Kyu

Kyū, written in kanji as 級, is a Japanese term meaning class or grade. In many traditional Japanese activities it denotes a level below the advanced dan ranks. The exact number of kyū levels and their meanings vary by discipline and organization, but the general idea is that lower kyū numbers indicate closer proximity to the first kyū, after which dan ranks begin.

In martial arts such as judo, karate, kendo, aikido, and jiu-jitsu, practitioners typically begin at a higher-numbered kyū and progress toward 1-kyū before earning their first dan (shodan). Belt colors, stripes, or other insignia usually accompany each kyū level, with the specific scheme determined by the school or federation. Common sequences run from 10th or 9th kyū up to 1st kyū, then onward to dan ranks. The term kyū is often romanized as kyu, and the use of macrons in formal texts indicates the long vowel in kyū.

In board games and mind sports such as Go and Shogi, kyū ranks mark beginners to intermediate players before dan ranks are reached. Players are typically assigned an initial kyū level (for example, 30-kyū in some organizations) and work upward toward 1-kyū before entering dan competition.

Outside formal clubs, kyū can denote graded skill levels in other activities, such as calligraphy or musical training, depending on local tradition. Across contexts, kyū provides a hierarchical pathway from beginner toward higher proficiency, culminating in the dan ranks.