DJ SHODAN — 初段

001

THE DISCIPLINE

規律 — Kiritsu

In martial arts, Shodan — the first degree black belt — is not the end of training. It is the beginning of mastery. The same principle applies here.

A SHODAN-level DJ is able to pull of a great 45 minute live set with 30 vinyl records from his crate, but the records are chosen randomly 5 minutes before the set. Demonstrating such skill means you're able to "save another DJ's life" as a last minute replacement. The guests shouldn't notice the performance wasn't planned. The set won't be perfect — but it should still be very good.

Once the DJ achieves Shodan level he or she can continue training even if many years have passed since. Moving further to earn the next "dan" will broaden DJ's music horizons and sharpen mixing skills, regardless if the rank is obtained or not. It is about the journey, not rewards. Tasks get progressively harder across 7 ranks — from playing someone else's records to performing a flawless set with vinyl you've never heard before, brought by strangers.

002

THE 7 RANKS

段位 — Dan'i

Each rank must be earned in order. You cannot skip ranks. Difficulty escalates from familiar discomfort to total unknown.

SHODAN — THE REPLACEMENT

初段 — First Degree

The DJ can jump in to replace another DJ for 45 minutes with 30 random records from his own collection. With only 5 minutes to prepare, the DJ must deliver a set that feels seamless — as if it was planned all along. At least 25 of the 30 records must be played.

RECORDS

30 RANDOM

MIN PLAYED

SET LENGTH

45:00 – 45:59

PREP TIME

5 MIN

NIDAN — THE FOREIGN CRATE

二段 — Second Degree

The DJ plays a random set of records that aren't his own but fit the DJ's preferred genre. A DJ from another crew brings their records, and the main DJ must play them as if they were his own.

SOURCE

ANOTHER DJ'S CRATE

GENRE

DJ'S OWN GENRE

SET LENGTH

45:00 – 45:59

CHALLENGE

UNKNOWN TRACKS

SANDAN — THE GENRE SHIFT

三段 — Third Degree

The DJ plays a random set of records from a genre they are not familiar with. The genre is announced in advance, giving the DJ time to study the music — but the specific records are still unknown.

GENRE

UNFAMILIAR

NOTICE

ANNOUNCED

RECORDS

UNKNOWN

PREP

STUDY TIME

YONDAN — THE FUSION

四段 — Fourth Degree

The DJ plays two random genres together in the same set — each genre gets 15 minutes. Think drum & bass + hip hop, techno + dubstep, or other halved-BPM pairings.

GENRES

2 RANDOM

EACH GENRE

15 MIN

PAIRING

HALVED BPM

SET LENGTH

30 MIN

GODAN — THE MARATHON

五段 — Fifth Degree

The DJ starts at 80 BPM and must end at 180 BPM over a 1-hour set using their own vinyl. The final genre is drum & bass. Each genre block contains 3–5 tracks.

BPM RANGE

80 → 180

SET LENGTH

60 MIN

FINAL GENRE

DRUM & BASS

VINYL

DJ'S OWN

ROKUDAN — THE CURATED UNKNOWN

六段 — Sixth Degree

Same as Nidan, but with all styles of music. The DJ plays records they've never heard before, but another DJ has chosen them so the records should fit together.

RECORDS

NEVER HEARD

CURATION

DJ-SELECTED

GENRES

ALL STYLES

GUARANTEE

SHOULD FIT

SHICHIDAN — THE TOTAL UNKNOWN

七段 — Seventh Degree — Highest Rank

The ultimate test. The DJ receives 50 records they have never heard before — brought by guests of the event, making them truly random. With only 10 minutes to prepare, the DJ must deliver a 60-minute set at a quality level as if it was prepared in advance with their own records. A minimum of 30 records must be played.

RECORDS

50 FROM GUESTS

MIN PLAYED

SET LENGTH

60 MIN

PREP TIME

10 MIN

先生

DJ SENSEI

Each successful Rank 7 attempt earns a prestige rank — 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and so on. The DJ with the highest number of completed Rank 7 sets holds the title DJ Sensei.

003

UNIVERSAL RULES

規則 — Kisoku

Every set must have basic structure — a start with lower energy, a build, and an ending that brings the energy back down. This is non-negotiable at every rank.

Ranks must be earned in sequence. There is no skipping. A DJ at Rank 3 cannot attempt Rank 5. The discipline is the path itself.

The audience is the ultimate judge. If the guests don't notice the performance wasn't planned — the DJ has passed.

004

QUERIES

質問 — Shitsumon

WHY IS IT VINYL ONLY? NOBODY PLAYS VINYL SETS ANYMORE

Because true mastery of DJing remains reserved for those who can determine BPM, Key and Energy level by listening to a track for a few seconds without any visual cues. If you don't own vinyl, find someone who does. To pass Shodan you need at least 100 tracks from which 30 will be randomly selected..

WHO JUDGES WHETHER A DJ PASSED?

The audience and fellow DJs. If the crowd didn't notice anything was off, that's a pass.

HOW DO I ENTER AS A DJ?

By invitation or application. You need to demonstrate your baseline skill level before stepping into a SHODAN challenge.

WHAT ABOUT GUESTS AT RANK 7?

At Rank 7, every guest contributes vinyl to the crate. These records are truly random — the DJ has never heard them.

CAN A DJ LOSE THEIR RANK?

Ranks are earned permanently. But the Sensei title is always up for grabs — it belongs to whoever has the most successful Rank 7 performances.

DO I GET MY VINYL BACK AT RANK 7 EVENTS?

Yes and No. Your vinyl should enter the communal crate if played for SHICHIDAN rank. Think of it as a sacrifice to the dancefloor. If it isn't selected to be played by the DJ, you'll get it back.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CRATE AFTER THE EVENT?

The crate carries over to the next event, growing with each edition. A living archive of every guest who walked through the door.