Acudo ryu titles
According to the 2014 WAA annual meeting it were decided to implement the full vocabulary of martial arts titles. The use of the titles have to be used in official correspondance, but in the dojo according to internal policy. WAA selected japanese titles due to increased understanding.
Martial arts titlesThis types of titles have nothing to do with the rank a person holds. WAA will offer this ranks to persons that have fulfilled the proper requierments. Normally these titles are not given below a given rank, but they are not given automatically with rank. Only ranks issued directly from WAA is valid. All titles is awarded written from WAA on the dan certificate or on a separate certificate.
Sensei
Sensei is a japanese word that translates as “person born before another” or “He who has gone before”. The name i normally used to indicate “teacher”. WAA offers the title to selected Acudo ryu instructors with minimum 2 dan.
Shihan-dai
Shihan-dai is given to persons that is regarded to be a low ranked acudo master. This is the lowest title for a master in the WAA system. WAA offers the title to selected Acudo ryu masters with minimum 3 dan.
Shihan
Shihan is given as a Acudo master title. This indicates full mastery of all basic and advanced knowlege in Acudo ryu. WAA offers the title to selected Acudo ryu masters with minimum 4 dan..
Renshi
Renshi is given as a Supreme Acudo master title. It means something like “Polished Expert”. WAA offers the title to selected Acudo masters with minimum of 5. dan.
Kyoshi
Kyoshi is given as a Grand Master title in Acudo ryu. It means something like “High Wizard” or “Master of Masters”. WAA offers the title to selected Acudo masters with minimum of 7. dan.
Hanshi
Hanshi is given as a Supreme Grand Master title in Acudo ryu. WAA offers the title to selected Acudo masters with minimum of 8 dan. The Soke of Acudo ryu will also be Hanshi, but others might also have the very same title. WAA will also use Hanshi as an honorary title for active Acudo ryu masters being over 65 years of age.
Soke
Soke is the title indicating the Head of Acudo ryu. There is only one Soke. This title is not awarded by WAA, but inherited. The Soke of Acudo ryu are the highest authority for the style. Soke is the title, but not the rank. A person might be the Soke of Acudo ryu, and only have 5. dan in Acudo ryu. The Soke is considered beyond the rank system. The Soke can if he wants award any rank to anyone.
Shodai-Soke
Shodai-Soke is the title that describe the founder of Acudo ryu. The Shodai-Soke title can not be given by the Soke to someone else. The title might be awarded to a future Soke by WAA; a Soke that have changed or done something very special with the style. After the Shodai-Sokes death, the new heir becomes the Soke; when the first Soke dies the new martial art is considered to be complete. The soke can if he wants give the title Shodai-Soke to another Acudo master; the lineage will the follow the other Acudo master and NOT the Soke. WAA want a tradition that the Soke give this title to his successor before his death or resignation.
World Acudo Association 