Beginner to Blackbelt

Kyu levels

The Bujinkan Dōjō has a series of kyū (grades) below the level of shodan. The new student starts at mukyu (“without grade”) and progresses from kukyu (9-kyu), the lowest rank, to ikkyu (1-kyu), the highest. Unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, kyu grade practitioners wear green belts (men) or red belts (women), and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts.  On the feet they wear tabi (soft-sole tabi for indoor training and jika-tabi for outdoor training).

Dan levels

There are ten dan grades in the Bujinkan, with the final Ju-Dan level having additional five levels of rank. With the exception of fifth dan (see below) there are no fixed criteria for attaining each grade. At 5th dan the training focus changes to becoming more responsive and responding naturally in dynamic & increasingly challenging situations.

In order to attain fifth dan (godan), fourth dan practitioners must submit to a sakki (or godan) test.

A shidōshi (士道師) is entitled to open their own Bujinkan dōjō and grade students up to fourth dan. A practitioner between first dan and fourth dan may become a licensed assistant teacher (shidōshi-ho) if backed by and acting under the supervision of a shidōshi. In the Bujinkan, a person ranked tenth dan or higher is often referred to as a shihan.