Dan (rank) 1517644 225433951 2008-07-13T17:55:15Z TXiKiBoT 3171782 robot Adding: [[eu:DAN]], [[gl:Dan]] {{infobox martial art term |pic = 071016-Janggeom-Belts.jpg |piccap = 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ''dan'' belts: Some martial art schools use embroidered bars to denote different ''dan'' ranks |c = |t = |s = |p = |w = |kanji = 段位 |shinjitai = |kyujitai = |hiragana = だん |revhep = Dan |tradhep = |kunrei = |nihon = |hangul = |hanja = |rr = |mr = }}{{Nihongo|'''Dan rank'''|[[wikt:段|段]][[wikt:位|位]] dan'i }} system is a [[Japan]]ese mark of level, which is used in traditional [[Japanese art|fine arts]] and [[martial arts]]. Originally invented in a [[Go (board game)|Go]] school in the [[Edo period]], this system was later applied to martial arts by [[Kano Jigoro]], the founder of [[judo]] and later introduced to other East Asian countries. In the [[gendai budo|modern Japanese martial arts]], holders of dan ranks often wear a [[black belt (martial arts)|black belt]]. Dan ranks are still given in arts such as the logical board games [[Go (board game)|Go]], [[Renju]], the art of flower arrangement (''[[ikebana]]'') and [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]]. The character of {{Nihongo|'''Dan'''|段|dan}} means step or grade, but is commonly equated with degree. Dan rank is often used along with the lower rank system, {{Nihongo|'''[[Kyū]]'''|級|Kyū}} rank. There are other methods of assessing rank in Japanese martial systems, of particular note is the older, ''[[menkyo kaiden|menkyo]]'' system. ==History== Dan rank system was invented by [[Honinbo Dosaku]], professional go player in the Edo period.<ref>{{Citation | author = GoGoD (Fairbairn & Hall) | chapter = Articles on Famous Players | title = Honinbo Dosaku | year = 2007 }}</ref> Prior to the invention, top-to-bottom ranking was evaluated by each handicaps and tended to be vague. He valued then highest title holder, [[Meijin]] at 9 Dan. Dan ranks were applied to martial arts by [[Kano Jigoro]], the founder of [[judo]]. Kano started the modern rank system when he awarded ''[[shodan]]'' (the lowest dan rank) to two of his senior students (Shiro Saigo and Tsunejiro Tomita) in 1883. Even then, there was no external differentiation between ''yūdansha'' ([[black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] ranks) and ''mudansha'' (those who had not yet attained a grade). Kano began the custom of having his ''yūdansha'' wear black ''obi'' (belts) in 1886. These ''obi'' were not the belts ''karateka'' and ''jūdōka'' wear today — Kano had not invented the ''jūdōgi'' (judo uniform) yet, and his students were still practicing in kimono. They wore the wide ''obi'' still worn with formal kimono. In 1907, Kano introduced the modern ''jūdōgi'' and its modern ''obi'', with white and black belt ranks. The use of belts to denote ranks were used by different athletic departments within the Japanese school system, most notably for swimmers, prior to their adoption by Kano.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} == Modern usage in martial arts == While the use of the kyū/dan system, and colored belts is common to both martial arts of direct Japanese or other east Asian orign, and to arts that are derived from these, or from other areas, it is not universal. === In Japanese arts === In modern times, a dan-ranked practitioner of a style is usually recognized as a [[martial artist]] who has surpassed the ''[[kyū]]'', or basic, ranks. They may also become a licensed instructor in their art, in many styles however, achieving a dan rank means that while one is no longer considered a beginner, one is not yet necessarily an expert. The total number of dan ranks is style-specific (1st through 5th and 1st through 10th are common in Japanese arts). The lower dan grades can normally be attained through a grading examination or sometimes through competition. The higher dan grades usualy require years of experience and contribution to the relevant martial art. This may be through instruction or research and publication. These grades can only be awarded by a higher-graded representative of the principal [[dojo]] or sometimes by a steering committee. There is no set achievement level that is universal. An important point to note that ranking systems is that they are specific to the school or style, thus the ranks achieved do not necessarily translate across different [[list of martial arts|martial arts styles]]. In fact, dan ranks do not necessarily indicate one wears a black-belt, in certain martial arts such as ''[[iaidō]]'', ''[[kendo|kendō]]'' or ''[[jodo|jōdō]]'', no external signifier of rank is worn, though it is by far the most common and recognizable symbol by the general public. The highest dan ranks are sometimes reserved for the founder or leaders of a style and other high ranking students can only be promoted by them. This has led to upper level ranks becoming extinct in some arts. For example, in judo there are only three living tenth-level dans in the world and only fifteen have been promoted to the rank since its inception. