What is a Dan
The dan (段 dan) ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in traditional fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period,[1] this system was later applied to martial arts by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asian countries.
In the modern Japanese martial arts, holders of dan ranks often wear a black belt. Dan ranks are still given in arts such as the strategy board games Go and Renju, the art of flower arrangement (ikebana), and tea ceremony.
The character of Dan (段, dan?) is used in Japanese to mean step or grade, and is commonly equated with degree. However, the origin of the Chinese character, pronounced duán in modern Pinyin, was used mean "phase". Dan rank is often used along with the lower rank system, Kyū (級, Kyū?) rank. There are other methods of assessing rank in Japanese martial systems, of particular note is the older, menkyo system.
History
The dan ranking system was invented by Honinbo Dosaku, professional go player in the Edo period.[2] Prior to the invention, top-to-bottom ranking was evaluated by each handicaps and tended to be vague. He valued then highest title holder, Meijin at 9 Dan.
Dan ranks were applied to martial arts by Kano Jigoro, the founder of judo. Kano started the modern rank system when he awarded shodan (the lowest dan rank) to two of his senior students (Shiro Saigo and Tsunejiro Tomita) in 1883. Even then, there was no external differentiation between yūdansha (black belt ranks) and mudansha (those who had not yet attained a grade). Kano began the custom of having his yūdansha wear black obi (belts) in 1886. These obi were not the belts karateka and jūdōka wear today—Kano had not invented the jūdōgi (judo uniform) yet, and his students were still practicing in kimono. They wore the wide obi still worn with formal kimono. In 1907, Kano introduced the modern jūdōgi and its modern obi, with white and black belt ranks.
The use of belts to denote ranks were used by different athletic departments within the Japanese school system, most notably for swimmers, prior to their adoption by Kano.
Many arts use between one and ten dan ranks:
- shodan (初段:しょだん): first degree black belt
- nidan (二段:にだん): second degree black belt
- sandan (三段:さんだん): third degree black belt
- yondan (四段:よだん): fourth degree black belt
- godan (五段:ごだん): fifth degree black belt
- rokudan (六段:ろくだん): sixth degree black belt
- shichidan (七段:ななだん): seventh degree black belt (also, nanadan)
- hachidan (八段:はちだん): eighth degree black belt
- kyūdan (九段:きゅうだん): ninth degree black belt
- jūdan (十段:じゅうだん): tenth degree black belt
In certain styles, shodan implies that all the basics of the style have been mastered. At sandan the student is deemed capable of teaching independently as a teacher or instructor, often called sensei. At Godan, the budōka may receive certification as a master level practitioner (Shidōin). Generally, the lower dan ranks are validated on the basis of knowledge and physical skill. The higher the dan rank, the more leadership ability, teaching experience, and service to the style play a role in promotion. For example, in British judo, to gain promotion from 1st to 5th Dan, judo players must demonstrate theoretical technique and competitive skill in graded competitions. Promotions from 6th to 10th Dan are awarded for services to the sport of judo.
In Kendo the dan system was recently changed so that 8th dan is the highest attainable rank. Unlike Judo, all dan promotion within the ZNKR, IKF and its member countries is by examination. Whereas dan grades are awarded for technical ability, there is a parallel Shogo system awarding Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi, against suitability as a role model to some members of the Kodansha ranks of 6th, 7th and 8th dan. Renshi and Kyoshi are awarded on written examination and Hanshi by election. There is some debate amongst non-Japanese kendoka about the fairness of the Kyoshi test, which unlike the equivalent for Renshi, must be written in Japanese.
Although the dan system is distinctly Japanese, it has been adopted by many other martial arts styles. The dan system and the well-known symbol of a black-belt have been absorbed into common usage to represent a person with above-average or highly-trained skills in a particular discipline. A unique variation is Okinawan Isshinryu Karate. The oldest practitioners are Americans who have taught thousands of people in the US since 1956. Consequently, there are over 10 Isshinryu associations and several legitimate 10th dans in the Isshinryu system world wide- as many as 15 at last count- all with 40- 50 years experience as instructors.