Levels (級・段)

Shuji/Shodo levels are assigned in a similar fashion to most dojo styles of study (i.e., Karate, Judo, Kendo, …). The levels are divided into Kyuu (級) and Dan (段). The kyuu levels progress from 10 to 1, with 1 being the highest. The dan levels work up to 8. Special societies have ranking systems above 8th dan, but that is something of which I know little.

Shihan (師範) is classification as an instructor and is more of a title than a rank.

級・段	reading	level	notes
新	shin	unranked	once works are submitted a kyuu level is assigned.
十級	jukkyuu	10th	any submission achieves at least this level.
九級	kyuukyuu	9th
八級	hachikyuu	8th
七級	nanakyuu	7th	my level after initial submission (Dec 2005)
六級	rokkyuu	6th	(Jan 2006)
五級	gokyuu	5th	(Feb 2006)
四級	yonkyuu	4th	(Mar 2006)
三級	sankyuu	3rd	(Apr 2006)
二級	nikyuu	2nd	(Jul 2006)
一級	ikkyuu	1st	(Dec 2006)
準初段	jun-shodan	pre-beginning	(Jul 2007)
初段	shodan	beginning	(Dec 2007) Must use advanced kaisho model. Should use paper with no guidelines or ruling. Obtained elementary teaching license.
準二段	jun-nidan	pre-2nd	(Jan 2009) took a year to advance because of lack of study and ever increasing standards.
二段	nidan	2nd
準三段	jun-sandan	pre-3rd
三段	sandan	3rd	can use reisho and tensho styles
準四段	jun-yodan	pre-4th
四段	yodan	4th
準五段	jun-godan	pre-5th
五段	godan	5th	from this level one can request a kyouju license
準六段	jun-rokudan	pre-6th
六段	rokudan	6th
準七段	jun-nanadan	pre-7th
七段	nanadan	7th
準八段	jun-hachidan	pre-8th
八段	hachidan	8th	the highest level in this system

Rank is never decreased. If one submits a work inferior to a prior work, then rank stays at the same level. My observation has also been that the skill difference between ranks gets greater and greater as one moves up.

There is a children’s ranking system that has the same labels. There is no exact difference between levels in the two systems, but when one moves to the adult system they are set back to a lower level. I treat the levels as equal to be on the safe side (and to encourage the youngest children). Once one is over a certain age (18, I think) they must be ranked as an adult if they continue in the society. Starting at age 40, I was required to use the adult ranking system. If a child reaches hachidan, then they are moved to the adult scale regardless of age. Moving to the adult system is accompanied by a test to determine ones appropriate level in the new scale. I believe a few of the young ladies in my school are on the adult scale (and ahead of me). It is very impressive to watch how they handle the brush.

From shodan students must start painting kaisho script using the advanced model, instead of the beginner’s model. From sandan students can start using the reisho and rinsho styles. Also, from sandan students may submit works to the shoyuu gallery (書友ギャラリー), which is a relatively free form opportunity. The gallery model is only words in printed text: the submitting artist must decide which style to use. Every month I study the chosen works and the authors’ reasons for the styles they chose. When I make it to this level, I will surely submit entries.