初段 (Shodan)

I’ve been practicing iaidō for a little over two years, going to classes more or less once a week during that time. This past weekend, I had my first rank test for at my dōjō. I tested for shodan, and I passed!

Shodan means “entry” or “beginner”. In many ranked schools in Japan, the first rank is called “shodan” because the first character 初 in the word means “first” or “beginning.” My school uses a simplified ranking system of shodan (beginner, entry), chūden (intermediate, middle), and okuden (advanced, secret).