General overview of grades
This ladder is not yet attributed to a specific organisation. Federations differ in belt colours and time requirements.
6th Kyu – Rokkyu
Basic 3D Unsoku movement concept, acrobatic rolls, and Sentai kick.
Modern Japanese martial art founded by Seiken Shukumine in 1965.
5th Kyu – Gokyu
Applying 3D Unsoku-ho steps and initial Sokutai defensive combinations.
Developing spatial awareness and changing center of gravity.
4th Kyu – Yonkyu
Untai aerial jumping techniques, Hentei body axis evasions, and Hokei forms.
Engaging three-dimensional space and gymnastic dynamics.
3rd Kyu – Sankyu
Sentai body spinning, Kaiten cartwheels, and controlled Jissen sparring.
Instantaneous alteration of attack angle in a millisecond.
2nd Kyu – Nikyu
Sei (axis tilting), Tai (crouching) techniques, and Sei-Hokei forms.
Ability to strike the opponent from completely unpredictable angles.
1st Kyu – Ikkyu
Tenhai Hokei forms, complex combinations of all 5 movement types.
Pre-master maturity before entering the black belt ranks.
1st Dan – Shodan
Full master rank. Teaching Taido technical principles and refereeing.
Shodan = Black belt confirming mastery of all 5 movement dimensions.
2nd Dan – Nidan
Advanced Hokei forms and international Jissen free sparring.
Deepening tactical overview in full-speed competition.
3rd Dan – Sandan
Instructor certification, refereeing instruction, and dōjō development.
Teaching maturity in Seiken Shukumine's technique and philosophy.
4th Dan – Yondan (Renshi)
Senior Renshi title. Directing national Taido associations.
Renshi = Certified senior teacher with unshakeable mind.
5th Dan – Godan (Shihan)
Senior Shihan title. Development of World Taido Federation (TIF) and research.
Shihan = Grandmaster guaranteeing the purity of Shukumine's innovative system.