Sensei

    In most Japanese-based martial art schools, the instructor is usually referred to as sensei.  The term sensei is a Japanese word that is most often translated as ‘teacher;’ however, there is nothing in the term sensei that suggests teaching.  In fact, a sensei is much more than just a teacher  (Johnson, 2004); and, one does not automatically become a sensei when one becomes a teacher (Johnson, Deshi, 2015).

    The term sensei (先生) is a compound word comprised of two characters.  The first character (先) has the Japanese kun reading of saki or mazu with a meaning of 'before;' and, the Japanese ON pronunciation is sen.  The second character (生) has many Japanese kun readings with the main meanings being ‘life, living, birth, being born, or a raw or primitive state’ (Goldsbury, N.D.); and, the Japanese ON pronunciation is sei.  Therefore, translated literally, sensei means ‘born earlier’ and as such denotes wisdom based on age and experience.  As Lovret (Lovret, Budo Jiten, 1993) states, the term sensei is more correctly “a title of respect for someone who is older and wiser” (p. 98). 

    This helps define what a sensei is, but what really determines what qualifies one to be a sensei?  In order to answer that question we need to look at the traditional standards set forth in Japan. “In the traditional Japanese martial arts, usually the minimum rank necessary to teach is sandan (3^rd degree black belt) with supervision or a yondan (4^th degree black belt) without supervision.  This is because “in most schools, sandan is the rank that separates junior yudansha (black belt) from senior yudansha” (Lovret, The Instructor's Bible, N.D., p. 2).  “This means that 1^st and 2^nd degree black belts are considered junior black belt grades.  And a junior black belt is a student, not a teacher” (Johnson, A Parent's Guide to the Martial Arts, 2004).  

    Unfortunately, most people, and many martial artists, believe that once you earn your black belt you are a qualified teacher.  The confusion lies in the misconception in the West that a black belt is an expert; however, earning a first-degree black belt only means that one has just begun to learn. In Japan, a first-degree black belt is called a shodan, which is translated as ‘first level.’  In a traditional school this indicates about three years of training; and, it is at this time that a person is considered to be a serious student.  Typically, it is at the black belt level that the student will have demonstrated a proficiency in the shoden, or ‘beginning teachings’ (Johnson, A Parent's Guide to the Martial Arts, 2004) and there is much more to learn.

    Basically, you should have an “absolute minimum of ten years of intensive training before you should even attempt to start teaching without supervision” (Lovret, The Instructor's Bible, N.D., p. 4).  And, “since it will take about 12 to 15 years to legitimately earn a yondan, the instructor should be around thirty years of age before attempting to teach.  However, some people mistakenly believe just because they have been training since they could walk, that all the years of training from age 4 to 14 or so, really count.  What these people fail to realize is that maturity of mind and body takes experience and time” (Johnson, A Parent's Guide to the Martial Arts, 2004).  In addition, "being a good fighter or martial arts practitioner does not automatically mean you can be a good teacher. Without a certain degree of experience in all areas of the martial arts, it is difficult to teach" (Kim, 1997, p. 37). 

    So the term sensei means ‘teacher’ but it implies much more.  It implies experience, age, and wisdom; and, all of these attributes are required.  However, these attributes do not even touch on the student-teacher relationship which adds even more depth to the art of instruction.  This is because “a sensei won't just be teaching people, he will be molding them, and his students won't merely be trying to learn what he knows, they will be trying to become exactly like him”  (Johnson, A Parent's Guide to the Martial Arts, 2004).  This is a huge responsibility and goes far beyond what is typically thought of as the responsibilities of a teacher.

Bibliography

Goldsbury, P. (N.D.). Sensei / Shihan as "Teacher" in Japanese. Retrieved September 26, 2015, from Aikiweb: http://www.aikiweb.com/language/goldsbury1.html

Johnson, T. (2004, January 1). A Parent's Guide to the Martial Arts. Retrieved 09 27, 2015, from Kyoshin Dojo: http://www.kyoshindojo.org/articles/parents_guide_to_the_martial_arts.pdf

Johnson, T. (2015, September 26). Deshi. Retrieved September 27, 2015, from Kyoshin Dojo: http://blog.kyoshindojo.org/2015/09/deshi.html

Kim, S. H. (1997). Teaching Martial Arts. Turtle Press.

Lovret, F. (1987). The Way and the Power. Boulder: Paladin Press.

Lovret, F. (1993). Budo Jiten ( 2nd ed ed.). San Diego: Taseki Publishing Company.

Lovret, F. (N.D.). The Instructor's Bible.