Universal Ukogi Jujitsu
Belts, Rank and Titles
The bright colored belts (white, yellow, and orange) are viewed as beginner students. A military equivalent would be privates and corporals. The green belts are like a low level sergeant. They are the link between the lower belts and the brown belts. They are the ones who should be quietly helping beginners learn the customs of the dojo (school).
Brown belts are considered intermediate level students. They are the junior leaders and the representatives for the class. They should be capable of running a class and dealing with answering the phones. The intensity of their training should increase.
Mudansha ranking
| Rank | Belt color | Minimum time in grade |
Common time in grade |
| Beginner | White | 2 months | 2-3 months |
| Rokyu | Yellow | 2 months | 2-4 months |
| Gokyu | Orange | 2 months | 3-4 months |
| Yonkyu | Green | 2 months | 4-5 months |
| Sankyu | Brown | 2 months | 5-8 months |
| Nikyu | Brown | 2 months | 5-8 months |
| Ikkyu | Brown | 2 months | 5-8 months |
Yudansha ranking
| Rank | Belt color | Time in grade |
| Shodan | Black | 1 year |
| Nidan | Black | 2 years |
| Sandan | Black | 3 years |
| Yondan | Black or red and black panel | 4 years |
| Godan | Black or red and black panel | 5 years |
| Rokudan | Black or red and black panel | 6 years |
| Shichidan | Black or white and red panel | 7 years |
| Hachidan | Black or white and red panel | 8 years |
| Kudan | Black or solid red | 9 years |
| Judan | Black or solid red |
The significance of rank
Rank, displayed by belt color, shows others your skill level and authority. A common misconception in the west is that a new black belt is an expert in the art. This is not the case. A new black belt is considered an advanced student.
The bright colored belts (white, yellow, and orange) are viewed as beginner students. A military equivalent would be privates and corporals. The green belts are like a low level sergeant. They are the link between the lower belts and the brown belts. They are the ones who should be quietly helping beginners learn the customs of the dojo (school).
Brown belts are considered intermediate level students. They are the junior leaders and the representatives for the class. They should be capable of running a class and dealing with answering the phones. The intensity of their training should increase. Most students who stay long enough to get ranked leave after their first brown or black belt. This is because the intensity levels increase at these stages in training. The brown belts should help the green belts transition to this new level.
A black belt in Judo means that you can take whatever is thrown at you. You become responsible for your own safety. This may sound mean; but, it is actually very respectful. By not having to worry about injuring a student of low skill level, the black belts are free to practice at whatever intensity they like. This further increases their skills.
Yudansha is the term for any black belt. The chart below shows the classification of yudansha. Some Japanese systems give out titles.
| Degree | Grade | Title | Note |
| 1 | Advanced Student | ||
| 2 | Advanced Student | ||
| 3 | Advanced Student | Some systems consider 3rd degree as teacher grade. | |
| 4 | Teacher | Renshi | |
| 5 | Teacher | Renshi | |
| 6 | Expert | Renshi/Kyoshi | |
| 7 | Expert | Kyoshi | |
| 8 | Expert | Hanshi | |
| 9 | Master | Hanshi | |
| 10 | Master | Hanshi |
Other titles include:
- Shihan: the supreme teacher of a school.
- Meijin: An expert who has gone beyond technique itself.
- Soke: The head of a style.
- Soke Dai: The next in line to be Soke.
- Sensei
The word sensei means teacher. How this is used varies from club to club. It is only used for black belts. Some clubs reserve it for the head instructor. Others call all black belts sensei. Others call 3rd or 4th dan and up sensei.