General overview of grades
This ladder is not yet attributed to a specific organisation. Federations differ in belt colours and time requirements.
1st Level – 6th Kyu (Rokkyu)
Gripping 1.28m oak Jo staff, basic Kamae stances, & 12 basic strikes Tandoku Dosa.
Official Japanese staff art of Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR Jodo) founded by Muso Gonnosuke.
2nd Level – 5th Kyu (Gokyu)
Fluid staff spinning, hand sliding, and first Sotai Dosa paired drills vs sword.
Developing precise Maai distance control when defending staff vs katana.
3rd Level – 4th Kyu (Yonkyu)
Sotai Dosa paired drills against Bokken sword, parrying attacks, & sliding hand grips.
Principle "With a staff in hand face the sword without killing the opponent".
4th Level – 3rd Kyu (Sankyu)
Seiten Jodo kata 1-3 (Tsukizukai, Hikan, Monomi) in full speed.
Precise strike to temple and wrist at opponent's windup moment.
5th Level – 2nd Kyu (Nikyu)
Seiten Jodo kata 1-6 (Tsukizukai, Hikan, Monomi) & precise Maai distance control.
Developing fluid switching of staff ends for unexpected strikes to wrist/temple.
6th Level – 1st Kyu (Ikkyu)
Seiten Jodo kata 7-12 (Kasumi, Raiuchi, Seigan) in traditional Hakama & Gi.
Pre-master rank requiring flawless execution of all 12 basic ZNKR kata.
7th Level – 1st Dan (Shodan)
Full master Dan rank. Instructing kata as both Jo-uchite (staff) and Kenshi (sword).
Shodan = Black belt confirming official registration in international ZNKR / IKF.
8th Level – 2nd Dan (Nidan)
Deepening fluid energy flow in all 12 ZNKR kata from both sword and staff roles.
Nidan = Advanced master rank developing tactical overview.
9th Level – 3rd Dan (Sandan)
Study of ancient Shindo Muso-ryu Koryu Jodo (Ranai, Kage) & refereeing matches.
Sandan = Senior teacher linking modern ZNKR Jodo with Shindo Muso-ryu koryu roots.
10th Level – 4th Dan (Yondan)
Dōjō leadership, instructor training, and preparation for Shogo (Renshi) title.
Prerequisite for obtaining the official Renshi teaching title in ZNKR.
11th Level – 5th Dan (Renshi)
Senior Renshi title. Directing national ZNKR Jodo seminars.
Renshi = Certified staff teacher with an unshakeable mind in combat.
12th Level – 6th Dan (Kyoshi)
Kyoshi title (Professor). Directing international Dan examinations.
Kyoshi = Professor of staff transmitting Shindo Muso-ryu philosophy.
13th Level – 7th Dan (Nanadan)
Elite staff master and World Championship referee in ZNKR Jodo.
High international authority of Japanese staff art Jodo.
14th Level – 8th Dan (Hanshi)
Highest active Jodo rank (pass rate under 1% in Japan). Hanshi title.
Hanshi = Living legend and spiritual paragon of Jodo globally.