A dan is a black belt awarded to students who have reached the 10th degree of karate, from the 8th to the 10th dan. It is a symbol of technical and mental mastery in the martial art. Learn about the history, the criteria and the variations of the dan system in Japan and Okinawa. A dan is a Japanese mark of level that is used in traditional fine arts and martial arts. It is often awarded by a higher-graded representative of the principal dojo or by a steering committee. The highest dan rank is 10th dan, which is equivalent to a black belt in karate. Learn more about the history, usage and styles of dan ranks in karate and other martial arts. Dan. The dan ( 段) ranking system is used by many Japanese, Okinawan, Korean, and other martial arts organizations to indicate the level of a person's ability within a given system. Used as a ranking system to quantify skill level in a specific domain, it was originally used at a Go school during the Edo period. [1] There are 10 Kyu and 10 Dan in JKA karate. To obtain certification for each rank, you must fulfill the certification requirements and complete the testing procedure. Testing - or grading - is carried out by a panel of instructors authorized as JKA technical examiners. Dan-grade karateka are referred to as yudansha (holders of dan/rank). Yudansha typically wear a black belt. Requirements of rank differ among styles, organizations, and schools. Kyū ranks stress stances, balance and coordination. Traditionally, speed and power are a condition of passing higher grades. Dan means degree. There are ten black belt ranks in Karate. The degrees start with the lowest number (1st dan or 1st-degree black belt) and reach the final, 10th dan (10th-degree black belt). The dan is represented by a white stripe on a black belt; each stripe represents one dan. Dan Belts Prior to getting your black belt, you must climb the ranks through the 10 "kyu" levels. The first five levels, or ranks, are signified with colored belts: white, orange, red, yellow, and green. The sixth and seventh levels are signified with a purple belt, and the eighth through tenth levels are represented with a brown belt. Great Grandmaster Fred Villari Generally, the Dan system has three levels: Black Belt: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan Master: Godan, Rokudan, Shichidan, Hachidan, Kyudan, Judan Senior Judan: Jushodan, Junidan, Jusandan, Juyondan Grandmaster: Jugodan (Reserved for the Founder) Shodan indicates skill in the basics of the style. Dan -level ranking begins after first kyu. Kyu -ranked students are juniors, including beginning students who hold a 10th Kyu rank. Dan-Grade werden durch schwarze Gürtel gekennzeichnet. Was bedeuten die Dan-Grade? Die Dan-Grade sind eine Art der Einteilung und Klassifizierung von Karateka. Hierbei geht es in erster Linie um den Ausbildungsstand, die Kenntnisse und das Können des Karateka. Die verschiedenen Dan-Grade stehen also für unterschiedliche Fähigkeiten und Erfahrungen. TPU4.