Dan ranking, a delusion

Dan ranks are mass produced these days and they no longer prove any real skill level or proficiency.

Around 1880, Jigoro Kano started transforming his Jujutsu method into what is now referred to as Judo. At the same time, a movement was underway to transform Kenjutsu into a competitive martial art called Kendo.
Kano gave some of his students their first rank “Shodan” in 1883.

To standardize and nationalize the martial arts, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (1895) was established. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai awarded titles (Shogo) such as Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi in Shogo. Later, the system of Dan-ranking was introduced.
The DAN-I (段位), a ranking system borrowed from GO or Japanese Chess was obviously heavily influenced by the system used in Judo that was instigated by Kano and used at Kodokan.
Shogo (称号) in Japanese translates simply as “title” or “rank,” and the word can be used in many areas, for example formal titles of nobility, military ranks, scholarly ranks, etc, and informally in the sporting world, between friends, etc.
Renshi was promoted to 4th-5th Dans, Kyoshi was promoted to 7th Dans, and Hanshi was promoted to 8th-9th Dans. The Shogo and Dan ranks were not automatically linked. Some were awarded Dan grades but not Shogo, while others were awarded Shogo but not Dan grades.

After the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was dissolved as a result of defeat in WWII in 1946, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was reestablished again in 1953.
Even though the same name organization was established it is not related to the original Dai Nihon Butoku Kai though they probably wish to claim as such as the prewar organization received a lot of respect and honor as it was sponsored by the Japanese government. The current organization is no longer well known or large in membership as it is only a private organization without any sponsorship from the government.

Shodan, most important rank

初段 Shodan: The meaning of the first kanji “first time, beginning”, the second kanji “grade, steps, stairs”. Is it a mistake to translate “shodan” as “first dan – black belt”? Literally it is a mistake, but it is not a mistake because it is the first “dan” you can receive.

1917: Kenjutsu, starts using the Dan-i system similar to judo. At this point the system went only as far as godan, after that the titles of seirensho (renshi), kyoshi, and hanshi are awarded. In 1919, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai changed the name Kenjutsu into Kendo.

The dan-i system was gradually adopted by other martial arts, including Aikido, which Morehei Ueshiba adopted around 1940. Some of Ueshiba’s senior students were quickly promoted to high dan grades, e.g. Kenji Tomiki 富木 謙治 was awarded the first ever 8th dan in the same year.

It is very difficult to find out level-explanation. Most of the dan-ranking requirements are just a list of techniques, kata and/or getting points by entering shiai.
Nevertheles, some Martial Arts can give you a glimpse of the differentiating in the dan-levels. For example Japanese Archery.
Someone who starts Kyudo has to shoot the arrow into the target. Someone of a high level has to shoot the arrow in the same target. Fundamentally there is no difference, both they shoot the arrow.

Kyudo – Japanese Archery

• Shodan: The shooting form (Shakei) and the formal movement (Taihai) should be consistent with the standard form. There should not be disarray in the placing of the arrows (Yadokoro).
• Nidan: Both the shooting form (Shakei) and formal movement (Taihai) should have good arrangement with evidence of spiritual energy (Kiryoku) in the application of the shooting technique (Shajitsu). There should be less uncertainty in the placing of the arrows (Yadokoro).
• Sandan: The shooting form (Shakei) is better established and the formal movement (Taihai) is more stable. The breathing is ordered and the application of the shooting technique (Shajitsu) follows the principles of shooting (Shaho). The arrow should fly straight and there should be more consistency in hitting the Mato (Tekichu).
• Yondan: The shooting form (Shakei) is better established and the formal movement (Taihai) is more stable. There should be correct breathing, the application of the shooting technique (Shajitsu) should be consistent with the principles of shooting (Shaho) and Hanare should be sharp. Consistency should be reached in hitting the Mato (Tekichu).
• Godan: The shooting form (Shakei), the shooting technique (Shajitsu) and the formal movement (Taihai) should be consistent with the principles of shooting (Shaho) and refinement (Shahin) should be apparent. In particular, progress should be shown over the previous levels.
• Rokudan: Shooting form (Shakei), shooting technique (Shajitsu), and formal movement (Taihai) have reached the stage of excellence. The shooting shows a high level of refinement (Shahin).
• Nanadan: Shooting form (Shakei), shooting technique (Shajitsu), and formal movement (Taihai) are evident naturally in the body. The shooting has reached a high level of refinement (Shahin) and mastery.
• Hachidan: There should be perfection in the technique, the highest level of refinement (Shahin) and embodiment of skill in the art of shooting.
• Kyudan: The truth of Kyudo should be transparent.
• Judan: 😉

Shodo – Non-Martial Arts Dan-Ranking

Shodo 書道, sometimes also called shuji 習字, is one of Japan’s oldest traditional art forms. It is the art of Japanese Calligraphy and can be translated into something like “the path of writing”.
It transforms kanji, the Japanese script based on Chinese punctuation marks, into true works of art. The point is to put the kanji on paper as beautifully as possible.
Each kanji consists of several “strokes” that must be placed in the correct order and in the correct manner. Pay attention to the length and width of your strokes, the way they extend, connect, and flow into each other.

In most of the Shodo schools, they use the concepts of “fundamentals”, “beginners model” and “advanced models”. Models are basically different kinds of scrips how to paint the kanji, hiragana and katakana, the 3 diiferent methods of Japanese writing.

