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.