What is the highest rank in Karate?
It depends upon what kind of rank you mean. The highest possible rank is the tenth dan, but only one person generally holds that rank at a time. There have never been any Westerners to achieve any rank higher than 7th dan in Shotokan Karate. Usually the tenth dan is a Japanese in most organizations. Each organization might have its own tenth dan rank holder. Usually the time requirements imposed upon rank promotions ensure that only people over the age of 75 with more than 40 years of Karate experience can even hope to receive the 10th dan. Many suggest that the highest rank is the 5th dan. (Master Funakoshi held this ranking) After this rank, promotions are largely based upon company networking within an organization and participation and contribution to activities.
