These are guidelines and may vary by Associations or Organizations that belong to the

American Budo Society

Yudansha Ranks (Black Belt)
• Shodan – 1st Degree
• Nidan – 2nd Degree with 2 red stripes
• Sandan – 3rd Degree with 3 red stripes
• Yodan – 4th Degree with 4 red stripes (Renshi Sho Ceremonial Belt – white and red belt with white worn up)
• Godan – 5th Degree with 5 red stripes (Renshi Dai Ceremonial Belt – white and red belt with white worn down)
• Rokudan – 6th Degree with 1 gold strip (Ceremonial Belt - Red and White Paneled Belt)*
• Shichidan – 7th Degree with 2 gold stripes (Ceremonial Belt - Red and White Paneled Belt)
• Hachidan – 8th Degree with 3 gold stripes (Ceremonial Belt - Red and White Paneled Belt)
• Kudan – 9th Degree – Red Belt
• Judan – 10th Dan – Red Belt

Some Associations or Organizations prefer to wear Black Belts with stripes at the end of their belt to indicate their ranks, red or gold which is acceptable.

Titled Ranks Exceptions: Optional Belts
• Professor –Rokudan, Kyoshi Sho (Ceremonial Belt has silver stripe)
• Professor – Shichidan, Kyoshi Dai (Ceremonial Belt has gold stripe)
• Professor – Hachidan, Kyoshi Dai (Ceremonial Belt has gold stripe)
• Hanshi – Hachidan (Ceremonial Belt - Red with silver stripe)
• Hanshi – Kudan (Ceremonial Belt - Red has gold stripe)

Contact American Budo Society,
Select the Animation and "THROW" us an E-Mail

Back To Home Page

Created and Maintained by:Sifu Designs