初段(しょだん)

しょだん
noun
first dan; first-degree rank
leisure
1. first dan; first-degree rank (martial arts, go, shogi)
The first and lowest 段(だん) (dan) rank in martial arts, go, shogi, and similar disciplines, reached after clearing the 級(きゅう) (kyū) grades. In martial arts it corresponds to the first-degree black belt.
柔道(じゅうどう)で初段(しょだん)を取(と)った。
I earned first dan in judo.
彼(かれ)は剣道(けんどう)初段(しょだん)の腕前(うでまえ)だ。
He has the skill of a first-dan in kendo.
何年(なんねん)も稽古(けいこ)を続(つづ)けて、ようやく書道(しょどう)で初段(しょだん)に認定(にんてい)された。
After years of practice, I was finally certified at first dan in calligraphy.

初段(しょだん) is the entry-level 段(だん) rank in martial arts, board games (go, shogi), and traditional arts. 段(だん) ranks count upward (初段(しょだん) → 二段(にだん) → …), so 初段(しょだん) is the start of the higher ranking system, reached after the 級(きゅう) grades.

Related words

  • 級(きゅう): kyū — the grades below 段(だん); these count downward toward 一級(いっきゅう)
  • 二段(にだん): second dan — the next rank up
  • 黒帯(くろおび): black belt — worn from 初段(しょだん) in many martial arts

Related Words

Related: 級 (kyū)
Related: 黒帯(くろおび) (black belt)
general
Added 2026.5.26 11:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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