Kyu are the rank that are attained leading up to Dan

1.    Mudansha: (Kyu-Grade) Term used to describe those student below the grade of Black Belt.

2.    Yudansha:  (Dan-Grade) Term used to describe those students who have acquired the rank of Black Belt.

3.    Kodansha:   (Senior Dan Grade) Term used to describe those students who have advanced to the Senior Black Belt level Ranks.

4.    Mu-dan:   (Beyond Rank) Term used to describe an already high ranking martial artist who abdicate their rank. This normally takes place when the high ranking martial artist has succeeded the senior master of the style. In many cases this person will be referred to as Soke upon the death of the master who may very well have been his father. This persons rank will be suspended and the person will be considered Mu-dan.

Formal Karate Titles

1.     Sensei "Teacher or One who has gone before": This title is by far the most often used title in karate and generally refers to someone of Yon-Dan level (4th Degree Black Belt.) Most will state that this is the most honorable title that a student can use when referring to the senior as their  teacher. The title Sensei implies a close bond between the student and teacher's relationship.

2.    Shihan: "Master or Expert Teacher":  It is important to understand that the meaning Master as used in the martial  arts is someone who has mastered the basic and advanced understandings {Principles} of a particular style or system, thus the title Shihan means someone who has mastered the basic and advanced techniques as well as the principles, concepts, and theory of their respective style of karate. The title Shihan does not mean that this person has stopped learning because they know all of the answers. On the contrary, they are considered to be the most serious and dedicated students in any style of martial arts. The title Shihan is generally considered to be an organizational title alone and has little meaning (May not be recognized) outside of the holders style or organization.

3.    Doshi:  "Leading Teacher": Title sometimes used before Renshi

4.    Renshi: "Senior Expert Teacher": This is the first of the three generally (Most Often) used teacher titles. Although this title is independent of rank, it is seldom given to anyone below the rank of Go-Dan.

5.    Tasshi or Tesshi:  "Apprentice Master Teacher": This title was originally the title used instead of Kyoshi. It is now sometimes used between the levels of Renshi and Kyoshi by the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai.

6.    Kyoshi: "Master Teacher, Teacher of Teachers": This is the second of the three generally (Most Often) used teacher titles. Although this title is independent of the ranking system, it is seldom given to anyone below the rank of Roku-dan and in most cases Shichi-dan).

7.    Hanshi: "Senior Master Teacher": This is the third and highest of the three generally (Most Often) used teacher titles. Although this title is independent of the ranking system, it is seldom given to anyone below the rank of Hachi-Dan (8th Degree Black Belt)

In Reference to the three titles Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi

Ren= A Trainer of the Way 

Kyo=A Teacher of the Way

Han=A Model of the Way

                     Other Formal Karate Titles

1.    Seito Deshi or Deshi: A student, pupil or disciple of a martial art.

2.    Uchi Deshi:   A personal student who lives and trains with the Master of a martial art.

3.    Kohai:  A title used to refer to one who is lower in rank than oneself. The opposite of Sempai

4.    Sempai: A title used to refer to one who is higher in rank than oneself. The opposite of Kohai.

5.    Kancho: A title sometimes given to the head of a dojo or organization. This title is independent of any rank, but in most cases this person will be a very senior student of the arts. In most cases the person holding this title will be the highest ranking instructor of a specific Ryu-Ha or Kai-Ha.

6.    Kaicho: This title generally refers to a Regional Head or Director of a style. It may also refer to a Branch/Regional or Head Representative of an organization or association.

7.    Taiso:    The term used to designate a great master of the martial arts.

8.     Kaiso: The founder of a particular style or organization/association. A Senior Advisor of the founder may also hold this title.

9.     Soke:  Founder of a system or style. This title may also be used by the successor of the founder of a style or system. This person will be a Ju-Dan (10th Degree Black Belt) in most all cases.

10.    Shoshu:    The title used to designate a Master of a particular art.

11.    Saiko Shihan or Shihan-Dai:  This title refers to the person who has been designated as the Senior or Head Shihan. Shihan-Dai is sometimes issued prior to the recipient receiving the full Shihan title and therefore in this situation it would be considered a lesser or lower title than the title of Shihan itself.

12.    O-Sensei or Dai Sensei:  This title means Great or Greatest Teacher, Highest Respected Teacher. This title is spoken by students in honorable reference to the traditional martial arts founder.

     

There are today ten Dan levels and three Samurai titles that can be awarded in Kosho Ryu Kempo & jui Jitsu in our United Martial Arts Academies. The ten Dan levels are awarded in the following order starting from the lowest rank, Sho Dan (1st Dan) and going to the highest rank Ju Dan (10th Dan) :

 

Sho Dan or 1st Dan - at this rank no formal samurai title is awarded.

 

Ni Dan or 2nd Dan - at this rank no formal samurai title is awarded.

 

San Dan or 3rd Dan - at this rank no formal samurai title is awarded.

 

Yon Dan or 4th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Renshi may be awarded.

 

Go Dan or 5th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Renshi may be awarded.

 

Rokku Dan or 6th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Renshi may be awarded.

 

Schichi Dan or 7th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Kyoshi may be awarded.

 

Hachi Dan or 8th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Kyoshi may be awarded.

 

Ku Dan or 9th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Hanshi may be awarded.

 

Ju Dan or 10th Dan - at this rank the formal samurai title of Hanshi may be awarded.

 

The three Samurai titles hold the following meanings :

 

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). It is not unusual for a Renshi to have over 20 years of training 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). It is not unusual for a Kyoshi to have over 30 years of training  before this title is ever conferred upon them.

 

HANSHI : "Root Waterer 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. This rank signifies their true understanding of the art. It is not uncommon for a Hanshi to have over 40-50 years of training before this title is ever conferred upon them.

 

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