Menkyo kaiden (免許皆伝:めんきょかいでん) is a Japanese term meaning "license of total transmission." It is a certificate that is granted by a school, ryū, or other organization meaning that the recipient has learned everything that the organization or school can teach, and is licensed to pass on all aspects of his training. A RyÅ« (æµ) is any school of a Japanese martial art. ...
In the older menkyo system of licenses and certificates that predates the more prevalent kyū/dan (dan-i) system of colored belts created by Jigoro Kano in the 19th century for Kodokanjudo, the menkyo kaiden is typically the highest level of license that exists, and the highest rank achievable under the menkyo system. A holder of a menkyo kaiden is often, but not always, the de facto successor to the sōke of the ryū. Some schools that use the dan-i system still retain the menkyo kaiden as a method of denoting a successor to the head of the school. KyÅ« (ç´:ãã ã) is a Japanese term used in martial arts, chadÅ, ikebana, go, shogi and in other similar activities to designate various degrees or levels of proficiency or experience. ... // Definition Dan rank is a Japanese mark of level, used in several cultural activities of Japanese origin. ... Dr. JigorÅ KanÅ (åç´ æ²»äºé KanÅ JigorÅ, 1860 in Kobe, Japan - 1938) is the founder of Judo. ... The Kodokan Institute is the headquarters of the Judo World. ... Judo ), meaning gentle way, is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budÅ) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... Soke is a Japanese title that means Headmaster (or sometimes translated as Grand Master or Head of the Family). It can mean one who is the leader of any school or the master of a style, but it is most commonly used as a highest level Japanese martial arts title...
In addition to the kyū/dan ranking system, a few select senior master practitioners have earned older menkyokaiden certificates of mastery in individual school lineages.
These menkyokaiden certificates essentially establish that the master practitioner has learned all that there is to learn about the particular lineage.
Whereas the kyū/dan ranks are often made public, those select practitioners who have earned menkyokaiden rarely divulge their status.
A menkyokaiden is a certificate of complete transmission, and it carries with it the authoritiy to award menkyokaiden as well.
After Oe awarded mutiple menkyokaiden, no one could agree as to who the head of the system was, and so the headship postition for intents and purposes ceased to exist.
Those receiveing menkyokaiden are expected to establish a dojo and continue the ryu's life, and perhaps even strengthen the number of people practicing, though the last bit is not a requirement by any means.