Japanese Martial Arts Titles
From MartialTalk Online Martial Arts Encyclopedia Project
Japanese martial arts titles are the Japanese titles used to refer to teachers of martial arts such as karate or judo. These terms are used not only in Japan but also by students of martial arts in other countries.
Contents |
Linguistic Background
In Japan, it is more common to append the title to the end of a name, rather than the front. Using a Japanese title in front of a name is linguistically incorrect. It is also very uncommon (and considered a bit pompous) to hear a person refer to themselves by their upper-level titles.
Martial Background
It is important to note that titlery in Martial Arts is very often completely arbitrary. Outside of individual styles, there is no central standardizing body for martial arts titles, and the titles may be interchanged or mixed, particuarly as the style spreads and assumes interpreted forms.
Often, titles are conferred based on skill, attained teaching license, or tenure within an organization. Most titles are identified as linked to certain ranks within a style. However they are also tightly linked to responsibility and role within that organization as well. Senior members and higher-ranked individuals are responsible for the hierarchy of those below them, typically in an instructional or guidance capacity.
Students in Japanese martial arts will usually start out being called kohai, or junior student. As they progress into a more senior role in the organization they will transition into sempai, or senior student. Typically, at this level, senior students are responible for much of the coordination and operation of the dojo and classes. Some styles also have deshi, or apprentices. This may be a totally separate system or a subdivision of sempai that indicates a live-in student.
Sensei
After sempai, there are many different directions martial styles go. The most common, by far is the use of the term sensei. sensei means teacher or more specifically "one who has come before". As such, in Japanese society, it can be applied to anyone who teaches anything or to an elderly person as a sign of respect. Senior instructors within the martial arts are also commonly referred to as Shishō 師匠 or Shihan 師範 but these titles are often organizational and may or may not be used as a term of address in place of sensei.
Other ranks
Various styles of martial art use various titles for some of the more senior teachers or instructors within the style. Additionally, senior members may be ranked according to the teaching license or certification level they have attained.
The following explanations assume that judan (10th degree black belt) is the top rank within a style, and these are loosely defined.
Renshi often refers to an advanced instructor. Renshi means "teacher" or "one who has mastered himself." In many styles, it is awarded around the 5th godan 五段 or 6th degree rokudan 六段 black belt level.
Kyoshi refers to a master instructor. It is the second formal teaching rank. This title is usually awarded to one who has achieved a rank of 7th or 8th degree black belt nanadan 七段 or hachidan 八段. Kyoshi are typically regarded as those who have distinguished himself as an expert teachers or instructors.
Hanshi or sometimes Shihan refers to the senior instructor of instructors. This title is usually conferred at the 9th (kudan) or 10th dan (judan) ranking, usually by the senior leader or leadership of the organization. This title is given to a senior instructor who has distinguished himself as a teacher of teachers.
Also of note is the title Soke (martial arts), not to be confused with the Old English title of "Soke".
