Different Rankings and Requirements

There will be several different types of rankings to acknowledge each person's abilities and contributions.

Only 4th dan and higher may conduct dan gradings for shodan to nidan - an instructor may only grade up to one rank below him; in other words, a 5th dan can grade 4th dans but not a 5th dan, etc.

The rankings will be:

Samurai Rankings: Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi.

Earned Dan, Recommended Dan, and Honorary Dan Ranks: 10 dan ranks in three categories. All kata requirements are outlined in the original student manual. This manual is available on request.

Kobudo Dan Ranks: there will also be dan rankings as outlined in the original student manual.

Shido-in (Instructors certificate). These will be in accordance with Sensei Kim's teachings - no variations whatsoever.

Grading fees will vary accordingly.

Samurai Rankings

These are given only by the directors of the organization (who will be appointed in the very near future to help with the growth and development).

Renshi - Over 2 years after 5th dan, minimum 35 years of age. One who has excelled as a leader over and above his own school.

Kyoshi - Over 10 years after Renshi, 40 years of age minimum. This person is one who has excelled in many areas of karate technically, philosophically, and historically, as well as in terms of leadership. Few will ever attain this level of mastery of the art.

Hanshi - Over 15 years after Kyoshi, 55 years of age or over. This is the hardest of all ranks and very, very, very few will ever reach this level. There are no real standards set except to say that this person is accepted internationally as a master of masters. He has proven himself in the dojo, in the business of martial arts, in the martial arts political arena and has devoted his life to the promotion of the martial arts.

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Earned Dan Rankings

The minimum age of earned dan ranks is 16 years of age. Juniors who are graded to Black Belt will be considered dojo rankings only and not recognized by the organization and its affiliates.

1st Dan (Sho Dan) - 3 years of training minimum, under 35 of age, no formal title. Technically must have a solid understanding of the basics, as well as the required kata of the style for this rank. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to spar with a certain amount of proficiency. Must write a 1000 word essay on what karate means to them. Must have a list of their goals for the future. A complete educational and sports resume.

2nd Dan (Ni Dan) - 1 year of training minimum after sho dan, under 35 of age, no formal title. Must be able to perform all required kata for this rank and must be able to demonstrate the ability to teach juniors the basics. Must write 1000 words minimum on the history of their style and demonstrate that they have made an improvement in their own skills.

3rd Dan (San Dan) - 2 years of training minimum after ni dan, under 35 of age, no formal title. Must write an essay of 1000 words on one of these topics: Kyo vs Jitsu, Yin vs Yang, Good vs Evil. Must show an improvement technically, as well as must be able to handle a class on their own.

4th Dan (Yon Dan) - 3 years of training minimum after san dan, under 35 of age, no formal title. Must write an essay of 1000 words on any subject they want related to martial arts. They must also have the ability to perform all kata required for 4th dan. Must be running their own school with their own students - the size is irrelevant.

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5th Dan (Go Dan) - 4 years of training minimum after yon dan, under 35 of age, possible Renshi. Must have a particular area of martial arts that they are studying to become an expert in. Must be demonstrating the ability of a leader in and out of the dojo. Must know all the kata of the style and be able to perform any of them.

6th Dan ( Roku Dan) - 5 years of training minimum, 35 years of age, possible Renshi. Must continue to be active in martial arts on a weekly basis.

7th Dan (Shichi Dan) - 7 years of training after 6th dan, 42 years of age or over, possible Kyoshi over 10 years after Renshi, 40 years old or over. They must write a book of some sort for martial arts, whether it is published or not is irrelevant... but it must be original research. Must be active in martial arts on an international level.

8th Dan (Hachi Dan) - over 8 years after 7th Dan, 50 years of age or older. Possible Kyoshi over 10 years after Renshi 40 years old or over. Must be active and a leader of martial arts internationally.

9th Dan (Ku Dan) - Minimum 60 years of age. 9 years after 8th Dan, possible Hanshi over 15 years after Kyoshi 55 years of age or older. Must be active on an international level and must have made a difference positively on the martial arts world wide.

10th Dan (Ju Dan) - Minimum 70 years of age. Over 10 years after 9th Dan, possible Hanshi over 15 years after Kyoshi 55 years of age or older. Only the actual head of the organization can be a 10th dan and those that he personally recommends to the position.

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Recommended Dan Rankings

These ranks are reserved for individuals who are unable to travel to a standard grading but can demonstrate the same levels or ability as above and are recommended by someone who is well known within the organization for ranking because of extenuating circumstances.

Other honorary ranks are given in cases where an accident or illness prevents the person from demonstrating physically on the floor.

Honorary Dan Rankings

These ranks are the most difficult to attain as they are rarely given and only given to those who actually do not train in martial arts, but due to extreme cases have given to the martial arts.

Usually one must go through the ranks from beginning to end and the person who attains these ranks will be recognized equally within the martial arts world to all other ranks. There is no grading, only certificate presentation and testimonial as to why they have been promoted, citing their contributions.

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Kobudo Rankings

All Dan rankings will be as outlined in the original student manual. For a copy of this manual please contact the headquarters.

Instructors Certificate

Shido-in - This certificate is given only to those who are running a dojo and are considered a Sensei, only after proving their ability to teach karate to a class of their own students. Usually, the person is a Ni dan or above. Once they attain a Shido-In certificate they are considered a Sensei in the art of karate in the Butoku-Do Organization.

Grading Fees

The amount that is considered as an honorarium for each dan rank is $300 for shodan and $100 each additional dan rank for all earned ranks. This is the standard amount charged by most Okinawan and Japanese organizations. Some American and other styles charge ten times this amount. We believe that this is not fair and will stay with the standard set in Japan and Okinawa.

With Shodan will come a quality Black Belt with embroidery that simply says Goju Ryu Karate do, or the respective style that the member belongs to.

For Recommended Ranks it is the exact same as the earned ranks and for Honorary ranks there is no charge for any level. There is also no charge for Instructor's Certificates or Samurai rankings.

Any grading done by a recognized 4th dan or higher should submit 1/2 to the International Headquarters, who will supply the instructor with both a quality Black Belt and the International Certificate. The half that is kept by the instructor should be used to promote and build the organization in his area as he sees fit. The half going to the International Headquarters will be used to build and promote the organization.

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