To obtain a 9th Dan Shotokan Karate Black Belt, it usually takes a minimum of 5 years of continous training for a 8th Dan.
The Shotokan 9th Dan grade is the 19th level of a practitioner of this Martial Art.
Full guide on this Martial Arts style here: Shotokan Karate
For a guide to other ranks: Shotokan Karate belts
An 9th Dan Shotokan Black Belt in action
ShirÅ Asano 9th dan (born 29 October 1939) is Chairman and Chief Instructor of Shotokan Karate-do International of Great Britain, and the Shotokan Karate-do International European Federation.
He is the Chief Instructor of Shotokan Karate International (SKI) Great Britain and SKI European Federation.
To this day Asano Hanshi, 9th Dan, remains one of the highest graded Karate instructors in the world. He was one of the first Japanese Instructors to bring the art of Karate-do directly from the formidable Takushoku University in Tokyo, Japan to the United Kingdom. He was 2x all Japan Universities Champion and is renowned for his fighting prowess, superb timing, courageous spirit and remarkable array of techniques.
Asano Hanshi went to the UK in the 1960s to teach the art of Karate-do. He has coached England to World and European Championship Gold medals.