What is 9 dan?

9 dan is the highest achievable rank in many Japanese martial arts, including Go, Judo, Karate, Kendo, and Aikido. It signifies mastery of the art and is only awarded to those who have demonstrated a lifetime of dedication and exceptional skill.

In Go, being a 9 dan is often referred to as the "Meijin" rank and is held by only a handful of players worldwide. In Judo, there are currently only 16 living 9 dan holders out of more than 20 million judokas worldwide. In Karate, there are only a handful of 9 dan holders, including Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate.

In order to achieve a 9 dan rank, one must typically have been training for at least 50 years and have made significant contributions to the art form. It is often referred to as the "ultimate" goal for serious martial artists, but many recognize that the journey towards mastery is one that never truly ends.