Japan Sumó Federation (JSF) Rank Judging
Standards
Article I The judging of sumó ranks shall be carried out concerning the following items.
(1) The character of the person being judged
(2) Physical strength and skill at sumó as well as actual record
(3) Meritorious service with regard to sumó
(4) Ability and actual record regarding coaching sumó
(5) Ability and actual record regarding refereeing sumó
(6) The degree of knowledge and understanding of sumó
(7) Other achievements concerning sumó
Article 2 Persons who have studied the fundamentals of sumó for half a year or more and have the ability to compete can be regarded as having the first rank (shodan).
Article 3 Persons who have studied the fundamentals of sumó for one year or more are able to be regarded as having the second rank (nidan) after six months or more have passed since they were approved for the first rank(shodan).
Article 4 Persons who study the fundamentals of sumó are able to be regarded as having the third rank (sandan) after one year or more has passed since they were approved for the second rank (nidan).
Article 5 Persons who have the ability to coach sumó are able to be regarded as having the fourth rank (yondan)after one year or more has passed since they were approved for the third rank (sandan).
Article 6 Persons who have contributed to the diffusion
and development of amateur sumó are able to be regarded as having the fifth rank (godan) after two years or more have passed since they were approved for the fourth rank(yondan).
Article 7 Persons who have rendered services to the diffusion and development of amateur sumó, and whose services have been outstanding, are able to be regarded as having the sixth rank (rokudan) after five years or more have passed since they were approved for the fifth
rank (godan).
Article 8 Persons who have rendered services to the diffusion and development of amateur sumó, and whose services have been especially outstanding, are able to be regarded as having the seventh rank (nanadan) after ten years or more have passed since they were approved for the sixth rank (rokudan).
Article 9 Persons who have rendered services to the diffusion and development of amateur sumó, and whose services have been especially outstanding, are able to be regarded as having the eighth rank (hachidan) after ten years or more have passed since they were approved for the seventh rank (nanadan).
Article 10 Persons who have left behind especially outstanding service to the development of sumó and are examples to the world of amateur sumó for their abundant character and knowledge can be regarded as having the ninth rank (kyúdan).
Article 11 Persons of noble virtue and great discernment who are particularly suitable to be regarded as symbols of the amateur sumó world can be regarded as having the tenth rank (júdan).
Article 12 In principle, promotions in rank shall be in order.
Article 13 Persons who especially assist in the development of the Federation after being approved for a rank can be approved for a higher rank even if they are the holder of an honorary rank.
Article 14 Persons who are about to apply for the rank of six (rokudan) or above must have reached the following minimum ages.
sixth rank (rokudan) thirty years
seventh rank (nanadan) forty years
eighth rank (hachidan) fifty years
Article 15 Besides what is stipulated by these standards,matters that are necessary for judging a rank shall be stipulated by the Japan Sumó Federation Rank Judging Committee.
Supplementary Provisions
These standards shall take effect from July 9, 1961.
These standards shall take effect from April 1, 1967.
These standards shall take effect from April 7, 1977.
These standards shall take effect from April 8, 1984.
These standards shall take effect from April 8, 1989.
These standards shall take effect from April 1, 1991.
These standards shall take effect from November 28, 1992
JAPAN SUMÓ FEDERATION (AN INCORPORATED FOUNDATION)RANK JUDGING STANDARDS SUPPLEMENTARY RULES
Article 1 The top three individual prize winners in a prefectural tournament for junior high school students can be regarded as having the first rank (shodan).
Article 2 The members of the teams that come in first and second in a prefectural tournament for junior high school students can be regarded as having the first rank (shodan).
Article 3 The top three individual prize winners in a national tournament for junior high school students can be regarded as having the second rank (nidan).
Article 4 Senior high school students who participate in the Inter High Tournament can be regarded as having the first rank (shodan).
Article 5 Senior high school students who participate in the National Athletic Meet can be regarded as having the second rank (nidan).
Article 6 Persons who finish among the top three individual prize winners in a block tournament for high school students twice, or more, can be regarded as having the second rank (nidan).
Article 7 Senior high school students who are individual champions of the Inter High or the National Athletic Meet can be regarded as having the third rank (sandan).
Article 8 Persons who win the individual championship two or more times in a national all-star tournament for high school students can be regarded as having the third rank (sandan).
Article 9 Persons who finish among the top three individual prize winners two or more times in the National Athletic Meet, or in an Inter High Tournament can be regarded as having the third rank (sandan).
Article 10 persons who finish among the top three individual prize winners three times or more in a national all-star tournament for high school students can be regarded as having the third rank (sandan).
Article 11 Persons who win the All-Japan Sumó Championship Tournament or is a university student grand champion (yokozuna) can be regarded as having the fifth rank (godan).
Article 12 Persons who finish among the top three individual prize winners five times or more in the national all-star tournament for university students can be regarded as having the fifth rank (godan).
Supplementary Provisions
These supplementary rules shall take effect from April 8,1989.
These supplementary rules shall take effect from April I,1991.
