Dan grades

[Shotokan-kez]

This thread will likely only require one post to answer my question

With the dan grades what are the names. i.e 1st dan is Shodan, can someone please tell me the order of the rest? Just out of interest really so when someone says they are a nidan i'll know where they are up to. Also what is the requirement normally between dan's?

Cheers

[New Beginner]

nidan=2nd dan

sandan=3rd dan

yondan=4th dan

godan=5th dan

rokudan=6th dan

nanadan=7th dan

hachidan=8th dan

kudan=9th dan

The requirement varies between styles and arts. In kyokushin there is a minimum period of constant training of two years between shodan and nidan, and three years between nidan and sandan. After that, grades are based upon recommendation but there is no guarantee that you will ever be promoted beyond sandan. Promotion to godan which carries the title 'shihan' (master) is rare in legitimate kyokushin organisations (when i say legitimate I'm not talking politically, just those teaching the genuine article). In the end it's worth remembering that it's the person that makes the grade though, not the other way around, and everyone has a worth in the dojo irrespective of rank.

Edited August 25, 2006 by New Beginner

[Kenpo5th]

shodan

nidan

sandan

yondan

godan

rokudan

shichidan (sometimes Nanadan)

hachidan

kudan

judan

Basically 1st through tenth dan, in order there

[Shotokan-kez]

Hmm yeah my sensei is Godan then. He has been training 30 years uppermpost respect for him. He shouts sometimes though lol

[parkerlineage]

I've posted the American Kenpo version somewhere else, but it sounds like you wanted to learn the Japanese words.

In terms of requirements, as New Beginner said, it varies in style - ours is mostly political and time oriented.

[ff100]

Excellent post "NewBeginner" I agree 100%

[Jiffy]

Basically english tanslation...

1st Step,

2nd Step,

3rd Step

4th Step,

etc etc

[Shotokan-kez]

So is there any rules....say in my style (shotokan) that you have to be a certain dan to grade students?

[legkicker]

shodan

nidan

sandan

yondan

godan

rokudan

shichidan (sometimes Nanadan)

hachidan

kudan

judan

Basically 1st through tenth dan, in order there

Usually Nanadan in my experience and never shichidan. My experience is with Shotokan, Goju ryu, wado ryu, Enshin, Chokushinkai, and Kyokushin styles of karate, though.

Calling nanadan shichidan would be like calling yondan shidan.

[bushido_man96]

So is there any rules....say in my style (shotokan) that you have to be a certain dan to grade students?

When we grade black belt students, we have to have 2 judges that are at least 2 ranks about the grade the student is testing for (if that isn't too confusing!). So, two 3rd dans to test for 1st dan, etc.