Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu Ranking System

10^th Kyu White Belt - Beginner

 9^th Kyu White Belt w/ Yellow Stripe - 2 or 3 months of training

 8^th Kyu Yellow Belt - 3 to 6 months of training

 7^th Kyu Blue Belt - 6 to 9 months of training

 6^th Kyu Green Belt - 9 to 12 months of training

 5^th Kyu Green Belt w/ Blue Stripe - 12 to 15 months of training

 4^th Kyu Purple Belt - 15 to 21 months of training

 3^rd Kyu Brown Belt - 21 to 28 months of training

 2^nd Kyu Brown Belt w/ 2 Black Stripes - 28 to 34 months of training

 1^st Kyu Brown Belt w/ 3 Black Stripes - 34 to 40 months training

 Shodan-Ho (Jr. Black Belt/Student Black Belt) - 40 to 46 months of training

 Shodan (1^st Degree Black Belt) - 42 to 48 months of training

 Nidan (2^nd Degree Black Belt) - 5 or more years of training

 Sandan (3^rd Degree Black Belt) - 7 or more years of training

 Yondan (4^th Degree Black Belt) - 10 or more years of training

 Godan (5^th Degree Black Belt) - 13 or more years of training

Advancement past the Dan grade of Godan is earned by time-in-grade and active participation in teaching the art of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu. Dan grades up to the rank of Hachidan are bestowed upon loyal student/practitioners in recognition of their age, longevity and dedication to the art of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu. The ranks of Kudan and Judan are honorary and will only be bestowed upon the Ni Dai Soke, Soke Dai and Soke of the art.

All Teaching Certifications, titles and recognitions in Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu are issued solely by the Soke of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu. Each Menkyo will bear the seals of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu Kai World Honbu Dojo and the signature seal of the Sho Dai Soke.

Renshi - A title bestowed upon a 4^th or 5^th Dan Black Belt in recognition of having obtained the Teaching Certification of Menkyo Renshi (must have previously earned Menkyo Shoden, Menkyo Chuden and Menkyo Okuden). This is a two-sided belt - Red & White on one side, Black on the other side.

Menkyo Kaiden - a title bestowed upon a 5^th Dan Black Belt or higher in recognition of having obtained the Teaching Certification of Menkyo Kaiden (must have previously earned Menkyo Shoden, Menkyo Chuden and Menkyo Okuden). This is a Teaching License of full proficiency in the art of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu and may only be bestowed by the Soke. This is a two-sided belt - Red & Black on one side, Black on the other side.

Shihan - A title bestowed upon a 6^th or 7^th Dan Black Belt in recognition of having completed the requirements of Shihan Gi and has obtained the Teaching Certification of Menkyo Shihan (must have previously earned Menkyo Shoden, Menkyo Chuden and Menkyo Okuden and Menkyo Renshi). This belt will only be bestowed upon one who has earned the minimum rank of Rokudan. The belt consists of Red & White panels.

Kyoshi - a title bestowed upon a 7^th Dan Black Belt or higher in recognition of having obtained the requirements of all Teaching Certifications (Menkyo Shoden, Menkyo Chuden, Menkyo Okuden, Menkyo Renshi, Menkyo Shihan and Menkyo Kaiden). This belt will only be bestowed upon one who has earned the minimum rank of Shichidan. The belt consists of Red & Black panels.

Hanshi - a title bestowed upon 8^th Dan Black Belts in recognition of their age, longevity and dedication to the art of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu (must be age 55 or over and have earned all previous Dan grades). This belt is 2 wide and solid Red.

Soke - a title bestowed upon one who inherits the leadership of the art of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu. This title is bestowed upon the descendants of the Sho Dai Soke (Founder) of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu by the hand of the Sho Dai Soke alone. This belt is 2 wide, solid Red with a Black Stripe running through the center of the belt. The Ni Dai Soke will be denoted by a Gold Stripe running down the center of the belt.

Sho Dai Soke - this is the obi worn by the originator and founder of the art of Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu. There is only one Sho Dai Soke. Therefore, this obi can only be worn by him. No other Black Belts, Menkyos, Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi, Hanshi or Soke may darn this obi in Aiki Ryu Ju Jitsu. This is a two-sided 2 wide belt - solid Black on one side solid Red on the other.