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Thread: The Rank of Shodan Ho

  1. #1
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    Default The Rank of Shodan Ho

    Does anybody know the kanji for "ho" as in the rank of shodan ho and what it literally means? In addition, anybody know the history of this rank? Does it come from judo like the rest of the kyu-dan ranking system?

    Thanks in advance.
    jd
    Jonathan Dirrenberger
    Stanford Jujitsu Club

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    "Ho" in the case of shodan-ho means depending on which group is using it, 'provisional', 'probationary', 'apprentice'.

    Like the usage of fuku shidoin and shidoin, it seems a more modern term. I don't recall ever seeing this ranking until the 1980's anywhere. But it seems pretty common now in karate, aikido, and some modern jujutsu. I don't believe judo uses it at all.

    I personally think it is used to placate egos in students who want a black belt but for whatever reason, are not old enough, mature enough, or talented enough, to fully meet yudansha requirements and need time to grow into the rank. Lots of students drop out as ikkyu (brown belt blues) since they seem to plateau for some reason. Maybe the shodan ho step gives them some more motivation and makes them feel like progress is being made.

    Or maybe it is just used as another testing step/way to keep students around for paying the rent as the cynic in me says.
    Last edited by Neil Yamamoto; 13th April 2009 at 21:28. Reason: spelling

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    I've heard of some groups who use the term to describe someone who has passed the shodan test but is waiting for the official documentation to be processed.
    And just to add to the confusion, some groups also have the rank of "jun-dan" (jun being "sub-" or "pre-") to describe what Neil described as shodan-ho.
    Andrew Smallacombe

    Aikido Kenshinkai

    JKA Tokorozawa

    Now trotting over a bridge near you!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew S View Post
    I've heard of some groups who use the term to describe someone who has passed the shodan test but is waiting for the official documentation to be processed.
    And just to add to the confusion, some groups also have the rank of "jun-dan" (jun being "sub-" or "pre-") to describe what Neil described as shodan-ho.
    Ahagon sensei of Shorin Ryu Reihokan uses the jun-dan rank.
    Tony Urena

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    Default Still looking for info ....

    Thanks everyone.

    However, does anybody know the kanji for it, or what it literally translates as? I can't seem to find it anywhere and am very curious where it came from .....

    Thanks again.
    jd
    Jonathan Dirrenberger
    Stanford Jujitsu Club

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    補 - means "to supplement, to fill in".
    Josh Reyer

    Swa sceal man don, žonne he ęt guše gengan ženceš longsumne lof, na ymb his lif cearaš. - The Beowulf Poet

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    Shodan ho is 初段補

    Ho is also used with another character 佐, making the compound 補佐 hosa, which is also used as a suffix, as in 道場長補佐 dojocho hosa: assistant head of the dojo.

    PAG

    EDIT: Expansion of Josh's post.
    Peter Goldsbury,
    Forum Administrator,
    Hiroshima, Japan

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    Quote Originally Posted by jodirren View Post
    Does anybody know the kanji for "ho" as in the rank of shodan ho...
    In case you need a larger font than in the previous posts...
    Yours in Budo,
    ---Brian---

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    Default Thanks!

    Thanks everyone. Very helpful.

    jd
    Jonathan Dirrenberger
    Stanford Jujitsu Club

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