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(c) 2005 AiBUKAN DOJO U.S.A.
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There are many versions of the DAN/KYU ranking system originally devised by judo founder Jigoro Kano. This was first designated at Kano's Kodokan Judo School (1882) and later all other systems (Karate and Aikido as well) adopted their own version.
Kyu grades (Mudansha) are below black belt (DAN or Yudansha). Regardless of the use of kyu colored belts, all kyu grades are considered white relative to the black belt.
Times in grade are considered a minimal general baseline. Exceptions are possible but rare, dependent upon the individual and amount of time dedicated toward practice and study.
Aibukan Budo and the Aibukan Dojo USA uses the following belt grade and title certification system.
| Category |
Rank |
Belt |
Time In Grade |
|
KYU
(Mudansha) |
10th Kyu (Ju-kyu) |
White (one black stripe) |
1 Month in beginning grade |
|
9th Kyu (Ku-kyu) |
White (two black stripes) |
1 Month as 10th kyu |
|
8th Kyu (Hachi-kyu) |
White (three black stripes) |
1 Month as 9th kyu |
|
7th Kyu (Nan-kyu) |
White (four black stripes) |
1 Month as 8th kyu |
|
6th Kyu (Rokyu) |
White (five black stripes) |
2 Months as 7th kyu |
|
5th Kyu (Gokyu) |
White (six black stripes) |
3 Months as 6th kyu |
|
4th Kyu (Yonkyu) |
Green |
6 Months to 1 year as 5th kyu |
|
3rd Kyu (Sankyu) |
Brown - 3rd level |
6 Months to 1 year as 4th kyu |
|
2nd Kyu (Nikyu) |
Brown - 2nd level |
6 Months to 1 year as 3rd kyu |
|
1st Kyu (Ikkyu) |
Brown - 1st level |
6 Months to 1 year as 2nd kyu |
|
DAN
(Yudansha) |
1st Dan (Shodan) |
Black Belt - 1st level |
1 Year as 1st kyu |
|
2nd Dan (Nidan) |
Black Belt - 2nd level |
2 Years as Shodan |
|
3rd Dan (Sandan) |
Black Belt - 3rd level |
3 Years as Nidan |
|
4th Dan (Yondan)
*Can be considered master or instructor level |
Black Belt - 4th level |
4 Years as Sandan |
|
5th Dan (Godan) |
Black Belt - 5th level |
5 Years as Yondan |
|
6th Dan (Rokudan) |
Black or Red+White - 6th level |
6 Years as Godan |
|
7th Dan (Nandan) |
Black or Red+White - 7th level |
7 Years as Rokudan |
|
8th Dan (Hachidan) |
Black or Red+White - 8th level |
8 Years as Nandan |
|
9th Dan (Kudan) |
Black or Red - 9th level |
9 Years as Hachidan |
|
10th Dan (Judan) |
Black or Red - 10th level |
10 Years as Kudan |
*Note - All DAN grades for old Koryu style weapons, Aikido, and Jujutsu : it is optional choice to wear a black or indigo blue Hakama
Title Certifications-
|
Title |
Description |
|
Sensei |
Usually 4th Dan Black Belt or above referring to teacher |
|
Renshi |
Usually over two years after 5th Dan, can be 5th or 6th Dan, 35 years or older, considered assistant, instructor, or trainer level, like a 4 year college study degree. |
|
Shihan |
Written or spoken term not ever by the holder, 6th Dan or above, Black or Red and White belt, Master Trainer, model master teacher who may head their own styles or schools. |
|
Kyoshi |
Usually over 10 years after Renshi, 40 years or older, expert teacher-instructor or assistant professor, equivalent to a college masters degree. |
|
Hanshi |
Over 15 years after Kyoshi, 55 years or older, usually 8th to 10th degree Black Belt, Red and White Belt, or Red Belt. Respected master of Japanese martial arts, equal to a professor or doctorate degree. |
|
Menkyo-Kaiden |
An old Ryu style award certificate of full proficiency in a Japanese martial art. Usually awarded to a most advanced student deemed most suited to carry on the transmission of the art. |
|
Meijin |
A Grand Master of Japanese martial arts as an expert far beyond the boundaries of physical prowess. In most cases a Meijin is considered a national treasure, only after a lifetime of completely full and dedicated, devoted study to the art. |
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*NOTE: Other than some standardization of awarding kyu or dan belt grades, there is no definite award standard for giving the titles. Therefore, in many systems they are not awarded, used, or even known about. This is true for their origin in Japanese martial arts circles as well as other Martial Arts. |
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