Ranks & Titles

Within the Aikikai O-Sensei (great teacher) and doshu (=grandmaster) take a position outside of the ranking system. Aikido uses the ranking system adopted from Judo and Kendo by O-Sensei.

O-Sensei = Great Teacher (Ueshiba, Morihei)

Doshu = Head of the way (currently Moriteru Ueshiba, son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba, grandson of the founder), the position of Doshu is usually hereditary.

Dojo-cho = "Leader" of a dojo.

Shihan = A senior teacher, master instructor, used for the highest ranking teachers, properly used within the school only, when outside, use Sensei.

Shidoin = Instructor. The middle of three instructor levels instituted by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in the mid-1970s at the time of the creation of the International Aikido Federation. Corresponds approximately to 4th, 5th and 6th degree black belt. The three levels are in ascending order: Fukoshidoin, Shidoin and Shihan.

Sensei = Instructor (teacher), title used for one's instructor.

Dan = the more advanced grades, from 1 to 10:
shodan(1), nidan(2), sandan(3), yondan(4), godan(5), rokudan(6), nanadan(7), hachidan(8), kudan(9), judan(10).

Kyu = Student grade, from 6 up to 1, the highest: rokyu(6), gokyu(5), yonkyu(4), sankyu(3), nikkyu(2, Ikkyu(1).

Yudansha = Members with dan grades.

Mudansha = Members with kyu grades.

Sempai = senior student.

Kohai = junior student.