However, with aikidô currently having spread to over 80 countries, it is a terribly difficult proposition to ensure that every single group correctly understands and carries out the grading system. Leaving aside my impressions of having attained the highest grade under this new system, I would like to offer some of my thoughts on grades that I have had from my practice.

Until now, I have repeatedly stated that I pursue aikidô as "Tao" (path). To seek the Tao is to seek deeply, and what I have come to know through practicing aikidô is that the Tao is to single-mindedly keep going. Even so, there is no limit to the depths to be reached. Someone may point to something that seems like a goal, but as the route will be different for each person, it may not be a true goal for everyone. That said, is it even possible to assume that there is a final destination?

Grading is a means of objectively evaluating one's capacity and progress by one set of standards. However, I believe that such a viewpoint has no relevance to seeking the Tao. For how far and how deep one has gone are internal questions that only the practitioner can answer. I have come to believe that it is impossible to measure each person's depth in their pursuit using a fixed standard.