Kohaku Obi

Around 1930 Jigoro Kano created a new belt to recognize the special achievements of high-ranking black belts. Jigoro Kano chose to recognize sixth, seventh, and eighth degree black belts with a special obi made of alternating red and white panels (kohaku obi). The white colour was chosen for purity, and red for the intense desire to train and the sacrifices made. The colours red and white are an enduring symbol of Japan, and they have been used in Judo since Jigoro Kano started the first Red and White Tournament in 1884. The kohaku obi is often worn for special occasions, but it is not required to be worn at any time and the black belt remains the standard for all the yudansha ranks. Jigoro Kano also created the optional red belt to recognize 9th and 10th degree yudansha.

There are now also many other master belts that are worn by higher-ranking black belts (yudansha ranks) in other martial arts as well as judo and jujitsu. These high ranking master belts also have the red, white, and black in them relating to the concept of the kohaku obi that is maybe the most commonly recognised of the master belts. The master belts below can be higher ranking in some styles than in others, for example a red/black block belt is often ranked as a 5th Dan master in some traditional jujitsu schools today, but is regarded as 9th Dan in some Brazilian jujitsu styles.

This Kenpo Karate Black Belt

This black belt has (13 rows of stitching for a 2 inch wide belt). The red rank stripes on each belt end are sewn completely around the belt. Rank stripes are 1/2" wide and start 1 inch from the belt end, spaced 1/2" apart. The 5th and 10th degree stripes are 4 1/2 inch wide. Also known as an Ed Parker kenpo black belt. This belt is also used in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Panel Belt Black-White Senior Black Belt

This belt has alternating black and white panels with matching thread colour on each panel. Panels are black and white and are 10 inches long with black panels on the ends. The world jujitsu kobudo federation to represent 3rd Dan black belts now uses a similar belt with blue and white panels.

Master Belt Black/White

This Master belt has white on one surface and black on the other. This style belt is also used by the (BHMA) Brotherhood of Martial Artists

Black belt with a single 3/4-inch red stripe

This belt is used in some martial arts as a senior or master black belt.

Black belt half red and half black 3rd Dan Senior Jujitsu Black Belt of Total Self Defence

This style belt features a half red and half black colour pattern (red over black) and is also often used in Korean martial arts such as Taekwondo and Hapkido and is known as a Poom belt.

Renshi Belt 4th, 5th, and 6th Dan

The colours are red and white on one surface and black on the back. This style belt is sometimes used for 4th, 5th and 6th degree black belts in karate and other styles.

5th Dan Master of Traditional ju-jitsu

The alternating black and red panels have matching thread colour on each panel. Panels are about 10 inches long with black or Red panels on the ends; this belt can be ranked between 5th Dan & 9th Dan dependent of martial art style.

Red/Black Belt

This style belt is sometimes used as an upper-level black belt in kenpo karate. The colours are red on one surface and black on the other

This specialty martial arts belt has one end in red and the other in black; each side has matching thread colour. This belt is sometimes used by higher grades in various martial arts.

Kohaku Obi 6th 7th 8th Dan Judo/Ju-Jitsu and also in some karate styles

Red and White panel belt invented by Kano Jigoro Founder of judo, one of the original and most recognised of the master belts.

7th Dan Traditional Ju-Jitsu

The belt is red with a 1/4 inch black border on both edges, represents 7th Dan in some traditional ju-jitsu schools.

8th Dan Traditional Ju-Jitsu

The belt is black with a 1/4 inch red border on both edges. Some Ju-jitsu schools, also have red belt with a ¼ inch white border on both edges, this represents 9th Dan

9th 10th Dan Ju-Jitsu Grand Master Belt 8th 9th 10th Dan Grand Master in some karate styles

The solid red belt is used in Judo/Ju-Jitsu and many other martial arts to represent 9th and 10th degrees.

The first belt you grade for in some jujitsu schools is red, by gaining the red grand master belt it is sometimes regarded that you have come full circle in your training, hence going back to your first belt the red belt.

