Yamanami-ryu Rank Progression and Rank Advancement is different than many martial arts systems.  We do not do formal testing for every rank like many modern martial arts schools.  Yamanami-ryu students are instead evaluated in class on a regular basis and when ready for a promotion are gifted said promotion.  Students are only tested in Yamanami-ryu at 5th Kyu Green Belt, 2nd Kyu Brown Belt and 1st Kyu Black Stripe.  All students test for Black Belt Ranks up to 5th Dan.

CHILDREN ONLY RANKS
1st Degree Black Belt - 3rd Degree Black Belt (Youth Black Belt)

KYU RANKS (Colored Belts)
9th Kyu - White Belt - Used for Younger Students or Where needed.
8th Kyu - White Belt , when using 9th kyu it would be White w/ Yellow Stripe
7th Kyu - Yellow Belt
6th Kyu - Green Stripe Belt
5th Kyu - Green Belt
4th Kyu - Blue Stripe Belt
3rd Kyu - Blue Belt
2nd Kyu - Brown Belt
1st Kyu - Black Stripe Belt

DAN RANKS (Black Belts)

1st Degree requires a total of 3 Years of Training
2nd Degree requires a total of 5 Years of Training
3rd Degree requires a total of 8 Years of Training
4th Degree requires a total of 12 Years of Training
5th Degree requires a total of 17 Years of Training
6th Degree requires a total of 22 Years of Trianing
7th Degree requires a total of 27 Years of Training
8th Degree requires a total of 32 Years of Training
9th Degree requires a total of 37 Years of Training

Teaching Licenses are issued at the discretion of the ryu after receiving a recommendation from ones instructor.

SHOGO (Teaching License)
Renshi - Must be a 3rd Dan or higher.
Shihan - Must be a 5th Dan or higher.
Kyoshi - Must be a 7th Dan or higher.
Hanshi - Must be a 9th Dan or higher.
Meijin - Issued purely at the discretion of the ryu and is based on a cumulative life study.