船越義珍
SKA uses the ranking system originally introduced by Gichin Funakoshi, with eight "kyu" ranks, and five "dan" ranks. Contrary to many other karate organizations, there are no ranks above "godan" (5th "dan"), which Tsutomu Ohshima was awarded by Funakoshi in 1957. The "godan" rank is the highest rank ever awarded by Gichin Funakoshi. In SKA it is attainable by talented individuals with several decades of dedicated practice and teaching.