Teaching Title Meanings Karate

• Senpai – A Senior Student
• Dai Senpai – Assistant to Head Instructor
• Sensei – Generic Term for all Teachers (one who has come before)
• Renshi – Assistant Master
• Shihan – Teacher by example
• Kyoshi – Master Teacher – Teacher of Teachers
• Hanshi – Senior Master – Professor
• Soke – “Master of the House,” indicating the founder or headmaster of a ryuha
• Kancho Doshu – Way/Path Master
• Kaiso – Founder
• Kaicho – President of an Organization
• Kancho – Head of a School
• Meijin – Wiseman
• Soshi – Head Teacher or Master Teacher
• Soshu – Master of an Art
• Taiso – Great Master

What is a Senpai – Senpai is a Japanese term of respect. The term senpai is attached to the end of a teacher’s name at all times – not just in the dojo. Budo is a way of life, and respect for seniors continues into daily life in Japan, and, one would hope, this country as well. If you hear your sensei refer to an assistant teacher in the Dojo by his/her first name, it does not mean you should as well. That individual is the sensei’s student, but he/she is your senior, and should be addressed as senpai. Furthermore, because senpai is an honorific term, one must never refer to himself/herself as dai senpai, as this is seen as arrogant.

Senpai – min 12 months teaching

• Role of a Senpai is to assist on the floor whenever possible with collecting money at front desk, bow in, protocols, warm ups, teaching lower ranks, without being asked.
• To take on more of a senior role in the development of classes, implementation of material, research new material needed for growth ie weapons, applications for kata, history.
• To open up a club under your Sensei to help grow the school.
• Advise lower grades on matters relating to club etiquette

What is a Dai Senpai – Dai Senpai is a Japanese term of respect. The term dai senpai is attached to the end of a teacher’s name at all times – not just in the dojo. Budo is a way of life, and respect for seniors continues into daily life in Japan, and, one would hope, this country as well. If you hear your sensei refer to an assistant teacher in the Dojo by his/her first name, it does not mean you should as well. That individual is the dai senpai’s student, but he/she is your senior, and should be addressed as sensei. Furthermore, because dai senpai is an honorific term, one must never refer to himself/herself as dai senpai, as this is seen as arrogant.

Dai Senpai – min 2 years teaching as senpai

• Role Role of a Dai Senpai is to assist on the floor whenever possible with collecting money at front desk, bow in, protocols, warm ups, teaching lower ranks, without being asked.
• To take on more of a senior role in the development of classes, implementation of material, research new material needed for growth ie weapons, applications for kata, history.
• To open up a club under your Sensei to help grow the school.
• Take on senior role in teaching lower grades whether it be juniors or seniors at the Honbu.
• Advisor to Senpai’s and lower grades on matters relating to club etiquette.

What is a Sensei – Sensei is a Japanese term of respect. The term sensei is attached to the end of a teacher’s name at all times – not just in the dojo. Budo is a way of life, and respect for seniors continues into daily life in Japan, and, one would hope, this country as well. If you hear your sensei refer to an assistant teacher in the Dojo by his/her first name, it does not mean you should as well. That individual is the sensei’s student, but he/she is your senior, and should be addressed as sensei. Furthermore, because sensei is an honorific term, one must never refer to himself/herself as sensei, as this is seen as arrogant. A sensei therefore is someone who has been “born before” you in the system you are studying and is therefore senior to you and your teacher. A sensei can actually do what he teaches, he or she embodies the art, while a coach can teach you how to do something without necessarily being able to perform the skill him or herself. Traditionally the sensei was not expected to answer to his students for either his behavior or his teaching methods. His role was to create situations so that the student learned by experience; he was not expected to explain the intricate details of every technique-training was a thing of the heart, not of the mind. The methods used to educate members of the samurai class were especially demanding, as the purpose was to inculcate not only knowledge but also dignity and strength of character. Thus teachers were accorded a high level of respect. Fundamentally this is the function of a sensei-to create situations where the student arrives at understanding through his own experience. The sensei’s role is therefore vital and transcends the teaching of mere technique, which is actually the province of the coach.

Sensei –min 3 years teaching as dai senpai

• Role of a Sensei is to assist on the floor whenever possible, bow in, protocols, warm ups, teaching lower ranks, without being asked.
• To take on more of a senior role in the development of classes, implementation of material, research new material needed for growth ie weapons, applications for kata, history.
• To teach and manage the clubs under you.
• Take on senior role in teaching lower grades whether it be juniors or seniors at the honbu.
• Be a senior advisor to Dai Sempais in the direction of school, call gradings and set up and run grading day.
• Advisor to Dai Sempais on matters relating to club etiquette and protocols, discipline, and unite the clubs

