The use of dan-grades was introduced by Jigoro Kano ( the founder of jūdō) in 1883. Around that same time the Tōkyō police department was using a kyū-system that ran from 8th (lowest) to 1st (highest) kyū.
Following these systems the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai 大日本武徳会 in Kyōtō introduced the kyū-dan-systems for several martial arts in the following decade.
A student first passes the kyū-grades, from the higest number to 1st kyū. After that the dan-grades are passed from 1st dan to the higher “numbers”. Studenst without a dan-grade are called: mudansha 無段者 (person without a dan) genoemd; practitioners with a dan-grade are called: yūdansha 有段者 (person with dan).
How many kyū/dan grades are used in a school depends on the style and tradititon. Is also depends on the tradition if coloured belt are used for the kyū-grades. Originally no colours were used for the kyū-grades only white. After this a system was common in jūdō were students would wear a light blue belt, after that white; brown and black with the dan-grades. The now common system of belt colours: (white, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown) is attributed to jūdō-teacher Kawaishi Mikonosuke. There is a theorie that he developed the colours so one belt could be dyed progressively darker each grade.
The use of the kuro obi 黒帯 (black belt) to signify practitioners woth a dan-grade was not common from the start. Practitioners would wear wide kimono-style obi (sash). It’s said that Jigoro Kano adopted the black colour from swimming practice, where advances swimmers would wear a black ribbon.
The kyū grades and the first couple of dan grades are usually technical grades. This means that the student will receive their grade on basis of their technical knowledge and skill.
In some schools the higher dan-grades are presented on basis of recomendation by senior practitioners and on basis of ones contribution to the school or style.
In Kochōkai tehre are 3 kyū-grades and 8 dan-grades in Mugai ryū; and 5 kyū grades en 4 dan-grades in Meifu Shinkage ryū. All grades in both the schools are technical grades. The use of coloured belt is not common in both these schools, but a wide kimono-style sash is worn.
More information:
- Lowry, Dave (2006). In the dojo, a guide to rituals and etiquette of the japanese martial arts.
- Internet-article van D. Cunningham
- Theory on Mokuroku 目録, menkyo 免許
- Examens in Mugai ryū
