1dan

1-dan, often written as 1-dan or shodan in Japanese, is the first degree in many dan-ranking systems used across East Asian martial arts and board games. The term dan means level or grade, and 1-dan marks the initial step above beginner or kyu ranks. The exact responsibilities, requirements, and status of 1-dan vary by discipline and organization, but the common idea is formal recognition of a certain level of competence and experience.

In board games such as Go and Shogi, dan ranks express increasing strength. Players progress from introductory kyu ranks to dan ranks, with 1-dan representing the first level of acknowledged skill above the kyu system. Higher dan numbers indicate greater proficiency, and promotions are typically earned through performance in rated games, competitions, and ranking assessments. In these games, both amateur and professional tracks may use the same dan terminology, but professional organizations often have separate criteria and title structures.

In martial arts, 1-dan is usually equivalent to the first black belt, known in Japanese as shodan. Achieving 1-dan signifies a basic level of competence in technique, form, and sometimes sparring, earned after a period of training and examination. Promotion criteria differ widely by style, school, and governing bodies, but the rank commonly follows colored-belt progress and precedes higher dan ranks such as nidan (2-dan) and sandan (3-dan).

Overall, 1-dan serves as a standardized initiation point into formal dan ranks, signaling a transition from beginner status to recognized intermediate proficiency in its respective field.