How does the Bujinkan ranking system work?
A new student who joins the dojo is considered mu-kyu, or no-rank, and wears a white belt. After mu-kyu, there are nine “kyu” ranks ascending in reverse order from ku-kyu (ninth level) up through i-kyu (first level), all of which wear a green belt. The next rank is shodan, or first degree black belt, and the ranks ascend in order through judan, or tenth degree black belt. Occasionally, students in the upper kyu ranks wear a brown belt to identify them as senior students who are preparing for shodan. Some students see attaining a black belt as the “goal” of training, but it is actually the beginning. Once a student receives black belt, it means they have been exposed to enough of the basics to be ready to truly explore the movements. This exploration is the real meat of training. The Bujinkan ranking system is different from many other martial arts, in that there are an additional five dan ranks above judan (tenth degree black belt), delineated by ju-ichidan, ju-nidan, etc. or by the fi
