Aikilove said:Yes Koichi Tohei recieved (equivalent of 10 dan) but he is no longer part of aikikai.
He was not the only one to recieve 10 dan from the founder. Michio Hikitsuchi and Seiseki Abe (who are actually alive!) are two that also recieved it (verbally) from him.
/J
Aikilove said:who wouldn't!
And yes Wayne I'm an aikikai member, both indirectly through swedish aikikai and directly as dan graded (then you get a membership number of hombu dojo in tokyo).
/J
Aikilove said:TKD would be Tae Kwon Do as far as I know.
I don't understand question number 2.
I'm currently shodan (1 dan) just a beginner, that is.
/J
Aikilove said:I assume you refere to hakama (typically black wide pants).
When you may wear hakama vary between organisations and between dojo and even sometime between gender. In some places men may wear hakama first after passing 1 dan exam while ladies may wear them from start. In Sweden within aikikai one may wear hakama after passing 3 kyu exam (men as well as women).
I passed my shodan exam after about 5 years of regular training.
I suggest you use the search feature on this site if you have more questions. They may already have been asked before.
/J