Rank in Judo English language edition (1955) of "Illustrated Kodokan Judo", edited by the Kōdōkan, says: This statement was later clarified, however. Essentially, the dan-rank system was capped at 10 after the death of Kanō. In that respect, in the November 1963 issue of "Jūdō", the Kōdōkan's official magazine, the Kōdōkan responding to the question "Do the 11th and 12th Dan really exist?" clarifies that the hierarchy now stops at 10 and that the Kōdōkan does not envisage any nominations to these grades. There have only been fifteen 10th dan promotions awarded by the Kōdōkan in the history of Judo. Although "dan" ranks
Rank in Judo Rank in Judo In Judo, improvement and understanding of the art is denoted by a system of rankings split into "kyū" and "dan" grades. These are indicated with various systems of coloured belts, with the black belt indicating a practitioner who has attained a certain level of competence. are ranked according to skill and knowledge of the art. Their rank is indicated by the colour of belt that they wear. There are two broad categories of rank: those who have attained a level of competency at which they are considered worthy of a and who hold grades and those who