Understanding Your Dan Certificate

Explaining Karate’s Shodan Diploma

First, three points:

• The Japanese write in columns, reading top to bottom and right to left. 

• The following explanation relates to the format used by the ISKF – International Shotokan Karate Federation.  The format used by other reputable organizations looks similar, and contain much of the same essential information.

• The diploma has both Japanese (kanji) and English text – Kanji on the top (chart portion), with English on the bottom (text portion).

  ISKF Shodan Diploma - Explanation

The Seals:  In addition to the official Shotokan tiger symbol at the center-top, there are two (2) red stamps on the chart portion of the diploma, one toward the top right – the organization’s (ISKF) stamp, and the other toward the bottom left – the personal seal of the ISKF chairperson and chief instructor.  See End Note. 

The Kangi: Beginning from the right side, there are five (5) columns:

The first column is a label or title, meaning diploma. The kanji, 証, means sho, itself meaning proof - this is the first part of the word shomeisho, meaning certificate, or diploma.

The second column contains four words. The first, 貴殿, translates as kiden, meaning “you”. This is a compound word with the first kanji, 貴, translated as ki, meaning precious.  The second, 殿 translates as dono, similar to the salutation, Mr., but it is not gender specific. The next, 審査, translates as shin-sa, which means examination, this is followed by の, translated, no, which indicates possession. Finally, 結果 translates as kekka, which means result.  All this collectively translates as meaning something like “Mr/Mrs/Miss has successfully qualified for”, the level recorded in the third, middle, column.

The third column, for the illustration here, means Shodan.  初, translates as sho, meaning first, as in the first dan rank. This is followed by 段, meaning dan.  に translates, ni, indicating that a person or thing is "in”, ‘at”, or “on" a certain level.  列, translates as, retsu, meaning line or column, and the final kanji, す, translates as sura, meaning even.  Taken together all these kanji may be interpretated as lining up, even, or belonging with, the Shodan rank.  

Column four is the kanji meaning “International Shotokan Karate Federation” - ISKF.  Readers may recognize the specific kanji for karate-do - 空手道.

The fifth column represents the title of the official representing the organizing body that is issuing the diploma.  The title, 師範 首席, has two components, 首席, Shuseki, meaning chief, but reserved for a head of a large organisation, and 師範, Shihan, meaning master instructor.  Thus, Master and Chief Instructor.  The final kanji, written  below the title is the name of the official representing the organization, translating in this case as Okazaki Hiroyoshi – with the forename first, Hiroyoshi Okazaki.

The bottom portion of the diploma is in English, or in the language of the country or jurisdiction to which the recipient belongs. This section includes a reiteration of the recipient’s achievement “in the study of karate-do”, as well as a statement of the organization’s expectation that the recipient will “continually strive for perfection of skill and character according to the principles of Master Gichin Funakoshi”, a clear reference to Funakoshi’s Niju Kun, and to the Dojo Kun. 

End Note: Some organizations, or situations, incorporate more seals; for example, for the signatures when different individuals occupy different official functions.  In addition, the Japan Karate Shoto Renmei – JKS, includes and interesting, though perhaps a bit elaborate, “authentication” protocol.  A special stamp is located toward the top right of their certificate (above the kanji representing the registration number),  “half the stamp is on the certificate and the remaining part of the stamp is in the JKS records. If you put the certificate next to the record, they make a complete stamp and this verifies that the certificate is authentic”.  

1 Shelby Shotokan Karate Club, “The JKS Karate Certificates Explained”, September 5, 2015,
   https://selbyshotokankarateclub.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-jks-karate-certificates-explained.html?m=1 

Barry Rodgers, October 31, 2023