Because of ego, many people promote themselves, or accept or exchange certificates or black belt ranks from styles that they know nothing or very little about, so they never complete the syllabus in their present style.

A Sho- Dan Ho apprentice is a student who has trained for 2 ½ years regularly in the Martial Arts, and is in training to become a Sho-Dan – first grade Jet Black Belt.  A Sho- Dan- Ho does not have the knowledge or experience to teach on his/her own, but may assist a higher rank black belt by instructing Kyu Gai and Ju-kyu; and may hold a junior assistant instructor certificate of Kohai (Junior Student).

A Sho-Dan is a first (1) grade, and a student who has trained for 2 ½ to 3 years and has a good understanding of basic techniques of a particular martial arts Ryu.  A Sho-Dan is considered to be a first grade black belt and nothing more.  A Sho-Dan may assist a higher rank black belt by instructing Kyu Gais, Ju kyus, Kukyu, Hachikyu and Nankyus; and may hold a junior assistant instructor’s certification of Kohai, Junior Student, or under special circumstances, may hold the certification of Shido Hosa. If this student lives away he/she must maintain proper connection with the training and examination board. The Sho-Dan is not qualified to conduct any grading exams; only a higher rank in our Ryu (system) can do this.

A Ni-Dan, Second (2) grade is a student who has trained from 4 to 7 years and has mastered the basic techniques of a particular martial arts Ryu.  A Ni-Dan does not have all the knowledge or experience to teach a complete system on his/her own but may assist a higher rank black belt by instructing Kyu Gai, Jukyu, Kukyu, Hachikyu, Nankyu, Rokukyu, Gokyu and Yonkyu.  A Ni-Dan may hold a junior assistant certificate of Shi-Do-Hosa or under special circumstances may hold a certificate of Sempai. The Ni-Dan is not qualified to conduct any grading exams; only a higher rank in our Ryu (system) can do this.

A San-Dan, Third (3) grade is still a student but has trained 8 to 11 years and has begun to learn some of the advanced techniques of a particular martial arts Ryu.  In certain cases, a San-Dan is allowed to teach, if he/she has earned an instructor’s certificate of Sempai, or Shidoin, or in some cases a certificate of Shido-Ko-Bucho. The San-Dan (3) is not qualified to conduct any grading exams; only a higher rank in our Ryu (system) can do this. However, the San-Dan can co-sign, witness and recommend a student for a particular rank at the exams.

A Yo-Dan, fourth (4) grade is still considered a student who has trained for 11 to 15 years and has a good understanding of advanced techniques.  A Yo-Dan who has earned a teaching certificate of Shido Bucho is considered a Junior Master and may teach.  In special cases some Yo-Dans may earn a Renchi teaching certificate, and the Renchi belt maybe worn.  The white must be worn above the red, and the black side exposed if physically competing in tournaments.

A Go-Dan Fifth (5) grade is considered experienced enough to qualify as a teacher and is a person who has trained for 15 to 20 years and has mastered advanced techniques.  A Go-Dan, who has earned a teaching certificate of Renchi, is considered a Master and may teach. Renchi belt may be worn, in this case the red must be worn above the white, and the black side exposed if physically competing in tournaments.

A Roku-Dan, Sixth (6) grade is a teacher who has trained from 20-25 years and is in training to become a Master.  A Roku-Dan may earn a teaching and examiners certificate of Shihan Dai.  A Roku-Dan is a Teacher of Teachers. The red and black belt with the white stripe may be worn; the black must be above.

A Nana-Dan, Seventh (7) grade, has trained for 25 to 30 years, and holds the teaching and examiners certification of Shihan, and is considered a Master of his/her martial arts.  The red and black belt with the white stripe may be worn; the red must be above.

A Hachi-Dan or Eighth (8) grade has trained 30 to 36 years in the martial arts, and is the Teacher of Masters.  Some Hachi-Dan holds the Teacher’s and examiners certification of Shuseki Shihan, meaning ‘Headmaster,’ or Saiko Shihan meaning ‘First Master’ or, simply Sensei.  ‘Sensei’ is the highest form of recognition one can give to a Master.  A Hachi-Dan can in some cases be a Grand Master. The red and black belt with the gold stripe may be worn; the red must be above.

A Ku-Dan, Ninth (9) grade has spent over 36+ years in his martial arts Ryu-Do and is considered a Past Master or Grand Master and is called Shihan, Shuseki Shihan, Saiko Shihan, O-Sensei or Professor.  The four-inch thick red belt with black trim may be worn.

A Ju-Dan, Tenth (10) grade, has spent his entire life in his martial arts, and is also considered a Past Master or a Grandmaster, and is called Shihan, Shuseki Shihan, Seiko Shihan, Sensei, O-Sensei, Hanshi or Doctor. The (4) Four inches thick red belt with gray or black trim around the edges may be worn.

Hope:

It is my hope that this will help the parents, students and instructors of Don Jitsu Ryu to follow the proper syllabus to become qualified and certified. Avoid getting confused about those organizations that are giving up the rank of Black Belts in the martial arts for purely business and avoiding the proper Do (way). We will assist you and those you know, in selecting a proper martial arts program and assist your Purple Dragon teacher in guiding you.

Black Belt with a Special Assignment:

In an effort to ensure that Purple Dragon International maintains it’s high standards, there are indigenous Black Belts to the system constantly being trained directly under Professor Don Jacob and other masters of the Don Jitsu Ryu System. 

These senior or junior Black Belts are trained to travel home and abroad to spread the most current information, all teachers are expected to allow these specially trained messengers to be welcome at any Purple Dragon branch where there are officially assigned by the Purple Dragon authorities. Their mission is to assist in the maintenance of quality control and/or to assist any branch that request the aid of an indigenous instructor. These Black Belts are to report to World Headquarters.