Karate Titles

-->

Formal Karate Titles

1. Sensei "Teacher or One who has gone before": This title is by far the most often used title in karate and generally refers to someone of Sandan level (3th Degree Black Belt.) Many senior instructors including, will state that this is the most honorable title that a student can use when referring to the senior as their teacher. The title Sensei implies a close bond between the student and teacher's relationship.

2. Shihan: "Senior or Expert Teacher": Shihan translates in to teacher or model.

3. Doshi: "Leading Teacher": Title sometimes used before Renshi

4. Renshi: "Senior Expert Teacher": This is the first of the three generally (Most Often) used teacher titles. Although this title is independent of rank, it is seldom given to anyone below the rank of Go-Dan.

5. Tasshi or Tesshi: "Apprentice Master Teacher": This title was originally the title used instead of Kyoshi. It is now sometimes used between the levels of Renshi and Kyoshi by the Dai-Nippon-Butoku-Kai.

6. Kyoshi: "Master Teacher, Teacher of Teachers": This is the second of the three generally (Most Often) used teacher titles. Although this title is independent of the ranking system, it is seldom given to anyone below the rank of Roku-dan and in most cases Shichi-dan).

7. Hanshi: "Senior Master Teacher": This is the third and highest of the three generally (Most Often) used teacher titles. Although this title is independent of the ranking system, it is seldom given to anyone below the rank of Hachi-Dan (8th Degree Black Belt)

In Reference to the three titles Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi

Ren= A Trainer of the Way

Kyo=A Teacher of the Way

Han=A Model of the Way

Other Formal Karate Titles

1. Ani-deshi: Senior disciple

2. Chukyu: Used to denote a student who is at the post secondary grade/Intermediate level learning grade.

3. Hokai: Used to denote a student below dan grade.

4. Jokyu: Advanced grade. Used for a Yon-dan Sensei who is in the advanced learning stage and is on foreign assignment.

5. Kaiso: The founder of a particular style or organization/association. A Senior Advisor of the founder may also hold this title.

6. Kancho: A title sometimes given to the head of a dojo or organization. This title is independent of any rank, but in most cases this person will be a very senior student of the arts. In most cases the person holding this title will be the highest ranking instructor of a specific Ryu-Ha or Kai-Ha

7. Kaicho: This title generally refers to a Regional Head or Director of a style. It may also refer to a Branch/Regional or Head Representative of an organization or association.

8. Kensei: Sacred Fist, a title used for Chojun Miyagi, founder of Goju-ryu, by his students.

9. Kohai: A title used to refer to one who is lower in rank than oneself. The opposite of Sempai

10. Kyoren: A student of Ni-dan grade who is not in training for instructor grade (San-dan)

11. Meijin: Title used for a Martial Arts Master.

12. Mukyu: One who does not hold any rank in karate.

13. Nyumon: Entry level learning grade.

14. O-Sensei or Dai Sensei: This title means Great or Greatest Teacher, Highest Respected Teacher. This title is spoken by students in honorable reference to the traditional martial arts founder.

15. Saiko Shihan or Shihan-Dai: This title refers to the person who has been designated as the Senior or Head Shihan.

16. Seito Deshi or Deshi: A student, pupil or disciple of a martial art.

17. Shoshu: The title used to designate a Master of a particular art.

18. Sempai: A title used to refer to one who is higher in rank than oneself. The opposite of Kohai.

19. Shidoin: Title used referring to a Senior Instructor.
20. Shokyu: Secondary level learning grade such as a Sho-dan.21. Soke: Founder of a system or style. This title may also be used by the successor of the founder of a style or system. This person will be a Ju-Dan (10th Degree Black Belt) in most all cases.

22. Sosai: Governor, (Highest Honorary Position of an Organization.)

23. Soshi: Title used to designate the Head Master of an Organization.

24. Taiso: The term used to designate a great master of the martial arts.

25. Uchi Deshi: A personal student who lives and trains with the Master of a martial art.

Yodansha Ranks and titles

Yudansha Dan Grading System

Shodan 初段:しょだん

1st Degree- In this level necessitates a further development of abilities. All basic movements and techniques, can be applied with extended force and proper application in basic combination.

Nidan 二段:にだん

2nd Degree- This level requires the personal assimilation and performance of all basic body movements and techniques to such a degree that their application is in accordance with the individuals own unique body demands.

Sandan 三段:さんだん

3rd Degree- At this level the individual has acquired the understanding of the underlying principles in all basic body movements and techniques. Moreover, this understanding can be demonstrated in the application of techniques under various circumstances and conditions.

Yondan 四段:よだん

4th Degree- In this point the individual attaining this standing has exemplified knowledge of the principle body movements and techniques and their application under varied conditions to such a degree that the ability to instruct others has been gained.

Godan 五段:ごだん

5th Degree- This is the level were in research has been completed in some limited area. This research includes its application in a manner that is both relevant and applicable to the individual's particular physique.

Rokudan 六段:ろくだん

6th Degree- The attainment of this position necessitates the performance of karate research in an area that by its nature has universal benefits to be derived by its application.

Kodansha Senior-Dan Grading System

Shichidan 七段:ななだん

7th Degree- At this level, the individual must have undertaken advance research through actual application and extensive testing of the general research technique.

Hachidan 八段:はちだん

8th Degree- At this point, research must have been completed in a new and previously unknown area.

Kudan 九段:くだん

9th Degree- This level the requirements for this standard calls for an uncommon dedication for an extended period of time to the areas of individual achievement and development of the highest and most extraordinary order. Moreover, this accumulated knowledge and expertise must have been utilized in the general service of karate development.

Judan 十段:じゅうだん

10th Degree- This is the stage where the individual has finally neared the highest image of karate development. This has been brought about by the continuous practice and pursuit of the truth that is to be found in the human ideal.