Author: Bret Gordon
One cannot escape the growing epidemic of Western practitioners using titles such as Master, Grand Master, etc. I've even seen some use the title Supreme Chief Grand Master. Of course, the irony does not escape me that martial arts is supposed to be about respect and humility, so where did these titles come from?
In the martial arts, title and position supersede rank. Your title designates what authority you hold in that particular organization or system, while rank denotes your actual progress. Let's take a look at traditional martial arts titles and their English translation, and then we'll explore the origins of our Napoleon complex and obsession with lofty titles (which of course we demand to be called by).
In the martial arts, title and position supersede rank. Your title designates what authority you hold in that particular organization or system, while rank denotes your actual progress. Let's take a look at traditional martial arts titles and their English translation, and then we'll explore the origins of our Napoleon complex and obsession with lofty titles (which of course we demand to be called by).
| Japanese Martial Arts Titles: Kohai - Junior Student Senpai - Senior Student Fuku Shidoin - Asst. Instructor Shidoin - Instructor Sensei - One Who Came Before Renshi - Polished Teacher Kyoshi - Teacher of Teachers Hanshi - Model Teacher Shihan - Teacher By Example Soke - Head of Family Soke Dai - Inheritor Kaiso - Founder/Patriarch Kaicho - Head of Organization Kancho - Chairman | Korean Martial Arts Titles: Hu Bae Nim - Junior Student Sun Bae Nim - Senior Student Kyo Sa Nim - Asst. Instructor Sah Bum Nim - Instructor Sah Boo Nim - Teaching Father Chung Sah Nim - Chief Instructor Kwan Jang Nim - Head of Organization Doju Nim - Founder | Chinese Martial Arts Titles: Sifu - Teaching Father Si Gung - Teaching Grandfather Simo - Teaching Mother Zongshi - Founder |
Looking at the above list of titles, there is NO title that directly translates as Master or even Grandmaster. These are Western bastardizations of titles to appease our egotistical nature, and have no basis in traditional martial arts. The latest trend is to also go by academic titles such as Professor, etc. Why? Have we really forgotten the values our instructors instilled in us as we were coming up through the ranks? When did being called Sensei, Sah Bum Nim, Sifu, etc. become not enough to stroke your ego? Martial arts instructors today really need to look in the mirror and ask themselves why they're teaching in the first place. Are you truly doing it for the students or is it because you need a cult-like following to compensate for other inadequacies in your life?
If you've been following my blog, you know that I'm normally not this abrasive. My goal is not to offend anyone, however if you are offended by this article, perhaps you're the one who needs to do some soul searching. In the meantime, since everyone is elevating themselves to superhuman status, just call me the "Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler" (bad "Honeymooners" reference).
In all seriousness, lofty titles have no place in Budo. Martial arts training is supposed to parallel a familial relationship, with the instructor representing the father/mother figure. This is reflected by the proper translation of titles as listed above. Reserve your lofty titles for official documents. It's perfectly acceptable to sign your name on official certificates, letters, etc. (i.e. Kyoshi John Doe, Kaicho of Random Martial Arts Association), since your title establishes what authority you hold in that particular system or organization. Your direct students should simply call you Teacher.
That being said, when other instructors voluntarily refer to you by a higher title it is a compliment and sign of respect. (i.e. Have you met Hanshi Joseph Smith? He's fantastic!) The problem only ensues when we call ourselves by higher title and demand others use them when addressing us directly. Another problem is where did these titles come from? Were they awarded by your instructor or governing body, or did you assume them yourself? There's an old saying in Japanese martial arts that I love. "You become a Shihan when other Shihan start referring to you as such."
Out of respect, if someone introduces themselves to me with a specific title that is how I will refer to them on the training floor. Off the training floor I'm going to call you by your first name. It's not because I don't respect you, it's just because I don't think anyone should be called Hanshi when they're ordering a cheeseburger. There's only one person I ever refer to by anything else when talking about him, and that's because of the great respect and gratitude I have for him and everything he has done for me. And when we're off the floor, I even use his first name when talking directly to him, and I expect the same from my students.
