Below are some notes from my lecture at the Kwanmukan symposium. I wanted to share these with the entire Kwanmukan. I will also convey some notes on the way the application of the Bushido code and Budo values have changed shortly.

Dan Standing in the Kwanmukan
I want to speak briefly about what we are about and what titles mean to give you a perspective of where you stand, what you should know, and how you should behave. While I have indicated a purpose for each dan bracket within the Kwanmukan, the purposes are additive. You never leave your requirements as a Kyu or low Dan rank; the additional rank requirements are added to where you are today.

The kyu and junior black belts’ job is to learn karate movements. They learn the style of movement, which is reflective of the system. This is a limited study. A first dan acknowledges that a student has enough knowledge to learn how to apply/work the system. This can be as Budo – intrinsic mental and spiritual as well as body movement, competition – external, or as self-defense – personal.

As you read the below, you will notice that this is essentially a five dan system, although we use 10 levels.

1st dan – 3rd dan learn to work the system. The student has developed enough skills to begin to study the application of the system and to expand applied knowledge. 4th Dan – 6th Dan are the Instructor’s staff. Their job is to present the system to the lower student base. 7th – 8th dan oversee the system. They ensure it is presented correctly. 9th dan acts as the residual of the system. 10th dan is a recognition of contribution to the system. Any system is in flux. Those who get Shodan today know different things than those who received Shodan years ago. The same with the other Dan. Not only that, but personal perspective is based on body type, interest, and outlook on martial arts. A shihan cannot recreate themselves in their students. They must mentor and allow the students to create themselves. To follow their path, their unique insights. Each generation of senior students will have their residual training, which will be the system, and it will not be today’s system.

For example, many of the kata in the Kwanmukan were learned by senior Shihan at low dan levels and young ages where their athleticism gave a different expression of a kata. This allowed many years of inculcation, even if not in the kata of their concentration. Memory and physical retention were easier, if not better, at those ages. Because of the way we train today, many of our higher dans do not know many of those forms, and over time, such knowledge will be lost, yet, other knowledge can be gained.


Curriculum Committee – Most Important
I would also like to say a few things about senior dan ranking. We require a 9-month notice of promotion. Some feel we should be able to confer such a promotion at a whim. But let’s take a look at this. To go from 4th to 5th degree, a karateka should have 4-5 years of training, 5-6 for a Rukudan, etc. Thus, the high dan promotion is not a surprise. There are years of preparation and readiness. Anyone who has time in grade knows a promotion point may come up as notice was served years ago – at their last promotion. To require a 9-month notice for someone who has been in grade the minimum has nothing to do with the promotion. Only the time necessary to complete the organizational process: A review of what that person has done and what that person is doing for the Kwanmukan.


Importance of the Curriculum Committee
It makes no sense for the Kwanmukan to automatically dole out a high dan rank if the individual is not contributing to the Kwanmukan. Then, there is also the need to ensure they comply with first aid and concession training and can pass a background screening. The time to contact the curriculum committee is immediately upon receiving your last Dan promotion. This gives you a chance to create your plan of action and requirements for the next promotion and confirms your commitment to Kwanmukan in some fashion.