First dan
The first dan (단, dan) rank in kumdo. It is taken after 1st geup (1급) and opens the dan scale, which in Korea runs from first to ninth dan.
How to say it
- Korean
- 초단chodan
- Spanish
- Primer dan
- English
- First dan
- Japanese
- 初段しょだんshodan
Chodan (초단, "first dan") is the first rung of the dan (단) scale in kumdo. Korean kumdo expresses a practitioner's level with dan and geup (급). Under the rules of the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회, Daehan Geomdohoe), dan run from chodan to 9th dan, and the grades below dan run from 9th to 1st geup.
- Eligibility: the promotion rules require 1st geup (1급) and at least second year of middle school. Korean Wikipedia adds at least three months after 1st geup and a minimum age of 14 in Korea.
- Panel: the chodan examination panel is made up of three examiners of 6th dan or higher.
- Subjects: one source lists the practical test (yeongyeok 연격, chained strikes, and mutual practice), the geomdoui bon (검도의 본) and a written theory test. It also lists bongukgeombeop (본국검법).
- Afterwards: a candidate for 2nd dan must have held chodan for at least one year.
There is also a juvenile sonyeon chodan (소년 초단) for younger practitioners. It converts to chodan at age 13.
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