Raymond Griswold is presented with his Kodokan Shodan or first degree black belt, by Janet Ashida, Instructor for the Brockport Judo Club of the Renshinkan Judo Dojo. Being awarded the Kodokan Shodan indicates that Griswold has mastered the basic techniques of Judo and has had several years of practice and can perform at least the nage-no-kata, the gokyo-no-waza and the grappling techniques. Judo ranks are obtained by earning points. Points are earned by competition or service to the sport. Jigarao Kano (the founder of Judo) started the modern rank system when he awarded shodan (first degree black belt) to two of his senior students (Saito and Tomita) in 1883.