To be graded to shodan, you must master the fundamentals of Shodo and make a painting based upon the beginners model.
From shodan students must start painting kaisho script using the advanced model, instead of the beginner’s model. From sandan students can start using the reisho and tensho styles. Also, from sandan students may submit works to the shoyuu gallery (書友ギャラリー), which is a relatively free form opportunity. The gallery model is only words in printed text: the submitting artist must decide which style to use.

As with Martial Arts, Shodo has several schools and styles and each of them are using different models in their dan-i system.
But every school is painting the kanji, the hiragana and the katakana. Fundamentally it is like Kyudo, everybody is shooting the arrow.

Aikido, a generic term

The definition of Aikido will be shaped by the question of who created it. There are those who claim that Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba, while others will talk about Sokaku Takeda. Some of the followers of those teachers created their own system. In most cases the name Aikido was used to identify their method.

The word “Aikido” must be regarded as a generic term for all “Yawara” based method. The list did not include Kodokan Judo, which was considered a unique martial art.
Of course, some methods are not using the term Aikido and prefer other terms like “Aiki (Ju) Jutsu”.
The name Aikido is adopted around 1940 by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. After WW2. In an interview with Minoru Hirai (Korido Ryu) and member of Ueshiba’s dojo the following is about choosing the name “Aikido”

(Stanley Pranin with Minoru Hirai).« “Aikido,” rather than being a specifically selected name, was the term used to refer to “Butokukai-Ryu” aiki budo within the Dai Nippon Butokukai. The headquarters of the Dai Nippon Butokukai was located in Kyoto and Butokuden centers were set up in all prefectures. Tatsuo Hisatomi from the Kodokan, and Shohei Fujinuma from kendo, were close friends of mine. The Butokukai was an independent, umbrella organization for the martial arts, and it also was in charge of martial arts in the police departments.
It was very difficult to create a new section in the Butokukai at that time. Mr. Hisatomi proposed the establishment of a new section including arts for actual fighting based on jujutsu techniques. The techniques of yawara (an alternate term for jujutsu) are comprehensive and also include the use of the ken and jo. I also made a number of suggestions and Mr. Fujinuma and Mr. Hisatomi understood my ideas. However, had I insisted on these things nothing would have been decided.
There was discussion within the Butokukai about the choice of a name for this new section. It was discussed many times in meetings of the Board of Directors, and particularly in the judo and kendo sections. We had to consider all of the different individual arts encompassed when we tried to come up with an all-inclusive name. It was decided to select an inoffensive name to avoid future friction among the different martial arts. »

1976 – Practising Korindo Ryu “Aikido” with Hakamatsu Shihan at his private dojo in Shizuoka. Hakamatsu Shihan was a disciple of Minoru Hirai.

Aikido is typically promoted as a martial art and can be utilized for self-defense reasons. On the other hand Aikido became also popular as a method to create “harmony”. Regrettably, the word ‘harmony’ is poorly defined and frequently interpreted as a ‘new age’ concept.

Another form of Aikido is the controversial “Sports Aikido” system. A method for competing that utilizes the technical foundations of Aikido, influenced by Kodokan Judo and Sports Kendo.

Fundamentals of Aikido

The Dan-I system is being used as a ranking method in Aikido, just like other martial arts.
To obtain the rank of Shodan, you must become proficient in the fundamentals of the art. The arts previously discussed, such as Shodo and Kyudo, also express this.

The fundamentals of Aikido must be based on how to use your mind and body under pressure in the environment. To perform at the best, your posture must be optimal and your mind must be focused on the task you are performing.

Tomiki’s Aikido Fundamentals

In Tomiki Aikido, the fundamentals are expressed through the concepts of:

• Shizentai no ri – the concept of natural posture – a natural and unrestricted posture for attacking and defensive actions
• Ju no ri – the concept of defensive power – do not oppose the offensive power of attacker
• Kuzushi no ri – the concept of disturbing balance – creating an opportunity to attack with as little force as possible

The methods of kata and randori are employed to demonstrate these concepts.

An example of an early Tomiki Aikido Syllabus – Senta Yamada

The JAA syllabus

Shodan is built around the randori concept in Tomiki Aikido. The Principles (shizentai no ri, ju no ri and kuzushi no ri) are an integral part of the grading demonstration.
Nidan grading focuses on traditional pre-war techniques and a kata based on the concept of kuzushi. Demonstrating the randori concept requires the opponent to demonstrate a flexible resisting action.
Sandan’s grading demonstration is based on pre-war techniques. Weapons such as tanto, bokuto, and jo are demonstrated at a fundamental level. The randori concept is demonstrated with a flexible resistance action by the opponent, who can try to take over the actions of the defender.

The Fundamental Principles are the core of the grading demonstration. Without these fundamentals, the candidate will be failed by the panel or examiner.

If a candidate wins 1st place in a major tournament, they can climb up in the dan-I ranking without a formal grading demonstration.

Higher levels are a matter of technical proficiency demonstration or promotion for special services.

The Dark Side of the Dan Ranking

The Dan ranking system has a financial aspect. Promotion fees must be regarded as income for the organization.
The organization’s prestige has a significant impact. Being promoted by a well-known organization is what most people prefer. Regrettably, this is not always a proof of understanding and skills.
Nishioka Tsuneo’s book focuses on the compromised aspect of dan ranking.

A cure?

Finding a cure is not a problem. But accepting the cure is for most of the people the obstacle.

Do you have a passion for improving your skills? Your training is all about having enthusiasm. To enhance your skills, you need this secret ingredient. Even at a certain age, enthusiasm remains necessary.

A piece of paper can look beautiful on your wall, but it is not guaranteed that you have the necessary skills to demonstrate your art.