The Path of Traditional Martial Arts: THE UPPER LEVELS

by Phillip Starr

In contemporary Japanese, Okinawan, and Korean martial arts, we encounter the use of a grading/ranking system that begins with “kyu” grades and goes into several “dan” ranks. Dan ranks were used in numerous forms of the “do” for centuries before their application to the martial ways. Arts such as go (the game of go), chado (tea ceremony), shodo (writing calligraphy with a brush), and even kado (flower arranging) have used the dan system of grading for a very long time, although no external indication (such as a black belt) is worn.

Dan ranks were transferred to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō (1860–1938), the founder of judo. Kanō started the modern rank system in 1883 when he awarded shodan (the lowest dan rank) to two of his senior students (Shiro Saigo and Tomita Tsunejirō). Prior to this, martial arts schools rewarded progress with less frequent menkyo licenses or secret scrolls.

There was still no external differentiation between yūdansha (black belt ranks) and mudansha (those who had not yet attained a dan grade). Different athletic departments within the Japanese school system were already using markers of rank, most notably in swimming, where advanced swimmers wore a black ribbon around their waists. Kano adopted the custom of having his yūdansha wear black obi (belts) in 1886. This marked them as skilled practitioners so beginners could identify them and know who they could approach for instruction.

At that time, these obi were not the belts that karateka and jūdōka wear today; the students were still practicing in kimono. They wore the wide obi still worn with formal kimono. In 1907, Kanō invented the modern keikogi (white practice uniforms), and belts in white for mudansha and black for yūdansha.

In modern times, a dan-ranked practitioner of a style is usually recognized as a martial artist who has surpassed the kyū, or basic, ranks. Some styles allow an instructor to issue dan grades on his own, but only to within one grade of his own grade. Others require the practitioner to pass an examination before a board of examiners appointed by the style's headquarters association. They may also become a licensed instructor in their art. In many styles, however, achieving a dan rank means that, while one is no longer considered a beginner, one is not yet necessarily an expert. Rather, it indicates a high degree of competence across a reasonable range of techniques.

The total number of dan ranks is style-specific (1st through 5th and 1st through 10th are common in Japanese martial arts). When Funakoshi Gichin first introduced karate to Japan in 1923, no ranking system yet existed in that art. The Japanese martial arts governing body awarded him a 5^th dan, and for many years after his passing, his school (Shotokan) used 5^th dan as its highest rank.

The lower dan grades normally are attained through a grading examination or sometimes through competition. The higher dan grades usually require years of experience and contribution to the relevant modern martial art. This may be through instruction or research and publication. These grades can only be awarded by a higher-graded representative of the principal dojo or sometimes by a steering committee. There is no set achievement level that is universal. Ranking systems are specific to the school or style, so ranks do not necessarily translate across different martial arts styles. In fact, dan ranks do not necessarily indicate one wears a black belt. In martial arts such as iaidō, kendō or jōdō, no external signifier of rank is worn, though a black belt is by far the most recognizable symbol to the general public.

In many styles shodan implies that the basics of the style have been mastered. At about sandan, the student may start teaching independently but under the supervision of their teacher. The license for this level is shidōin (指導員), literally "member of instruction/coaching", which is often translated as "assistant instructor." At about the grade of godan, the holder may receive a full teaching license: shihan (師範), literally "instructor/model." Traditionally, someone who holds the shihan title may open their own school with this license. Many styles also have the separate teaching or "master" grades of renshi, kyoshi, and hanshi.

Generally, the lower dan grades are achieved by gaining greater knowledge and understanding of the art along with physical skill. The higher the dan grade, the more leadership ability, teaching experience, and service to the style play a role in promotion.

In traditional Japanese and Okinawan styles of karate, all dan grades above 5^th dan are honorary; that is, there are no physical examinations. They are conferred upon a practitioner for services done to the style (e.g., promoting the style).

In modern kendo, the dan system was recently changed so that 8th dan is the highest

attainable rank Unlike Judo, dan promotions within the All Japan Kendo Federation

and the International Kendo Federation are done throuhj examination. Whereas dan

grades are awarded for technicability, there is a parallel (shogo) system that awards

the higher teaching levels of renshi, kyoshi, and hanshi. Renshi and Kyoshi are

awarded through written examinations, whereas Hanshi is awarded by election.

Although the dan system is distinctly Japanese, it has been adopted by many other martial arts styles. The dan system and the well-known symbol of a black belt have been absorbed into common usage to represent a person with above-average or highly trained skills in a particular discipline.

Traditional Chinese gong-fu styles have no ranking structure. Some of those that have been brought to the West have adopted forms of ranking, however. Mine is one such style; In Yiliquan, the highest duan (dan) grade is 8^th duan. In 1998, the Chinese Wushu Association together with the National Sport Commission and the Chinese Wushu Research Institute established a graduation system based on nine Duan levels.