Last Updated on Saturday, 02 January 2010 21:38 Thursday, 02 December 2004 15:44

Black belts are addressed using specific titles. It is important for the student to understand these as it exemplifies respect to address black belts correctly. A brief summary of Black Belt titles are listed here:

Probabtionary First Degree - Shodan Ho

1st Degree - Sempai

2nd Degree - Dai Sempai

3rd Degree - Sensei

4th Degree - Renshi

5th Degree - Shihan

6th Degree - Kyoshi

7th Degree - Kyoshi Sama

8th Degree - Dai Kyoshi

9th Degree - Kancho

10th Degree - Hanshi

The above titles are usually awarded at the corresponding levels but not always. If you hear a black belt addressed as Dai Sensei, Dai Renshi or Dai Shihan, he or she is between ranks, for example, a Dai Sensei is a probationary 4th Degree black belt and should be attempting grading at the next official Black Belt grading day.

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