THE KODOKAN MEMBERSHIP CARD IS IT PROOF OF RANK?

I have had a few occasions where someone presented their Kodokan membership card as proof of their rank or even some sort of licensed credential. This is not true in any way shape or form. One should consider this card as nothing more than a gym membership like a YMCA card.

Today they are just not hard to get at all. Pretty much anyone who visits the Kodokan can purchase a Kodokan membership card it is only 55 dollars/8,000 yen. It is nothing more than a gym card like a YMCA card. It is NOT a club charter, organization charter or “license” or an endorsement of ANY kind.

The Kodokan membership card may have a rank on it that is usually earned through the Kodokan. If there is no rank it generally means the card was just merely purchased. The Kodokan membership cards are available to anyone who visits the Kodokan whether you are there to train or simply visiting on a tour. You can even purchase one by phone or email all you have to do is contact the Kodokan and inquire.  The cards can be purchased online and there is even a vending machine at the Kodokan one can get one from.

Is the card even proof of active membership with the Kodokan? Personally, an active membership implies that one trains at the Kodokan on some sort of regular basis be it every day, weekly, monthly, or even yearly.

Lastly, the Kodokan issues two different types of rank certificates…….. NOT CARDS. These certificates are awarded thru Japan's National Governing Body, not the Kodokan itself. The only way to check to see if someone is actually an instructor that is ranked by the Kodokan is through either of the three National governing bodies (here in the US) or contact the Kodokan in Japan.