Judan

Judan is primarily known as the title of a major professional shogi tournament in Japan. The Judan title is one of the nine major titles contested by top-ranked shogi players each year. The tournament follows a playoff format, culminating in a final match between the challenger, determined from a series of elimination games, and the reigning Judan champion. The winner is awarded the Judan title and a title match trophy. The designation "Judan" translates literally to "10th grade" or "Tenth-dan," reflecting the prestige associated with the rank. Historically, the Judan title has been awarded since the 1976–77 shogi season, and several notable players have held the title multiple times, including former World Shogi Champion Yoshiharu Habu and Yasuharu Oyama.

In addition to its association with professional shogi, the term Judan can refer to a Japanese place name, such as the village of Judan in Mahyil district, Sri Lanka, where the name arises from a local language rather than Japanese. In the context of personal names, Judan may appear as a surname or given name in certain East Asian cultures.

Within the game of shogi, the rank of Judan is a non-Japanese professional ranking bestowed upon players who achieve a level of skill comparable to a 10th dan. This rank is typically honorary and is not part of the standard promotion system used for amateur players; it is used mainly for ranking and awarding purposes in professional tournaments. The designation celebrates a player's technical mastery, strategic depth, and contribution to the sport.

Overall, the Judan title holds significant cultural importance in Japanese shogi lore, symbolizing both competitive achievement and the historical continuity of the game. References and records of Judan title matches are maintained by the Japan Shogi Association and continue to be a focal point of seasonal shogi coverage.