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This is an article on Buddhist rankings. For the artist, see Yamazaki Sōkan.
Sōkan (僧官) is the Japanese system of rankings for Buddhist clergy. There are three ranks comprising ten categories or levels, followed by a series of titles known collectively as sōi (僧位). Each of the three ranks is known by an abridged form; monks or priests are often referred to by their rank, rather than their specific title.
The first rank, sōjo, consists of three titles:
The second rank, sōzu, has four titles:
The third rank, risshi, contains three titles:
Those monks past the third rank could then earn the following titles, known as sōi: