Japanese Sword Arts FAQ Version 2.7
13. How does the ranking work in kendo and iaido?
Kendo is strongly organized, with most kendo governed by a single federation in each country receiving direction from the International Kendo Federation (which grew from the Japanese organization, the Zen- Nippon Kendo Renmei, or ZNKR). There are exceptions to this, such as the unfortunate split into two federations in the United States. Iaido is usually affiliated with either the IKF/ZNKR or the Zen-Nippon Iaido Renmei (ZNIR).
Kendo and iaido have a pretty consistent nine dan system of ranking. Dojo-dan are not allowed - you must grade in front of a committee. A typical committee for first dan would be six or more people ranked fifth dan or higher. Often, bigger committees are used for higher ranks, if enough qualified people are available. For IKF-affiliated organizations, responsibility for conferring the ranks rests with each member country, but every other country is bound to recognize ranks awarded by member countries.
Kyu ("coloured belts") are given to children as incentives, but not usually adults. If kyu are given, they may start at tenth or more usually sixth and advance up to first. Dan then start at first and advance up to nine. No outward indication of rank is usually worn, although some federations give small coloured patches to sew on the shoulder for kids. Shodan can be accomplished in 2 or 3 years for a persistent and reasonably talented person. A dojo's head instructor in North America should be at least fourth dan; many are fifth or sixth dan.
Teaching certificates are awarded in addition to rank. Each certificate has a requirement that the recipient be of a minimum rank and age and are awarded for excellence in instruction and/or contribution to the art.
13a. What are the names of the ranks?
Kyu from 10 to 1: jukyu, kukyu, hachikyu, nanakyu, rokyu, gokyu, yonkyu, sankyu, nikkyu, ikkyu.Dan from 1 to 9: shodan, nidan, sandan, yondan, godan, rokudan, nanadan, hachidan, kudan.
Teaching certificates from lowest to highest: renshi, kyoshi, hanshi.
13b. What is the traditional system of ranking?
The older schools (koryu) did not have dan ranks - they are a modern invention. Instead, they used certificates of merit. There is virtually no standardization or commonality. Two common terms are menkyo-kaiden, referring to "graduates", and kirigami for a first rank. Many ryu consider the ranks as levels of initiation which have no parallel to dan and kyu. Still others broke the ranks down simply as student and teacher, of possibly various levels.13c. How are the ranks tested and what do they mean?
For now, this answer is restricted to kendo as adjudicated by the Canadian Kendo Federation. Iaido has different test requirements but the comments on experience and ability are still fair. Different countries have differing examination requirements but they are roughly similar.For kendo, the rank test consists of 3 parts: kata (two-person forms), kiri-kaeshi (diagonal cutting exercise) and ji-geiko (free sparring). For ranks below ikkyu, the kata is dropped. Kids below ikkyu do kakari- geiko (controlled attacking practice) instead of ji-geiko.
Here's the kata requirements and minimum time/usual pass time between ranks:
| Rank | Kata required | Minimum time since last exam |
Usual time since last exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| ikkyu | tachi 1-3 | - | after 1 year practice |
| shodan | tachi 1-5 | 3 months | 1 year |
| nidan | tachi 1-7 | 1 year | 2 years |
| sandan | tachi 1-7 kodachi 1-3 |
2 years | 2-3 years |
| yondan | same as sandan | 3 years | 3-5 years |
| godan | -- "" -- | 4 years | 6-7 years |
| rokudan | -- "" -- | 5 years | sometimes never.... |
Here's the rough ability levels associated with rank:
shodan beginner with solid basics
nidan starting to understand a little bit about kendo
sandan intermediate, able to instruct beginners
yondan junior instructor
godan instructor
rokudan senior instructor
nanadan master instructor
hachidan Kendo god
Rokudan is the usual top rank for dedicated amateur players - I guess you could call it a master level, but we don't use that terminology. Nanadan is a very high level instructor, usually a professional (like a police instructor, high school or college coach in Japan). Hachidan is superhuman. Every year, about 1500 nanadan candidates try the hachidan exam in Japan. The pass rate is usually about 2%. These are all famous guys - tournament champions and so forth, but the hachidan exam is very rigorous.