Traditionally, the kobudo employ a system of graded licenses called menkyo to denote one's place within the
ryu-ha. The number and names of these licenses may vary from school to school.
In modern times, many schools have adopted a kyu - dan ranking system. This is the rank system with which
people are most familiar. Kyu level training comprises beginner levels of training. Dan level training is
intermediate and advanced training. Dan levels are the equivalents of "black belt" levels in some schools.
The rank requirements for our students are drawn from the methods of the various training lineages taught at our
school. Students training at Kobudo Atlanta are required to pass periodic rank examinations. These examinations
are given as often as once per month, although not every student will be eligible to test each month. Testing is
scheduled on the third Saturday of a given month, based upon need. At the discretion of an instructor, a student
may be tested during class, but this will be the exception and not the rule.
We have chosen to follow a kyu - dan licensing system within our dojo. Students who pass the examination
requirements are issued appropriate rank licenses by our instructors. The ranks and titles used in our dojo along
with the English equivalent is listed below.
Mukyu no rank; new student
Kyukyu ninth class
Hachikyu eighth class
Nanakyu seventh class
Rokkyu sixth class
Gokyu fifth class
Yonkyu fourth class
Sankyu third class
Nikyu second class
Ikkyu first class
Unlike a lot of other schools, we do not employ colored belts to denote rank. New students wear a standard white
judo-style do-gi with a white belt. Upon passing the first formal examination, students then wear the white do-gi
with a black hakama. The jacket is traditionally held closed with a wide obi, or sash, which is different from the
belts generally used in martial arts schools. The obi is worn under the hakama. The obi can be of any color, but is
chosen according to the student's tastes, and does not denote rank whatsoever. This uniform is maintained
through all kyu level training.
Once a student passes the shodan examination, they wear a dark blue keiko-gi jacket with obi and black hakama.
This is the uniform maintained throughout all further levels of training. Instructors wear a white jacket with a
woven black design, or wear the standard dark blue jacket at their discretion.
Shodan first grade
Nidan second grade
Sandan third grade
Yondan fourth grade
Godan fifth grade
Sensei teacher
Dojo-cho head instructor