| Kyoshi | teacher of teachers (usually awarded at 8th or 9th dan) |
Shodan | 1st degree black belt | |
| Shihan | teacher of teachers (usually awarded at 6th or 7th dan) |
Nidan | 2nd degree black belt | |
| Sensei | teacher (usually awarded at 4th dan) |
Sandan | 3rd degree black belt | |
| Senpai | senior student (usually awarded at 1st dan) |
Yondan | 4th degree black belt | |
| Kohai | student | Godan | 5th degree black belt | |
| Rokudan | 6th degree black belt | |||
| Nanadan | 7th degree black belt |