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Japanese name

Kyū (?)[kjuː] is a Japanese term used in modern martial arts, the tea ceremony, flower arranging, go, shogi, academic tests and other similar activities to designate various grades, levels or class of proficiency or experience. In China, kyū (級) is called "ji", and it is used for academic tests. In Korea, the term geup (급) is used (also transliterated as gup or kup). In Vietnamese martial arts, it is known as cấp (khớp).


In 1883, Kanō Jigorō, the founder of Judo, established the system of Dan ranking to measure the Judo practitioners' ability.[1] This system was referred to the Dan ranking system of Go, the ancient board game. Some organizations of academic tests started using the Kyū ranking system to measure candidates' ability.[2]



Martial arts usage[edit]

The certificate of 8th kyū in karate.

In modern Japanese martial arts, kyū-level practitioners hold the ranks below dan or black belt. The kyū ranking system varies from art to art and school to school. In some arts, all the kyū-level practitioners wear white belts while in others different coloured belts, tags or stripes are used; in kendo for example the belt system is not used. Although some aikido schools do use a coloured belt system the norm is for kyū grades to wear a white belt, and for dan grades to wear a black belt.[5] Kyū-level practitioners are often called mudansha (無段者?), "ones without dan" and are considered as initiates rather than students. When practitioners have reached the ranking of first degree black belt, they become shodansha (初段者?). The holder of a black belt of any degree is a yūdansha (有段者?), "one with dan".

Academic tests usage[edit]

The certificate of Pre 2nd kyū Japanese Kanji examination.

The organizations of martial arts are not only issuers, but the organizations of academic tests also issue Kyū grading system and dan ranking system. Some organizations of academic tests started Kyū ranking system to measure the candidates' ability. For instance, the Japanese Kanji Aptitude Test Association issue the gradings from 10th to 1st Kyū, and it also provides Pre-1st and Pre 2nd Kyū.[6]

List of Kyū ranks[edit]

Some martial arts refer to the kyū ranks entirely in Japanese.[citation needed] Kyū ranks progress using a descending order system, so 1st kyū is the highest. For example, the first kyū outranks the 2nd kyū. The Dan ranking system starts after 1st kyū. Essentially, the kyū is the number of steps before reaching mastery whereas the dan gives steps into mastery.


1st (Highest)Ikkyū1級 /　一級
Pre 1stJun-Ikkyū準1級 /　準一級
2ndNikyū2級　/　二級
Pre 2ndJun-Nikyū準2級　/　準二級
3rdSankyū3級 /　三級
4thYonkyū4級　/　四級
5thGokyū5級　/　五級
6thRokkyū6級　/　六級
7thNanakyū7級　/　七級
8thHakkyū　/　Hachikyu8級 / 八級
9thKyūkyū9級 / 九級
10thJukkyū10級 / 十級




Kyū ranks in China[edit]

The grading system of Kyū is imported to China too. Kyū (級) in China is called "ji" (same character different pronunciation), and 1st kyu is the lowest as same as descending order. For example, the Chinese language test certified HSK uses 6th ji as the highest grade.

Coloured belts[edit]

Karateka wearing different coloured belts



See also[edit]


  1. ^ Black Belt Magazine, May 1991 Page 64.
  3. ^ Kendo America: Kendo Rank
  4. ^ Morris, Phil; The Origins Of Judo’s Kyu/Dan Grading System
  5. ^ Lawler, Jennifer; Martial Arts For Dummies John Wiley & Sons, 2011 ISBN 978-1-118-06961-5
  6. ^ SOAS: Japanese Kanji Aptitude Tests
  8. ^ Lowry, Dave; In the dojo: the rituals and etiquette of the Japanese martial arts Shambhala Publications, 2006, p55

External links[edit]