29/01/2015
I publish this as many don't undestand the issue of ranks and their purpose, some say Goegn Sensei invented the title "Shihan"" this is the ignorance and uneducated karate person, that listen and regrugitates everything he hears and beleives it is gospel. We must be scholars and not just follows:-
This has been the desease in South African karate too much stories and too little facts. So enjoy reading this piece.
People studying karate at the color-belt le vel tend to think of a black belt as their ultimate goal. That frame of mind is useful up to a point, but once black belt level is reached an attitude adjustme
nt usually becomes necessary.
To achieve shodan level (first-degree black belt) is really just the beginning of one’s “professional” training as a serious martial artist. New black belts, who think they are now pretty hot stuff, often get a rude awaken ing when they attend their first black belt sparring class. It is not uncommon at that time for higher-ranked black belts to administer a sort of informal “initiation” in which the newcomer is thoroughly dominated and defeated in every match. The message is that he has a tremendous am ount yet to learn, and some humility would be appropriate.
In all, there are ten dan levels of black belt, each promotion requiring somewhat longer to achieve than the last, so that to reach 10th
dan one must generally be getting a bit elderly (though not necessarily frail. Usually a proficiency test is not required after 4th
dan, the promotion being based more on years of experience and on
“contributions” to the advancement of karate. Incidentally, the rank certificates from the official certifying organizations also escalate in price, up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars at higher dan levels.
Ranks are one thing but titles are another; titles do not generally come automatically with rank, but must be awarded or bestowed separately by the certifying organizations.
Each title is usually restricted to a certain dan level or above, but
is not necessarily granted at that level, or ever.
There is also the subject of “cross ranks,” that is, black belt ranks in
related martial arts conferred without any special testing or training in
them. For some systems (e.g. kobudo or jujitsu), a cross rank can be awarded simply by demonstrating proficiency to a master authorized to grant rankings.
In some cases the cross rank is awarded at a higher dan level than the existing karate rank held by a yudansha. There are no rules governing the waiting periods between ranks given for different martial arts, or for the same martial art given by different underwriting
authorities.
Organizations (now the Japan Karate Federation, JKF), and the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF). The award of rank is in recognition of an individual’s direct or indirect service and support of the development of karate. To qualify, the individual
must also have the respect of the community by virtue of good character. The full range of 10 dan grades is available, the firs
t four of which recognize people who have supported or contributed indirectly to the development of karate at the local community
level (1st dan), who have given direct support locally (2nd dan), who have given indirect support at the national level (3rd dan), and direct support at the national level (4th dan).
The higher ranks are reserved for local and national dignitaries, l
eaders and sovereigns, and for international leaders and internati
onally respected figures. Rank can also be bestowed on individuals who have applied themselves diligently and have achieved a
high level of spiritual development, but who have a physical lim
itation or handicap,
especially those who have contributed to the advancement of karate through research.
A short glossary of titles and their meanings is given below, not all of which apply toevery system.
Hanshi Honorary title sometimes awarded to 9 th or 10th dan karateka who are over 55 years old and have held the title of
kyoshi for at least 15 years.
Literally, “exemplary teacher,” and usually the master of a system or style. The title in dicates spiritual and organizational responsibility for an entire discipline. This is the highest position attain able in Japanese/Okinawan martial arts. It was once translated as “grandmaster,” but that term is considered to be too ostentatious
by some.
Kaicho President of a major recognized national federation (kai) or international association.
Kancho The administrative head of a kan or house of business. Sometimes also the highest ranking instructor of a style worldwide,
or the owner of a particular dojo.
Kyoshi Honorary title sometimes awarded to 7th or 8th
dan karateka who are 40 years old or older and have held the title of
renshi for at least 10 years. Literally “expert instructor,”
perhaps equivalent to an “assistant professor.”
Master The English-language title of “Master” is typically associated with 5th dan. In some systems it is adopted automatically at that leve
l, whereas in others it requires a Master’s Teaching Certificate from an accrediting organization in order to be considered official.
Meijin Literally “wise man,” a rarely used title for only the oldest, most dedicated and most skilled of instructors in a system The title carries with it a sense of genius in the martial
arts, and may also imply attainment of a high spiritual level.
Mudansha Literally “person without dan rank,” a color-belt ranked person.
O’Sensei “Great teacher,” a term usually reserved for the founding fa
ther of a system, or one who has achieved great standing internationally and among all practitioners of
the style. It is used only for rare individuals, and carries connotations of reverence and affection from the students. Morihei Ueshiba (1883-
1969), for example, was the founder of Aikido and is still referred to affectionately as “O’Sensei.” Renshi Honorary title sometimes awarded to 5 th or 6th dan karateka who are 35 years old or
older and have held 5th dan rank for at least two years.
Literally, a “polished expert,” and usually an assistant to a higher-ranked kyoshi A renshi is(Fifth dan is considered equivalent to
a Master’s Degree).
Sempai A term for a senior student, usually brown belt or first-dan black belt, and often used only when the student is assisting the
sensei , or leading a class in his stead.
Sensei A sensei is simply a “teacher,” literally “one who has gone before,” i.e. is older or has taken the same path as the student bu
t is now farther along. Usually each dojo has only one sensei, the owner or highest-ranked instructor.
Shihan comes from Shinan a compass- A “teacher of teachers” responsible for the structure and standards of style of those senseis under his authority. Most shihans have a rank of sixth dan or above, and preside over their own style, or at least over a group of schools each under a sensei. The title of shihan carries with it the privilege of wearing the red and white sectioned belt. (The title of shihan is considered equivalent to a Ph.D. or Professorship.)
Sosei A rarely used term for “the great and unique leader of a major group.”
Tashi Honorary title uncommonly used but sometimes awarded to 3rd
or 4 th dan karateka. Literally, “expert.”
Yudansha Holder of a black belt, at any level. Other Titles Many other titles may be encountered from time to time.
Soke is a term, originating in Buddhist temples, which refers to the “master of a family-household” (in the sense that
a martial arts teacher and his student s constituted a sort of family).
Osho translates as “peaceful worshipper” but also refers to a “chief priest” in charge of martial arts training at a Buddhist temple. Other terms used to signify the headmaster of a style include taiso
(“great master”), soshi (“head teacher”), doshu (“master of the Way”),
soshu (“master of the art”), and kaiso (“opening ancestor” or
founder of a style).
