Fifth Dan in Judo....how do you do it overseas, and how it is recognized in Japan?

[Mekugi]

I have a question: how many legitimate 5th dan people are recognized by the Kodokan in the USA? How are they registered? Just curious.... thanks in advance!

All the best!

[wildwills]

Not sure how many Kodokan ranked godans there are in the U.S. My guess is not too many. In the USJA, to achieve Kodokan ranking you either practice judo in Japan and take the test for the Kodokan rank at the Kodokan or if you have rank in USA Judo/USJF/USJA one can seek
a Kodokan Rank by completing an application and having it reviewed by the US Kodokan Committee. The US Kodokan Committee has to recommend you to the Kodokan Institute in Japan. My understanding is that the Kodokan does not skip rank....meaning that any Kodokan godan in the U.S. would also have been a Kodokan yondan previously.

I'm still a far-far way from that point, so I'm just giving a guess on what I've heard from other judoka and read in USJA material.

[Mekugi]

Thanks! This is something that interests me. So these have to go through a committee recognized by the Kodokan, other than applying directly to them?

[wildwills]

Thanks! This is something that interests me. So these have to go through a committee recognized by the Kodokan, other than applying directly to them?

Yep, that's the way I understand it.

[Abbax8]

Side Bar

Years ago I was at a week long summer camp. One of the instructors was a Kodokan Sandan. During the week he was promoted by the USJA to Yondan. They wanted, indeed forced him, to wear the Black/Red belt. He was not too pleased. By the end of camp he was back in his solid Black sash. The thing is, this man, I won't reveal his name without his permission, was an excellent technician and teacher. In my opinion, he deserved much higher rank. His concern was that those promoting him were not his instructors.

I now return you to your normal discussion of this thread.

Dennis

[Mekugi]

Wow...so he didn't feel right about the promotion? Did he flat out reject it?

[Webmaster]

Russ, in the case of Judo rank, it's pretty much for your organization and any others that might also recognize the rank. If the Judoka has rank in the US Judo Federation, they would receive automatic recognition by US Judo, the national governing body under the International Judo Federation (IJF). If you are US Judo Association, you might receive recognition from US Judo, or you might not. Depends on the phase of the moon. Lots of politics and bad blood between the two organizations. If you do have rank under US Judo, under the by-laws of the IJF, member Federations are required to recognize the rank of other Federation members. So if you are ranked with US Judo, the All Japan Judo Federation is required to recognize your rank, and you are now ranked in Japan. On the other hand, the Kodokan does not have to recognize rank the All Japan Judo Federation, but generally they do since most high level competitors in Japan belong to both.

[Mekugi]

Thanks, very informative. It seems the All Japan Judo Federation handles the majority if the ranks. You've probably guessed I am researching something...this is a great help. The details are think and political (by my standards) and an experienced point of view is essential.