danranking

Danranking is a term used to describe a tiered assessment system used to gauge expertise in several traditions, most prominently East Asian martial arts and board games. In a dan-ranking system, practitioners progress through levels known as dans, typically starting after preliminary kyu ranks and culminating in high dan levels that signify advanced mastery. The exact number of dan grades and the criteria for promotion vary by discipline and organization, but promotions commonly depend on demonstrated skill, time practicing, and success in examinations or competitions. In many arts, the levels are denoted by numbers (e.g., first dan, second dan) and are often paired with separate belt or certificate color schemes.

In martial arts such as judo, karate, and taekwondo, dan ranks are usually conferred by a recognized governing body or the practitioner's school, sometimes requiring evaluation by senior instructors and sometimes competition results. In board games like go (weiqi) and shogi, dan promotions may be achieved through measured performance in official rating systems rather than belt-like objects. The concept has also been adopted by some online communities and competitive platforms to communicate skill level without a formal national or international federation.

Critically, dan ranks are not universally standardized; prestige and access to higher ranks can vary widely, and some critics warn that the system can incentivize certification over genuine mastery. Nevertheless, danranking remains a widely recognized shorthand for progression toward expertise in various disciplines.