Aside from the inappropriate nature of using honorifics outside of a martial arts setting, there's a more practical reason as well. If I'm out with my students, and they're all calling me Sensei, people will take notice and because of the general ignorance of the public, someone is bound to make a challenge sooner or later. Thank you MMA! Not that we can't handle ourselves, but in the spirit of Budo it's best not to go looking for a fight.
As a whole, the Western martial arts community is overly obsessed with the superficial aspects of training and we tend to overlook why we train in and teach martial arts. Certifications, belt ranks, titles and licenses are all important and are great achievements. They are the rewards we receive for our blood, sweat, tears and broken bones over the years. They should never be the goal of your training. Budo translates as "the path to enlightenment through the study of combat." Martial arts is about becoming a better person than you were yesterday. It's about learning as much as you can, and sharing the information you have with others. Lofty titles are a sign of being content, with being completely satisfied with everything you've done and the mentality that people should automatically respect you for that. I don't know about you, but I will never be content. When I'm not physically training, I'm researching all that I can. With the abundance of information available, if you ever become content with what you know, were you ever really a true student? And if you want to gain my respect, lose the ego and get on the mat. Teach, share knowledge, exchange ideas. That's what it's all about.
If you've been following my blog, you know that I'm normally not this abrasive. My goal is not to offend anyone, however if you are offended by this article, perhaps you're the one who needs to do some soul searching. In the meantime, since everyone is elevating themselves to superhuman status, just call me the "Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler" (bad "Honeymooners" reference).
In all seriousness, lofty titles have no place in Budo. Martial arts training is supposed to parallel a familial relationship, with the instructor representing the father/mother figure. This is reflected by the proper translation of titles as listed above. Reserve your lofty titles for official documents. It's perfectly acceptable to sign your name on official certificates, letters, etc. (i.e. Kyoshi John Doe, Kaicho of Random Martial Arts Association), since your title establishes what authority you hold in that particular system or organization. Your direct students should simply call you Teacher.
That being said, when other instructors voluntarily refer to you by a higher title it is a compliment and sign of respect. (i.e. Have you met Hanshi Joseph Smith? He's fantastic!) The problem only ensues when we call ourselves by higher title and demand others use them when addressing us directly. Another problem is where did these titles come from? Were they awarded by your instructor or governing body, or did you assume them yourself? There's an old saying in Japanese martial arts that I love. "You become a Shihan when other Shihan start referring to you as such."
Out of respect, if someone introduces themselves to me with a specific title that is how I will refer to them on the training floor. Off the training floor I'm going to call you by your first name. It's not because I don't respect you, it's just because I don't think anyone should be called Hanshi when they're ordering a cheeseburger. There's only one person I ever refer to by anything else when talking about him, and that's because of the great respect and gratitude I have for him and everything he has done for me. And when we're off the floor, I even use his first name when talking directly to him, and I expect the same from my students.
Aside from the inappropriate nature of using honorifics outside of a martial arts setting, there's a more practical reason as well. If I'm out with my students, and they're all calling me Sensei, people will take notice and because of the general ignorance of the public, someone is bound to make a challenge sooner or later. Thank you MMA! Not that we can't handle ourselves, but in the spirit of Budo it's best not to go looking for a fight.
As a whole, the Western martial arts community is overly obsessed with the superficial aspects of training and we tend to overlook why we train in and teach martial arts. Certifications, belt ranks, titles and licenses are all important and are great achievements. They are the rewards we receive for our blood, sweat, tears and broken bones over the years. They should never be the goal of your training. Budo translates as "the path to enlightenment through the study of combat." Martial arts is about becoming a better person than you were yesterday. It's about learning as much as you can, and sharing the information you have with others. Lofty titles are a sign of being content, with being completely satisfied with everything you've done and the mentality that people should automatically respect you for that. I don't know about you, but I will never be content. When I'm not physically training, I'm researching all that I can. With the abundance of information available, if you ever become content with what you know, were you ever really a true student? And if you want to gain my respect, lose the ego and get on the mat. Teach, share knowledge, exchange ideas. That's what it's all about.
