Jū (十)

Jū (十) is the Japanese word for the number "Ten."

Martial Arts Context & Usage

In traditional Shotokan Karate and Japanese Budo, Jū is fundamental both for counting and for identifying specific rank, movement, and belt levels within the dojo hierarchy.

• Counting (Ichi to Jū): It is the final number in standard ten-count line drills (Kihon):

  • Ichi (1), Ni (2), San (3), Shi/Yon (4), Go (5), Roku (6), Shichi/Nana (7), Hachi (8), Kyū (9), Jū (10).

• Rank & Degrees (Dan Ranks):

  • Jū-Dan (十段): 10th Degree Black Belt, typically the highest master rank awarded in traditional karate systems.

  • Jū-Kyū (十級): 10th Kyū, often designating the introductory color-belt rank for beginners entering the system.

• Technique & Kata Names: Used to designate ten-count sequences or specific formal movements (e.g., Jū-ji meaning "cross" or "shape of 10," as in Jūji-uke / Cross Block).