Many arts use between one and ten dan ranks:

1. shodan:    first degree black belt
2. nidan:    second degree black belt
3. sandan:    third degree black belt
4. yodan:    fourth degree black belt
5. godan:    fifth degree black belt
6. rokudan:    sixth degree black belt
7. nanadan:    seventh degree black belt (also, shichidan)
8. hachidan:    eighth degree black belt
9. kudan:vninth degree black belt
10. judan:    tenth degree black belt

5th Dan:

Minimum requirement, 5 years between 4th and 5th Dan. The applicant must be over 30 years of age.

6th Dan:

Applicant must have 6 years between the grades of 5th to 6th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 36 years of age.

7th Dan:

Applicant must have 7 years between the grades of 6th to 7th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 43 years of age.

8th Dan:

Applicant must have 8 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 51 years of age.

9th Dan:

Applicant must have 9 years between the grades of 7th to 8th Dan. The Dan grade must be from either a group or individual. The applicant must be over 60 years of age.

10th Dan:

Awarded only by the founder or Technical Committee 10 years after the award of 9th Dan.

Shogo

Shogo ( "title", "name", "degree") are martial arts titles developed by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. The Kokusai Budoin

• Renshi polished instructor.
• Shihan Master teacher
• Kyoshi advanced Master teacher a Professor.
• Hanshi refers to a very senior expert considered a"teacher of teachers".

RENSHI

The character "Ren" means "polished, tempered" and "shi" means "person". Thus Renshi indicates a "polished instructor" or expert. Renshi may be awarded to the modern rank of 4th Dan or above depending on style, the title of Renshi is of Japanese origin and is not used in Okinawa.

Shihan

Is a Japanese term, often used in Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors. The term is frequently used interchangeably with English terms such as "master instructor". Various martial arts organizations have different requirements for the usage of the title, but in general it is a high title that takes many years to achieve. It is sometimes associated with certain rights, such as the right to give out black belt (dan) ranks in the name of the organization. However, the title is generally distinct from the black belt ranking system (dan'i). The use of the term is completely style or organization specific. The process of becoming a shihan can be rather abstruse as well. Within the Bujinkan it has been said that you become a shihan when the other Shihan start calling you a Shihan. However within judo, a Japanese teacher automatically became a Shihan at sixth dan. One could say your promotion to sixth dan comes when you are ready to be called Shihan. In other organizations, for example Shodokan aikido, the title is organizational and less strongly correlated to rank.

Kyoshi

The "Kyo" in Kyoshi means "professor" or "philosophy". Therefore, Kyoshi equals a "Professor" capable of teaching the philosophy of the martial arts. Kyoshi may be awarded to the modern ranks of 7th Dan and above depending on style. In traditional Ju-jitsu you were regarded as a professor at 6th Dan and above, however being awarded the title is confirmation and appreciation of status and is often awarded at 7th Dan.

Hanshi

"teacher of teachers". This title is used by many different arts for the top few instructors of that style, and is sometimes translated "Grand Master". The "Han" in Hanshi means "example, model" and indicates "a teacher that can serve as an ideal model for others", or a “senior master”. Hanshi may be awarded to the modern day rank of 8th and above. This is a very special title representing the highest levels of martial arts, political involvement as a practitioner, be seen as an innovator, a teacher of and show personal growth an in depth understanding of their relevant style. In certain styles, Shodan (1st degree black belt) 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, (5th degree black belt) the budoka may receive certification as a master level practitioner (Shidoin). 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. In Kendo the dan system was recently changed so that 8th dan is the highest attainable rank. Unlike Judo, all dan promotion within the ZNKR, IKF and its member countries is by examination. Whereas dan grades are awarded for technical ability, there is a parallel Shogo system awarding Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi, against suitability as a role model to some members of the kodansha ranks of 6th, 7th and 8th dan. Renshi and Kyoshi are awarded on written examination and Hanshi by election. There is some debate amongst non-Japanese kendoka about the fairness of the Kyoshi test, which unlike the equivalent for Renshi, must be written in Japanese. 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.