The grades used by Tajima School of Ju Jitsu are:

• White
• Yellow
• Orange
• Green
• Blue
• Brown
• Black

For junior grades only, the system of ‘stripes’ is used; this means that students receive recognition in-between grades, and helps to motivate them towards their next belt.

Black belt grades are:

• 1st Dan – Shodan
• 2nd Dan – Nidan
• 3rd Dan – Sandan
• 4th Dan – Yondan
• 5th Dan – Godan
• 6th Dan – Rokudan
• 7th Dan – Sichidan
• 8th Dan – Hachidan
• 9th Dan – Kudan
• 10th Dan – Judan

Other titles you will hear within the Yudansha Ju Jitsu Kai are:

• Sempai (Senior) – this refers to the senior student on the mat.
• Sensei (Teacher) – literally translated as ‘one who went before me’.
• Shihan (Master Instructor, or Teacher of Teachers) – This title is used for instructors who have mastered the art of Ju Jitsu in its entirety.
• Renshi (Polished Teacher) – Currently, this title is reserved for the head of the Yudansha Ju Jitsu Kai. It is a ‘shogo title’, which is awarded in recognition of excellent teaching ability and is the only shogo title in use.