Dan

段

Advanced master rank in Asian martial arts denoting black belt status.

Quick Facts

CategoryTitle

Pronunciation/[dahn]/

Alternative NamesMaster rank, Black belt grade

Definition

Dan designates black belt master ranks ranging from 1st Dan (Shodan) up to 10th Dan. Pioneered by Judo founder Jigoro Kano, obtaining 1st Dan signifies the true beginning of serious martial study rather than its end.

Related Terms

Obi帯

Belt used to secure the training jacket and indicate technical rank.

Sensei先生

Honorific title for a teacher or instructor in Japanese culture.

Kyu / Gup級 / 급

Student technical grade prior to attaining the master Dan ranks.

Associated Martial Arts

Tomari-te Satojuku Karate ITF Taekwondo Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Shorinji Ryu Renshinkan Enshin Karate Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu WT Taekwondo Subak Yoseikan Aikido Shorinji-ryu Kenkokan Seiwakai Goju-ryu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Iwama Ryu Kosen Judo Kawaishi Judo Yoshinkan Aikido Gensei-ryu Tomiki Aikido Chito-ryu Karate Shito-ryu Motobu-ryu Karate Ashihara Karate Byakuren Kaikan Shorei-ryu Uechi-ryu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Shotokan Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Matsubayashi-ryu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shidokan Shorin-ryu Seibukan Isshin-ryu Karate Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu Seidokaikan Karate Shorin-ryu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Kito-ryu Shuri-te Meibukan Goju-ryu Shorin-ryu Kyudokan Jundokan Goju-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liuhe Tanglangquan)Kyokushin Budokai Real Aikido Naha-te Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shorinkan