Nindo Ryu Rank Structure
Note: The belt structure shown on this site is based on the Nindo Ryu Gendai Ninjutsu and Nindo Goshin Jujutsu curriculum. The order and belt colors may vary on some of the other Nindo Ryu divisions.
Mudansha
無 段 者
This is the basic level in training (Shoden). In this level, the student learns the foundation of the Ryu. Nindo Ryu follows the Kyu rank structure used in Budo. The kyu is a system used to designate grades or class of proficiency or experience. The kyu structure varies from art to art. In Nindo Ryu there are 9 belt levels, starting from Kukyu (9th Kyu White Belt to Ikkyu (1st Kyu Advanced Brown belt). Students does not start at Kukyu from day one. They start from Mukyu 無級 (no rank), also known in Nindo Ryu as ñecla.
Kyu Ranks
- Kukyu 九級 (9th Class ) - minimum time, 1 month after acceptance into the Ryuha.
- Hachikyu 八級 (8th Class) - minimum time, 4 months after Kukyu promotion.
- Nanakyu 七級 (7th Class) - minimum time, 4 months after Hachukyu promotion.
- Rokkyu 六級 (6th Class) - minimum time, 4 months after Nanakyu promotion.
- Gokyu 五級 (5th Class) - minimum time, 4 months after Rokkyu promoti
- Yonkyu 四級 (4th Class) - minimum time, 4 months after Gokyu promotion.
- Sankyu 三級 (3rd Class) - minimum time, 4 months after Yonkyu promotion.
- Nikyu 二級 (2nd Class) - minimum time, 6 to 8 months from Sankyu promotion.
- Ikkyu 一級 (1st Class) - minimum time, 6 to 8 months after Nikyu promotion.
Yudansha
有 段 者
This is the advanced level (Okuden). Nindo Ryu follows the Dan system as in most Budo arts. After becoming proficient in the basic techniques of the Ryu, the student advances to Black Belt. Attaining black belt does not mean completion of training. It means that the student is proficient in the basics and is ready to learn the inner secrets of the Ryu. As in most Budo arts, there are 10 Dan grades starting from Shodan (1st Degree) to Judan (10th Degree).
Dan Ranks
- Shodan 初段 (1st Degree) - minimum time, 4 to 5 years of training
- Nidan 二段 (2nd Degree) - minimum time, 1 to 2 years after attaining Shod
- Sandan 三段 (3rd Degree) - minimum time, 2 to 3 years after attaining Nidan.
- Yondan 四段 (4th Degree) - minimum time, 3 to 4 years after Sandan promotion.
- Godan 五段 (5th Degree) - minimum time, 3 to 5 years after Yondan promotion.
- Rokudan 六段 (6th Degree) - minimum time, upon Dai Shihan's discretion.
- Nanadan 七段 (7th Degree) - minimum time, upon Dai Shihan's discretion.
- Hachidan 八段 (8th degree) - minimum time, upon Dai Shihan's discretion.
- Hachidan 八段 (8th degree) - minimum time, upon Dai Shihan's discretion.
- Kudan 九段 (9th Degree) - minimum time, upon Dai Shihan's discretion.
- Judan 十段 (10th Degree) - Upon the founders passing or retirement from active duty.
Forms of Address
Within the dojo, students and instructors are addressed with specific terms. These are used to show respect to those who are senior to you. For example, you would call your instructor 'Sensei'. If your addressing another instructor, you would address him or her by their last name and the title Sensei. Example: Smith Sensei.
- Kohai 後輩 - Junior. This is used to refer to intermediate students usually holding Yonkyu and Sankyu rank.
- Sempai 先輩 - Senior. This is used in reference to a student assistant, holding Nikyu to Nidan.
- Sensei 先生 - Teacher. General term used to refer to any licensed instructor regardless of rank and title. Usually holds Sandan and above.
- O’Sensei 大先生 - Great Teacher. Highly regarded or respected teacher. This is an honorific title spoken in reference of those held in high esteem.
Teaching Titles
These titles are given separate and in addition to the standard Dan grade in order to recognize the ability of an experienced senior instructor. You do not verbally refer to someone using these titles.
- Shidoin 指導員 - Instructor. This title refers to a group leader or black belt assistant holding Sandan rank.
- Renshi 錬士 - Instructor. "Ren" means polished or tempered. "Shi" mean person. This refers to a teaching professional holding Yondan and Godan rank.
- Kyoshi 教士 - Master Teacher.. "Kyo" means professor or philosophy. This refers to a high ranking instructor, usually holding Rokudan ranking and above.
- Hanshi 範士 - Model Teacher. "Han" means model. Instructor to be modeled after. This title refers to a senior expert considered a "teacher of teachers" holding Hachidan rank and above.
Director Titles
These titles are used to identify instructors who hold specific positions within the dojo and / or Federation / Kai..
- Dojo Cho 道場長 - School Leader. This is the active administrator of a school or training hall. The practitioner is considered a skilled technician and is ready to teach others and therefore awarded Menkyo 免許. He or she oversees all operation in the school and reports to the Shibu Cho. Dojo Cho usually holds the rank of Yondan (4th Degree).
- Shibu Cho 支部長 – Regional leader. This is the active administrator and director of a region. The practitioner is considered a seasoned teacher and a leader within the Ryu. He or she oversees all operations for his or her assigned region or territory and reports to the Kancho. The Shibu Cho is usually a Rokudan to Hachidan and holds the title of Kyoshi (Senior Teacher).
- Kancho 館長 – House Leader. This is the active senior administrator of a particular division and is the chosen heir to that division. He or she is considered a leader of leaders and therefore awarder Menkyo Kaiden 免許皆伝.The Kancho oversees all operations within their division and reports to the Kaicho. He or she is usually ranked Hachidan or higher and holds the title of Hanshi (Master Teacher).
- Kaicho 会長 – President / Chairman of the Kai. This is the active senior administrator of Nindo Ryu Bujutsu Kai and all it’s branches. The Kaicho oversees all operations within the Kai and is ranked Judan. Kaicho is the highest authority in the Ryuha and holds the title of Dai Shihan or Dai Soke.
- Soke 宗家 - Head of the Family. "So" means head or master. "Ke" means house or family. This refers to the appointed leader of a Ryuha or Kai. This is normally a hereditary title, to be used by the Judan successor, after the founder passes away.
- Dai Shihan 大師範 - Great Master. This title refers to the highest among all master instructors or the head master of a Ryuha or Kai.