Shodan - Judan

[sensei8]

For grins and giggles, for those who are in a style of the martial arts where rank is common and/or part of that particular landscape, let's look at some basic Yudansha generalization criteria:

Shodan: Physically, a first-degree black belt is a person who knows all the basic body movements and techniques, and who can apply those movements and techniques with enough extended force to neutralize an opponent of equal size, weight, and strength.

Nidan: This is the level at which the student has not only mastered the basics, but also has internalized them. This means that the student is now able to perform the techniques more spontaneously, and with more speed, power, and grace.

Sandan: This is the "stepping out" ranking because it is much farther distant from nidan than nidan is from shodan. The sandan candidate is expected to have a clear understanding of all the underlying principles of all techniques and body movements.

Yondan: This is generally considered the first teaching level of karate. That is, a person who attains yondan should be able to independently produce shodans, taking students from white belt to black belt without any outside help.

Godan: This is generally acknowledged as the "entry-level master" ranking. People attaining godan have probably been practicing steadily for at least 15-20 years and have a very deep understanding of their art and, based upon their training, of themselves.

Rokudan: This level indicates that the person attaining it has performed advanced research that is of universal benefit to all karate students.

Nanadan/Shichidan: This level indicates that the person attaining it has done extensive testing of his rokudan research and has applied it widely in actual application.

Hachidan: This is reserved for people who have completed advanced research in a new and previously unknown area of karate technique, theory, or teaching.

Kudan: This level is normally reserved for those very few individuals who have dedicated their entire lives to karate-do in an extraordinary way. A person attaining kudan is thought to be the living embodiment of the very best qualities a human being can develop through dedication to karate-do.

Judan: This is usually reserved for the head of the style, although it is sometimes awarded to people who have achieved a level of respect accorded only to heads of styles. In many organizations, judan is awarded only in honor of the death of the person receiving it.

Opinions? How close is your style's Yudansha criteria to those listed here?

***Please refrain from speaking ill of those styles of the martial arts and/or the practitioners that do use the kyu/dan ranking. If your particular style doesn't use the kyu/dan ranking, then possibly this topic isn't for you. In advanced; I thank you!

[bushido_man96]

In our organziation, 3rd dan earns a teaching certification. 4th dan is a Jr. Master status, and 5th dan is Master status. 3rd dan an higher may sit on testing panels, as well.

I do recall that in the ATA, master status was not attainable until reaching 6th dan, and then there was an application process, and then an acceptance process to go along with it, usually ending in a physica and mental test of some kind.

[DWx]

I think your breakdown, Bob, is pretty much what I'd say ours was like.

For us:

1st through to 3rd are considered novices and have the title "assistant-instructor". They can be instructors of their own schools but usually they are still under the guidance of someone else.

4th to 6th are experts and are called "instructors".

7th to 9th are the elite who fully understand the style both mentally and physically. 7th is a master, 8th senior master and 9th grandmaster. You can't apply to test for these dans and its not just about your skill or knowledge, at this point things such as contribution, dedication etc. are taken into consideration.

[tallgeese]

sensei, that sounds about right for the Japanese based arts I come out of. Pretty similar.

[RJCKarate]

Pretty similar to what you said sensei8, with slight modifications.

Sandan (3rd Dan): Permitted to have their own school without any 'supervising instructor' and can promote other people to Shodan (1st Dan).

Godan (5th Dan): Last 'technical ability' based rank.

Rokudan (6th Dan), with Renshi: First official Okinawan instructor title, some might say 'entry-level master'.

Nanadan (7th Dan), with Kyoshi: Second instructor title, or 'experienced instructor', or 'junior master'.

Kudan (9th Dan), with Hanshi: Third instructor title, or 'Master'.

Whilst Renshi/Kyoshi/Hanshi are additional 'instructor' titles given from Okinawa, you can be recognized as having your own individual dojo, with no supervision at Sandan, and thus an instructor.