYAF.

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 instructor's name will be filled in by the instructor. Dan certificates and children's dan certificates will be issued individually by Soke Shioda Gozo. 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 Soke Shioda Gozo may receive dojo registration certificates.

International Membership Cards

Membership with the IYAF is available to all students and instructors of Yoshinkan aikido worldwide. Membership is automatic for all persons belonging to existing or future Yoshinkan groups. No membership fee is necessary. In several countries, the political situation within the martial arts generates the need for physical evidence of membership. To provide this, IYAF membership cards are available to those groups who wish to use them (see fees and conditions). These cards bear the internationally recognized Yoshinkan Aikido symbol, the students photograph, name, address, country and student number; and the name of the student's dojo.

Subsidized Visits by Honbu Dojo and IYAF Instructors

To assist overseas groups, instructors from the honbu dojo are available for overseas visits. Salaries are paid by honbu dojo in the main, with a subsidy provided by the IYAF. The international airfare will be paid for by the IYAF, finances permitting. Honbu dojo instructors will participate in regular classes and conduct clinics, gradings, demonstrations, and instructor courses. Any group may invite instructors from the honbu dojo. Accommodation can be in the form of a homestay. Visiting instructors may be utilized in fund raising by host groups. Dependent on finances, grants maybe available for IYAF instructors to visit existing or future Yoshinkan aikido groups. Applications should be submitted to the IYAF.

Teaching Materials and Instructor Courses

The honbu dojo has a wide variety of teaching materials: guidelines for kyu and dan techniques and tests, instructional video tapes 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

The IYAF seeks to reduce the cost of instructor's licenses and to provide extensive support for all individuals involved in teaching Yoshinkan Aikido.

Membership Cards, and Certificates

Description	Cost in Yen
International Membership Cards - (Three year registration)	¥ 1,500
Instructor Certificates - (Lifetime registration)	¥ 20,000
Dojo Registration Certificates - (Lifetime registration)	¥ 20,000

Costs and scope of Instructor Certificates

Dan Level	Grading responsibility	Upgrading fee	Total Cost
1st	4th kyu		¥ 20,000*
2nd	1st kyu	¥ 5,000	¥ 25,000*
3rd	1st dan	¥ 5,000	¥ 30,000*
4th	2nd dan	¥ 10,000	¥ 40,000*
5th	3rd dan	¥ 30,000	¥ 70,000*
6th	4th dan	¥ 50,000	¥ 120,000*

Instructor Certificates

* Note: includes lifetime registration

Application of Fees

Fees from IYAF membership and instructors and dojo registration certificates will be used to subsidize overseas visits by Honbu Dojo instructors. Fees from kyu and dan rankings go directly to the IYAF for administration costs. All instructor, dan and dojo certificates will be written in Japanese, with an English translation on the reverse side. A special fee structure is available for economically less developed countries.

The fees for kyu and dan certificates are those applied in Japan. For dan tests administered by non-honbu dojo instructors, only 50% of the certificate fees must be submitted to the IYAF, the remaining 50% stays with the instructor.

Fees for Kyu and Dan Certificates

Kyu Certificate	Dan Certificate	Quantity	Total Cost
1st-10th		Sets of Five	¥ 5,000
	1st dan	1	¥ 12,000
	2nd dan	1	¥ 25,000
	3rd dan	1	¥ 40,000
	4th dan	1	¥ 60,000
	5th dan	1	¥ 90,000
	6th dan	1	¥ 120,000

If the dan grading is conducted by a honbu dojo instructor, the following processing fee is also required:

Processing Fees for Dan Certificates

Certificate	Quantity	Cost
1st dan	1	¥ 2,000
2nd dan	1	¥ 3,000
3rd dan	1	¥ 3,000
4th dan	1	¥ 3,000
5th dan	1	¥ 3,000
6th dan	1	¥ 5,000

Time Requirements

The minimum time required between dan grading is as follows unless otherwise specified by the testing committee in consultation with Soke Shioda Gozo.

Time Requirements between Dan Gradings

Dan Grading Span	Time Requirement
1st dan to 2nd dan	One year
2nd dan to 3rd dan	Two years
3rd dan to 4th dan	Three years
4th dan to 5th dan	Four years
5th dan to 6th dan	Five years
6th dan to 7th dan	Six years
7th dan to 8th dan	Eight years

Note: Gradings for 5th dan and above are conducted only by Honbu Dojo instructors. Rankings of 6th dan and above are usually awarded through recommendation or invitation, although those who wish to test may do so.

Please add 10% to all fees to cover the cost of postage and handling - to a maximum of Yen 5,000. For further details on the IYAF or Yoshinkan Aikido in Japan, please contact the IYAF, Japan.

IYAF Bylaws as per original IYAF Bylaws - with updated prices for Dan certificates, and the 10% shipping and handling fee capped at Yen 5,000, as per June 1997 information notice from IYAF.