Wednesday, January 15, 2014 by C. Michial Jones
To understand the ranks of the masters, we must look further back than the 1950s. The ranking system we recognize today—the Keiko-gi (uniform), the Obi (belt), and the Dan grades—was not an ancient Okinawan invention. It was a 20th-century adaptation.
Gichin Funakoshi Sensei, the founder of Shotokan, borrowed these concepts from the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano. When Funakoshi began teaching in Tokyo in 1922, he sought to modernize the art for a Japanese audience.
The First Promotions (1924)
In April 1924, Funakoshi Sensei issued the first official karate black belts to seven of his senior students: six received Shodan and one received Nidan. At that time, the system was capped at 5th Dan. This 1-through-5 structure was later adopted by Kenwa Mabuni for the Shito-Ryu system.
By the late 1920s, the “Black Obi” had become a symbol of expertise across the community. Masters like Choki Motobu, Chomo Hanashiro, and Chosin Chibana began appearing in photographs wearing the black belt, though often without a specific numerical “Dan” designation.
The Butokukai and the Master Titles
In the 1930s, the Dai Nippon Butokukai (the governing body for Japanese martial arts) became the authority for recognizing Karate as a legitimate art. This is where the titles of Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi originated.
Chojun Miyagi Sensei made history in 1937 when the Butokukai awarded him the rank of Kyoshi. He was the first master in history to receive this designation for Karate.
The Early Title Holders:
As the Butokukai began standardizing the art, titles were issued based on age, contribution, and technical mastery:
| Year | Name | Title | Age |
| 1937 | Chojun Miyagi | Kyoshi | 49 |
| 1939 | Gichin Funakoshi | Renshi | 71 |
| 1939 | Kenwa Mabuni | Renshi | 50 |
| 1940 | Seiko Higa | Renshi | 42 |
| 1940 | Shoshin Nagamine | Renshi | 35 |
| 1940 | Gogen Yamaguchi | Renshi | 32 |
The Post-War Standardization
It is a fascinating piece of history that Yasuhiro Konishi—a student of both Funakoshi and Mabuni—was appointed head of the Butokukai committee responsible for awarding these grades.
Following World War II, these early Butokukai titles formed the foundation for modern associations. By 1951, organizations like the Kokusai Budoin and the All Okinawa Karate Kobudo Rengokai were established. However, it wasn’t until the formation of FAJKO (Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organizations) in 1964, and a blanket standard in 1971, that the rigid 1-through-10 Dan system we see today became the global norm.
The Lesson for Today
When we see a 30-year-old claiming a “Master” title today, we should remember that Gichin Funakoshi, the man who brought Karate to Japan, was 71 years old when he was awarded Renshi.
The system was designed to reward a lifetime of study. The belt is not a destination; it is a historical record of a tradition that was refined through the scrutiny of the Butokukai and the sweat of the Okinawan pioneers. We wear the belt to honor their timeline, not just our own progress.
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