Rank and Title Qualifications and bestowal of title by Professor LeClair is done on an individualized basis. For each Martial Artist many factors, including continued training, contribution to the martial arts and character are considered. Under certain circumstances titles and or ranks of an individual may cease to be recognized within our organization at the discretion of Professor LeClair. All instructors at our Dojo as well as the instructors belonging to the associations that we are affiliated with are required to be addressed by their martial arts title. Assistant instructors should be addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss (last name) and not by their first name. A title is something that one earns, and in the martial arts the tradition of using the persons "title" is thousands of years old. Black Belts ShoDan 1st degree NiDan 2nd degree SanDan 3rd degree YonDan/YoDan 4th degree GoDan 5th degree RokuDan 6th degree ShichiDan 7th degree HachiDan 8th degree KuDan 9th degree JuDan 10th degree Titles: Assistant Instructor: To assist a class and in some cases run a class. Minimum: Brown Belt level, under direction of a Sensei. Sensei: A student who is ShoDan rank or above who is literally acknowledged by a Shihan or Soke, is at least 18 years of age and also has reached a special physical level of proficiency and is able to communicate his teachings to a student effectively. The Sensei at our dojo are humble, respectful, and of good character, exercising self-control and are of good standing in the community. Our Sensei realize the importance of the title that has been awarded them and they are excellent role models for the younger ranks. Also the title of Sensei is a very honorable position, as not all black belts are Senseis. Note: Full Sensei status is reached at SanDan level, although we use the term Sensei interchangeably to those instructors who qualify at ShoDan. Shihan: "Doctor", "Master Teacher", or "Model Teacher". A title representing a master in Japanese martial arts. Usually, these instructors are of very high rank, sixth-degree black belt and above, and some head their own styles or schools. Shihans also study directly under a Soke. You may also see the red & white paneled belt worn at our dojo, this belt is reserved for Shihans. The red panel symbolizes courage and the white panel symbolizes purity. Professor: A teacher of the highest rank in an institution of higher learning. Soke-dai: The word Soke-dai means inheritor of a martial arts system, next in succession from the current Soke. Soke: The word Soke means head of family in Japanese. It is an ancient term used by the Samurai to describe the head of a martial art training system. Back to previous page