Shihan (師範) is a Japanese term that is used in many Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors.
The use of the term is specific to a school or organization, as is the process of becoming a shihan.
In aikido, the title shihan often is granted to teachers when they reach 6th dan.
However, the title is distinct from the black belt ranking system (段位 dan'i).
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