Shorin Goju

Shorin Goju Ranking System 

Our ranking system is simply based on the early system of organization. 

Student- All kyu ranks

Senior student and fighter and assistant instructor – first two dan rankings.

Instructor – 3^rd dan-    Young Master 4^th & 5^th-    Master 6^th dan-   Grandmaster 8^th dan 

In Shorin Goju we have 10 kyu rankings and 10 dan rankings. 

The kyu belt is a black belt with a white stripe and may be used in place of the colored belt system by any instructor. Colored belts are generally used for younger students, adults generally should have no need of them. Any kyu ranked student may choose to simply wear the kyu belt in place of a colored belt. 

White belt – 10^th kyu    Kohai                                                                                                                                     Yellow belt – 9^th kyu                                                                                                                                                 Orange belt – 8^th kyu                                                                                                                                                               Blue belt – 7^th kyu                                                                                                                                                        Green Belt – 6^th kyu                                                                                                                                                                      Purple belt – 5^th kyu                                                                                                                                                                Purple belt black tip- 4^th kyu                                                                                                                                                            Brown Belt – 3^rd kyu                                                                                                                                                                 Brown Belt one tip- 2^nd kyu                                                                                                                                                  Brown Belt two tips- 1^st                                                                                                                                                kyu Shodan Black Belt 1^st dan         Sempai                                                                                                                                 Nidan    2^nd dan                                                                                                                                                           Sandan 3rd dan            Sensei                                                                                                                                                   Yondan 4^th dan                                                                                                                                                               Godan 5^th dan                                                                                                                                                                  Rokudan 6th dan                                                                                                                                                                       shichidan 7^th dan                                                                                                                                                                         Hachidan 8^th dan          Shihan                                                                                                                                                                  Kudan  9^th dan                                                                                                                                                                Jodan  Balck or Red Belt 10^th dan        

It is generally our custom that any person moving to our system from another style keep his or her ranking and does not start over. 

Apprentice instructor training may begin at any time and instructor training must be done to advance to 3^rd dan. We are a school of Martial Arts and Philosophy descended from Temple based schools and so all rank promotions beyond 2^nd dan are based more on knowledge of the style, philosophy than ability to teach. At 3^rd dan we are first and foremost a teaching system. 

Any dan rank aside from 10^th dan is to wear a black belt for training and official ceremonies. The appropriate number of stripes relative to dan ranking may be placed on the black belt in black so that the stripes are unobtrusive. A 10^th dan may wear a black belt or a red belt with the appropriate number of stripes in the same color as the belt.  

Kyu ranked students will be called by the title Kohai. A first or second dan is to be called by the title Sempai. The respectful use of the title Sensei is appropriate when applied to any dan ranking of 3^rd dan or higher. All other titles are honorifics and their use is not required aside from on official documentation. Shihan may be used for 8^th dan or above. Hanshi may be used for the head of the style. When these terms are used in the plural they do not change. 

Any level beyond 4^th dan is eligible for awarding of  a ceremonial orange gi top in recognition of philosophical training and the holding clergy credentials in any faith or advanced education in philosophy, these masters may take the Japanese title Roshi or a title appropriate to the spirituality of the holder. Those who hold the orange uniform may carry an orange silk scarf with all uniforms though it should be tucked away inside unless being used. This is not a rank so much as it is recognition of a continuing tradition of philosophical and spiritual training among the leaders of martial systems in Asia. 

The title of Head of Family is not a rank within the system and may be held by one Shihan level practitioner of the school who has received a Masters Authorization to Teach and the Roshi appointment. This is in keeping with the long tradition of Shorin Temple arts in which everything was run by the priests and the ranking system for them was based on philosophical knowledge. Leaders in Shorin were ultimately chosen more for their teaching and leadership abilities.  A head of family shall name his or her successor or the masters of the style will congress and choose a successor from among them. If more than 20% of the masters of the school voice disagreement with the choice of a successor then the masters will congress and vote. 

The Masters Authorization to Teach is not a rank and may be granted by the Head of Family to any master of the system.  This authorization is required to promote anyone to the rank of 3^rd dan or higher. A 3^rd dan may promote any kyu ranks and first dan. A second dan promotion requires the approval of a master of the style. 

Anyone found to be guilty of discrimination for any reason to include but not limited to ethnicity, race, religion, affective orientation, gender, gender identity, nationality, socio-economic status, political positions or age may be stripped of all positions and ranks within the system. This stripping of rank and positions will be done by public notice.