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Japanese Titles and Terminology
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and the other Japanese language pages
RANK &
GRADE:

Shodan – 1st Degree
Nidan – 2nd Degree
Sandan – 3rd Degree
Yo(n)dan – 4th Degree
Godan – 5th Degree
Rokudan – 6th Degree
Shichidan – 7th Degree
Hachidan – 8th Degree
Kudan – 9th Degree
Judan – 10th Degree
RESPECTED
TITLE:

Sempei
Sensei
Sensei
Sensei or Shihan
Sensei or Shihan
Sensei or Shihan
Sensei or Shihan
Hanshi or Shihan
Hanshi Masa
Osensei
AWARDED
TITLE:

(None)
(None)
(None)
Renshi
Renshi
Kyooshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Osensei
DAnshin Ranks and Their Respective Titles
TITLE:

Sempei
Sensei
Shihan
Renshi
Kyooshi
Hanshi
Hanshi Masa
Osensei
MEANING:

Black Belt Student
Teacher or Instructor
Master Teacher
Low Master
High Master
Model Teacher
Perfect Model Teacher
Great Teacher or Master
THE FOLLOWING TITLES ARE USED AS COURTESY SIGNS OF RESPECT:
BELT COLORS:

White Belt
Yellow Belt
Orange Belt
Green Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt – 1st Degree
Brown Belt – 2nd Degree
Brown Belt – 3rd Degree
JAPANESE:

Shiroi Obi
Kiiroi Obi
Orenji Obi
Midori Obi
Aoi Obi
Murasaki Obi
Chairo Obi – Ikkyu
Chairo Obi – Nikyu
Chairo Obi – Sankyu
GRADE:

Kukyu
Hachikyu
Shichikyu
Rokkyu
Gokyu
Yonkyu
Sankyu
Nikyu
Ikkyu
KYUSHIN BELT RANKS AND COLORS: