# Shodan test Saturday, aikido **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2006, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597 "2006-04-21T11:10:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/1 "2006-04-21T11:10:59Z")
Finally going up for shodan, sixteen years after I started aikido. I’m the world’s oldest living white belt in captivity. I didn’t test for my first five years because I started just a couple of years out of med school, and didn’t want the panic and misery I associated with tests (which I do very well on, oddly) to spill over into my hobby. I took first kyu seven years ago. I had to stop practicing except for rare seminars for about three and a half years there in the seven years, so it’s really only something like twelve and a half years a white belt. My teacher is my husband. This wasn’t intentional on either of our parts. I am a little nervous, but I probably should be more nervous for them, particularly in the randori. United States Aikido Federation ryu under Y. Yamada from NYC. Any words of wisdom, and/or encouragement? And/or slaps upside the head? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/2 "2006-04-21T11:38:47Z")
Would it be inappropriate to hope that you kick ass? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ChuckForbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@ChuckForbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChuckForbin)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/3 "2006-04-21T11:52:06Z")
Good Luck ! So, in Akido, you go straight from white belt to black belt ? ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/4 "2006-04-21T12:28:42Z")
I’ll have you know that the Roxette song about ‘She’s a little bit dangerous’ came on just as I opened this thread. Definately a good sign! I wish you luck, and keep us updated! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/5 "2006-04-21T12:28:48Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] Any words of wisdom, and/or encouragement? And/or slaps upside the head? [/QUOTE] I just passed my test for 2nd Dan in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) a couple weeks ago, so I can understand how you feel. All I can really tell you is that your instructor would not have you test if he didn’t think you could pass. He knows you know the stuff. You know you know the stuff. All that is required is that you show him and everyone else that you know the stuff. You’ve been through it all a thousand times before. This will be no different. I am sure you will have no problems. Go kick some butt! May I offer advanced congratulations on passing your test. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/6 "2006-04-21T13:29:08Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] Finally going up for shodan, sixteen years after I started aikido. [/QUOTE] Hmmm…I don’t know if you’re ready. [He can get kind of ornery.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=358810)😃 ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/7 "2006-04-21T14:34:47Z")
[QUOTE=OtakuLoki] Would it be inappropriate to hope that you kick ass? 😉 [/QUOTE] Awww… Good Luck ! [QUOTE=Chuck Forbin] So, in Akido, you go straight from white belt to black belt ? [/QUOTE] Uh huh. Most schools. Ours, anyway. [QUOTE=ArrMatey!] I’ll have you know that the Roxette song about ‘She’s a little bit dangerous’ came on just as I opened this thread. Definately a good sign! I wish you luck, and keep us updated [/QUOTE] God bless you, kind sir! God bless you! [QUOTE=Dragwyr] I just passed my test for 2nd Dan in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) a couple weeks ago, so I can understand how you feel. All I can really tell you is that your instructor would not have you test if he didn’t think you could pass. He knows you know the stuff. You know you know the stuff. All that is required is that you show him and everyone else that you know the stuff. You’ve been through it all a thousand times before. This will be no different. I am sure you will have no problems. Go kick some butt! [/QUOTE] Aww again. But are you so sure about the instructor thing? After all I’m married to him. Been married to him for twelve years. Maybe he’s scared to say no? [QUOTE=Cluricaun] Hmmm…I don’t know if you’re ready. He can get kind of ornery. [/QUOTE] Well, if I’d been a shodan for 7,000+ posts, I’d get a little ornery too. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/8 "2006-04-21T16:03:32Z")
I’m a 5th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. I won’t wish you good luck, because it’s not luck that has gotten you here. It’s perseverance mixed in with dedication, devotion and discipline. Have fun on your testing. I’m sure you will do well! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/9 "2006-04-21T16:31:25Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] > [@](#): > > Hmmm…I don’t know if you’re ready. He can get kind of ornery. Well, if I’d been a shodan for 7,000+ posts, I’d get a little ornery too. [/QUOTE] 7,000 posts, and more than thirty years. I am not big on the current trend towards rank inflation. Judo, not aikido, though. Good luck. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/10 "2006-04-21T16:44:36Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] 7,000 posts, and more than thirty years. I am not big on the current trend towards rank inflation. Judo, not aikido, though. Good luck. Regards, Shodan [/QUOTE] Aikidoka love judoka. And judoka love doing judo on aikidoka! Speak I truth or not, sir? I also could be described as not big on the trend towards rank inflation. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/11 "2006-04-21T17:31:58Z")
The best of luck to you ~ ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/12 "2006-04-21T18:44:06Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] Aikidoka love judoka. And judoka love doing judo on aikidoka! Speak I truth or not, sir? [/QUOTE] 'Struth indeed. I can particularly remember doing uchi-mata on a (I believe) Tomiki stylist, who claimed that he was unthrowable because he was going to do that ‘unliftable’ thing, so his ki made him stick to the floor. 😃 Although, to be fair, I knew another guy who could bring off shiho-nage even in randori, especially if I got careless. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/13 "2006-04-22T12:03:22Z")
Uh. Hungover this morning (but that’s traditional). Anyway we had fun last night and now it’s time. See you all later. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/14 "2006-04-22T12:07:37Z")
Ganbatte! ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/15 "2006-04-23T09:41:13Z")
[QUOTE=OtakuLoki] Ganbatte! [/QUOTE] Aww… Gozaimash’te! ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/16 "2006-04-23T09:44:01Z")
I passed! I am very proud. Thank you to all who encouraged me. Your comments and outside courage really did help. Now every joint in my body is sore. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/17 "2006-04-23T16:33:06Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] Aikidoka love judoka. And judoka love doing judo on aikidoka! [/QUOTE] Okeydokey. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/18 "2006-04-23T20:21:24Z")
Congratulations! Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/19 "2006-04-23T20:39:19Z")
[QUOTE=gabriela] Now every joint in my body is sore. [/QUOTE] I would think that you should be able to call on your teacher to provide some massage therapy. Heck, it should be his responsibility to volunteer that service. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597/20 "2006-04-23T22:59:40Z")
[QUOTE=ChuckForbin] Good Luck ! So, in Akido, you go straight from white belt to black belt ? [/QUOTE] Yep; two flavors, white and black. For those who don’t know, Yamada Sensei is just about top dog in the Aikido world Bizz (ex-aikidoka from Kanai-Sensei’s dojo in Cambridge) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shodan-test-saturday-aikido/353597.md?page=2)