KARATE-DO & KOBUDO
ORGANIZATION
Dan Grades
Sho dan-Ho, Intermediate
first degree Black Belt (Period of probation)
1st Dan Shodan, First degree
Black Belt (That of the "Student")
Ni dan-Do Intermediate second
degree Black Belt
2nd Dan Ni dan, Second degree Black Belt (The title of "Disciple")
3rd Dan San Dan, Third degree
Black Belt ("Confirmed Disciple")
4th Dan Yo Dan, Fourth degree Black Belt ("Expert"), Renshi
5th Dan Go Dan, Fifth degree Black Belt ("Spiritual Expert"), Renshi
6th Dan Ruku Dan, Sixth degree Black Belt ("Spiritual Expert"), Shihan
7th Dan Shichi Dan, Seventh degree Black Belt, Kyoshi
8th Dan Hachi Dan, Eighth degree Black Belt, Kyoshi
9th Dan Ku Dan, Ninth degree Black Belt, Kyoshi
10th Dan Ju Dan, Tenth degree
Black Belt, Hanshi
Sho Dan or 1st Dan – 3 to 4 years training.
Ni Dan or 2nd Dan – 4 to 6 years training.
San Dan or 3rd Dan – 9 years training.
Yon Dan or 4th Dan – 13 years training.
Go Dan or 5th Dan – 18 years training.
Roku Dan or 6th Dan – 23 to 24 years training.
Schichi Dan or 7th Dan – 31 years training.
Hachi Dan or 8th Dan – 38 to 39 years training.
Ku Dan or 9th Dan – 40 years plus training.
Ju Dan or 10th Dan – 40 years plus training.
RENSHI : "A person who has mastered oneself".
This person is considered an expert instructor. Renshi are no longer one of the many and is usually given at Yo Dan (4th Dan) or Go Dan (5th Dan). Time for a Renshi to be over 35 years old before this title is ever conferred upon them.
KYOSHI : "Knowledgeable person".
Usually this title is conferred at Roku Dan (6th Dan) or Shichi Dan (7th Dan). Time for a Kyoshi to be over 45 years old before this title is ever conferred upon them.
HANSHI : "Master".
A title given to the oldest and most senior black belt, usually the head of an individual karate organization, someone who has studied the art of karate for most of their lifetime.
