TSV
Martial Arts Dan and Kyu Ranks - TSV
The dan and kyu ranking system in martial arts was established by Jigoro Kano in 1883 for Kodokan Judo. Kyu ranks indicate progression from beginner to advanced levels, while dan ranks represent achievement as a black belt holder. Adopted by major martial arts including judo, kendo, and karate, ranks are visually distinguished by belt colors or badges. Achieving shodan (first dan) earns the black belt, and higher dan ranks evaluate not only technique but also teaching ability and character.
martial arts
dan rank
kyu rank
judo
kendo
karate
black belt
Jigoro Kano
Kodokan
code slug name description beltColor martialArt rankNumber rankType titleName
kyu-10 judo-10kyu Judo 10th Kyu The lowest kyu rank in judo. The first rank beginners obtain. White or colored belt Judo 10 kyu
kyu-1 judo-1kyu Judo 1st Kyu The highest kyu rank in judo. Uses brown belt and qualifies for shodan examination. Brown belt Judo 1 kyu
dan-1 judo-shodan Judo Shodan (1st Dan) The first dan rank in judo. Uses black belt, the first step as a yudansha. Black belt Judo 1 dan
dan-5 judo-godan Judo Godan (5th Dan) A high dan rank in judo. Uses black belt, requiring capability as an instructor. Black belt Judo 5 dan
dan-10 judo-judan Judo Judan (10th Dan) The highest dan rank in judo. Uses red belt, achieved by only a select few. Red belt Judo 10 dan
kendo-kyu-1 kendo-1kyu Kendo 1st Kyu The highest kyu rank in kendo. Uses kyu badge and qualifies for shodan examination. Kyu badge Kendo 1 kyu
kendo-dan-1 kendo-shodan Kendo Shodan (1st Dan) The first dan rank in kendo. Uses dan rank badge. Dan rank badge Kendo 1 dan
kendo-dan-8 kendo-hachidan Kendo Hachidan (8th Dan) The highest dan rank in kendo. Extremely difficult examination with less than 1% pass rate. Dan rank badge Kendo 8 dan
karate-dan-1 karate-shodan Karate Shodan (1st Dan) The first dan rank in karate. Uses black belt, common across all styles. Black belt Karate 1 dan
karate-dan-10 karate-judan Karate Judan (10th Dan) The highest dan rank in karate. Awarded through special recommendation system. Black or red belt Karate 10 dan
renshi renshi-title Renshi (Instructor Title) A title in kendo. For holders of 6th dan and above. Kendo title 錬士
kyoshi kyoshi-title Kyoshi (Senior Instructor Title) A senior title in kendo. For holders of Renshi 7th dan. Kendo title 教士
hanshi hanshi-title Hanshi (Master Title) The highest title in kendo. For holders of Kyoshi 8th dan. Kendo title 範士