The black and white stone ceremony is performed when a black belt panel is formed. A black stone is given when the panel member believes the candidate has performed to the back belt standard for promotion. A white stone is given when the panel member believes the student has not met the required level of proficiency.  The balck stone represents Yudansha membership while the white stone represents Kyudansha membership. This is a secret vote. This enables the panel member the freedom to vote their personal belief without pressure from other panel members or from public condemnation for their opinion.