The Bujinkan ranking system reflects a practitioner's development and cannot be separated from the broader training journey. Rank is shown by the patch (wappen), the belt (obi), and stars.

Kyu Grades (Student Levels)

Kyu grades run from 10th kyu (beginner) up to 1st kyu, and all wear the white patch. The 10th kyu wears a white belt; from 9th kyu onward the belt is green. Women traditionally wear a red belt instead of green; in most schools, women at kyu level may choose either red or green.

• 10th kyu (jū kyu) — white patch, white belt
• 9th kyu (kū kyu) — white patch, green belt
• 8th kyu (hachi kyu) — white patch, green belt, one silver star
• 7th kyu (nana kyu) — white patch, green belt, two silver stars
• 6th kyu (rokku kyu) — white patch, green belt, three silver stars
• 5th kyu (go kyu) — white patch, green belt, four silver stars
• 4th kyu (yon kyu) — white patch, green belt, one gold star
• 3rd kyu (san kyu) — white patch, green belt, two gold stars
• 2nd kyu (ni kyu) — white patch, green belt, three gold stars
• 1st kyu (ikkyu) — white patch, green belt, four gold stars

Dan Grades (Black Belt Levels)

Shidoshi-hō (1st–4th dan)

Assistant instructor. Black patch, black belt.

• 1st dan (shodan) — black patch, black belt
• 2nd dan (nidan) — black patch, black belt, one silver star
• 3rd dan (sandan) — black patch, black belt, two silver stars
• 4th dan (yondan) — black patch, black belt, three silver stars

Shidoshi (5th–9th dan)

Instructor. Black patch with a white border, black belt. The 5th dan (godan) is special: it marks the transition from Shidoshi-hō to Shidoshi, earned by passing the Sakki test — which may be administered by a Dai-Shihan appointed by Soke Hatsumi.

• 5th dan (godan) — black patch with white border, black belt
• 6th dan (rokkudan) — black patch with white border, black belt, one gold star
• 7th dan (nanadan) — black patch with white border, black belt, two gold stars
• 8th dan (hachidan) — black patch with white border, black belt, three gold stars
• 9th dan (kūdan) — black patch with white border, black belt, four gold stars

Shihan (10th–15th dan)

Master instructor. Green patch, black belt.

• 10th dan (jūdan) — green patch, black belt
• 11th dan (jūichidan) — green patch, black belt, one gold star
• 12th dan (jūnidan) — green patch, black belt, two gold stars
• 13th dan (jūsandan) — green patch, black belt, three gold stars
• 14th dan (jūyondan) — green patch, black belt, four gold stars
• 15th dan (jūgodan) — green patch, black belt, five gold stars

Distinctions at the 15th Dan

At the highest grade, a Shihan's standing carries further distinctions:

• 15th dan (jūgodan) with the Shin Gi Tai Ichi Bufu Ikkan Menkyo
• 15th dan — Yūshū Shihan ("distinguished master instructor")
• 15th dan — Dai-Shihan ("senior master instructor")

Soke

Soke is the Grandmaster and head of the school — gold patch, black belt. The Bujinkan's Soke is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th Grandmaster of the lineage.

Shin Gi Tai — Bufu Ikkan

As Soke Hatsumi has said, he awards this diploma only to his best and most loyal students. In the Bujinkan, it is given only to those practitioners who — in Budō and in life alike — have reached the highest level of development: Shin Gi Tai ("mind/spirit" – "body" – "technique"). To reach the Shin Gi Tai level means that the practitioner's mind and spirit, body, and actions have become one. Among martial artists this has long been regarded as the highest attainable level, and the greatest and most important achievement.

Membership

The annual membership fee paid to the Honbu Dojo in Japan has been discontinued; membership is now handled through the Dai-Shihan.