GRADES

Technical achievement in kendo is measured by advancement in grade, rank or level. The "kyu" and "dan" grading system is used to assess the level of one's skill in kendo. The dan levels are from 1-dan (sho-dan) to 10-dan (ju-dan). There are usually 6 grades below 1-dan known as kyu. The kyu numbering is in reverse order with 1-kyu (ikkyu) being the grade immediately below 1-dan.

In the AJKF the grades of 9-dan (kyu-dan) and 10-dan (ju-dan) are no longer awarded. However, International Kendo Federation grading rules allow national kendo organisations to establish a special committee to consider the award of those grades.

There are no visible differences between kendo grades; beginners may dress the same as higher-ranking yudansha.

All candidates for examination face a panel of examiners. A larger, more qualified panel is usually assembled to assess the higher dan grades.

Kendo examinations typically consist of a demonstration of the applicants skill and for some dan grades, also a written exam. The 8-dan kendo exam is extremely difficult, with a reported pass rate of less than 1 percent.