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.judoinfo.com/judan.htm |title=Profiles of Kodokan 10th Dan Holders |accessdate=2007-03-21 |last=Ohlenkamp |first=Neil |date=[[2006-01-07]] }}</ref> In other styles the dan ranks are not the highest level that might be attained, with instructor certification and judge/judgment authorization being understood as higher-level or more sophisticated. ==== Ranks in Japanese ==== Many arts use between one and ten dan ranks: #''shodan'' (初段:しょだん): first degree black belt #''nidan'' (二段:にだん): second degree black belt #''sandan'' (三段:さんだん): third degree black belt #''yodan'' (四段:よだん): fourth degree black belt #''godan'' (五段:ごだん): fifth degree black belt #''rokudan'' (六段:ろくだん): sixth degree black belt #''nanadan'' (七段:ななだん): seventh degree black belt (also, ''shichidan'') #''hachidan'' (八段:はちだん): eighth degree black belt #''kudan'' (九段:くだん): ninth degree black belt #''jūdan'' (十段:じゅうだん): tenth degree black belt In certain styles, ''shodan'' implies that all the basics of the style have been mastered. At sandan the student is deemed capable of teaching independently as a teacher or instructor, often called [[sensei]]. At ''Godan'', the ''budōka'' may receive certification as a master level practitioner (''[[Shidōin]]''). Generally, the lower dan ranks are validated on the basis of knowledge and physical skill. The higher the dan rank, the more leadership ability, teaching experience, and service to the style play a role in promotion. For example, in British [[judo]], to gain promotion from 1st to 5th Dan, judo players must demonstrate theoretical technique and competitive skill in graded competitions. Promotions from 6th to 10th Dan are awarded for services to the sport of judo. Although the dan system is distinctly Japanese, it has been adopted by many other martial arts styles. The dan system and the well-known symbol of a black-belt have been absorbed into common usage to represent a person with above-average or highly-trained skills in a particular discipline. === Chinese arts === Since 1998 the ''Chinese Wushu Association'' together with the ''National Sport Commission'' and the ''Chinese Wushu Research Institute'' has established a graduation system based on nine Duan levels: Symbol - Duan Wei (level) ''Beginning Level:'' So-called basic duans for students with some years of experience. 1. ''Qingying - yi duan'' - Blue Eagle<BR> 2. ''Yinying - er duan'' - Silver Eagle<BR> 3. ''Jinying- san duan'' - Gold Eagle ''Intermediate Level:'' Middle-level duans for wushu students who are able to teach and have approximately 10 years wushu experience. Starting from 5th Duan there has to be proof of a scientific work in Wushu Research, i.e. publications. 4. ''Qinghu - si duan'' - Blue Tiger<BR> 5. ''Yinhu - wu duan'' - Silver Tiger<BR> 6. ''Jinhu - liu duan'' - Gold Tiger ''Advanced Level:'' Is only awarded to very experienced masters with excellent reputation in Wushu. The person awarded such a Duan is officially allowed to call himself "Grand Master". 7. ''Qinglong - qi duan'' - Blue Dragon<BR> 8. ''Yinlong - ba duan'' - Silver Dragon<BR> 9. ''Jinlong - jiu duan'' - Gold Dragon For international standardization the Chinese Wushu Association has decided to use the Japanese word ''Dan'' instead of the Chinese ''Duan''. This graduation system is not totally new in Chinese wushu. In older days there have been graduations as mentioned in the Chinese Wushu-Encyclopedia (Zhongguo Wushu baike quanshu) or later at the Emperor's court.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} === Korean arts === [[Image:071016-Janggeom-Belts.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Some Korean martial art schools use embroidered bars to denote different ''dan'' ranks, as shown on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ''dan'' belts above]] Korean martial arts lacked a grading system up until the Japanese occupation (1905–1945) during which a variety of Japanese martial arts were introduced in the Korean school system, most notably judo and kendo. After the occupation, newly emerging martial arts like [[taekwondo]] and [[hapkido]] continued using the dan (단) and ''geup'' (급) ranks. The dan rank system is also used by ''[[Go (board game)|baduk]]'' players. Nowadays also the Korea Taekkyon Association issues dan ranks to ''[[taekkyeon]]'' practitioners. Someone who has received a dan rank is called a ''yudanja'' (유단자). In some Korean schools, most notably in [[Kukkiwon]] taekwondo, there is also a ''pum'' (품) system in place. Practitioners who have not reached the age of 16 yet, can not test for a dan rank. For them there is a system of four ''pum'' grades. After they reach the age of 15.5 their ''pum''-grade can be changed to the corresponding dan-grade, although some organisations require the practitioner to take an additional exam. In Kukkiwon taekwondo one can test for ''pum''-grades until the age of 18. Usually the belt worn by ''pum'' holders is a bi-color red and black belt. ==== Ranks in Korean ==== When numbering the dan ranks, [[Sino-Korean vocabulary|Sino-Korean]] numbers are used. Common names for the dan ranks are thus: #Il dan (일단): first degree black belt (also known as ''cho dan'' (초단 hanja: 初段)) #Yi dan (이단): second degree black belt #Sam dan (삼단): third degree black belt #Sa dan (사단): fourth degree black belt #O dan (오단): fifth degree black belt #Yuk dan (육단): sixth degree black belt #Chil dan (칠단): seventh degree black belt #Pal dan (팔단): eight degree black belt #Gu dan (구단): ninth degree black belt Usually the dan ranks do not go past ninth dan, although on some occasions in some organizations a tenth dan (십단) has been issued. ==See also== *[[Kyū]] *[[Go ranks and ratings]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Japanese martial arts terms]] [[Category:Japanese words and phrases]] [[Category:Titles and rank in Japanese martial arts]] [[br:Dan]] [[ca:Grau (arts marcials)]] [[da:Dan (grad)]] [[de:Dan (Kampfsport)]] [[es:Dan]] [[eu:DAN]] [[fr:Grade dan]] [[gl:Dan]] [[it:Dan (arti marziali)]] [[nl:Dan (sport)]] [[ja:段級位制]] [[no:Dan (kampsport)]] [[pl:Dan]] [[fi:Dan-arvo]] [[sv:Dangrad]] [[uk:Дан (ступінь)]] [[zh:段级位制]]