What is a Renshi– The character “Ren” means “polished, tempered” and “shi” means “person”. Thus Renshi indicates a “polished instructor” or expert. Renshi is a Japanese term of respect . The term renshi is attached to the end of a teacher’s name at all times – not just in the dojo. Budo is a way of life, and respect for seniors continues into daily life in Japan, and, one would hope, this country as well. If you hear your renshi refer to an assistant teacher in the Dojo by his/her first name, it does not mean you should as well. That individual is the renshi’s student, but he/she is your senior, and should be addressed as renshi. Furthermore, because renshi is an honorific term, one must never refer to himself/herself as renshi, as this is seen as arrogant.In 1934 the Butokukai introduced a third title “Renshi”. One who has mastered himself, therefore is someone who is a well trained skilled expert, a lower master. A Renshi can actually do what he teaches, he or she embodies the art, while a coach can teach you how to do something without necessarily being able to perform the skill him or herself. Traditionally the renshi was not expected to answer to his students for either his behavior or his teaching methods. His role was to create situations so that the student learned by experience; he was not expected to explain the intricate details of every technique-training was a thing of the heart, not of the mind. The methods used to educate members of the samurai class were especially demanding, as the purpose was to inculcate not only knowledge but also dignity and strength of character. Thus teachers were accorded a high level of respect.Fundamentally this is the function of a Renshi-to be a database of knowledge he must uphold the right moral and spiritual example for all students to follow.

Renshi – min 4 years teaching as sensei

• Role Role of a Renshi is to assist on the floor whenever possible, bow in, protocols, warm ups, teaching lower ranks, without being asked.
• To take on more of a senior role in the development of classes, implementation of material, research new material needed for growth ie weapons, applications for kata, history.
• To teach and manage the clubs under you.
• To develop & manage a specific area of the honbu.
• Take on senior role in teaching lower grades whether it be juniors or seniors at the honbu.
• Be a senior advisor to Sensei’s in the direction of school, call gradings and set up and run grading day.
• Be a senior council to head of school on matters of direction, problems, protocols, research,
• Advisor to Sensei’s on matters of their behavior and attitude, discipline, unite the clubs and play a part in the expansion of the club

What is a Shihan – Shihan is a Japanese term, often used in Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors. The term is frequently used interchangeably with English terms such as “master instructor”. The term Shihan is attached to the end of a teacher’s name at all times – not just in the dojo. Budo is a way of life, and respect for seniors continues into daily life in Japan, and, one would hope, this country as well. If you hear your renshi refer to an assistant teacher in the Dojo by his/her first name, it does not mean you should as well. That individual is the renshi’s student, but he/she is your senior, and should be addressed as Shihan. Furthermore, because Shihan is an honorific term, one must never refer to himself/herself as Shihan, as this is seen as arrogant.

Shihan – min 5 years teaching as renshi

• Role Role of a Shihan is to assist on the floor whenever possible, bow in, protocols, warm ups, teaching lower ranks, without being asked.
• To take on more of a senior role in the development of classes, implementation of material, research new material needed for growth ie weapons, applications for kata, history.
• To teach and manage the clubs under you.
• To develop & manage a specific area of the honbu.
• Take on senior role in teaching lower grades whether it be juniors or seniors at the honbu.
• Be a senior advisor to Renshi’s in the direction of school, call gradings and set up and run grading day.
• Be a senior council to head of school on matters of direction, problems, protocols, research,
• Advisor to Renshi’s on matters of their behavior and attitude, discipline, unite the clubs and play a part in the expansion of the club

What is a Kyoshi – The “Kyu” in Kyoshi means “professor” or philosopher”. The term  Kyoshi equals a “professor” capable of teaching the philosophy of the martial arts. This title might be bestowed upon you when you are a Sixth, Seventh of Eighth Degree Black Belt, are an accomplished teacher, and have practiced for at least 25-30 years. A Kyoshi is a “Renshi’s Sensei,” meaning that an instructor who has reached the level of Kyoshi is of rank to instruct students up to the level of Third, Fourth, and Fifth Degree Black Belts. Practitioners who have achieved the levels of Sixth Degree, Seventh Degree, and Eighth Degree Black Belt have earned the honorific title of Kyoshi (key-oh-shee)

The term Kyoshi is attached to the end of a teacher’s name at all times – not just in the dojo, requires the recipient to have outstanding knowledge of the traditions and methods of Budo. Demonstrated excellence of technique and teaching methods. Budo is a way of life, and respect for seniors continues into daily life in Japan, and, one would hope, this country as well. Furthermore, because Kyoshi is an honorific term, one must never refer to himself/herself as Kyoshi, as this is seen as arrogant.

Kyoshi – min 6 years teaching as Shihan

• Role of a Kyoshi is to assist on the floor whenever possible, bow in, protocols, warm ups, teaching lower ranks, without being asked.
• To take on more of a senior role in the development of classes, implementation of material, research new material needed for growth ie weapons, applications for kata, history.
• To teach the teachers
• To develop & manage a specific area of the honbu.
• Take on senior role in teaching lower grades whether it be juniors or seniors at the honbu.
• Be a senior advisor to Renshi’s in the direction of school, call gradings and set up and run grading day.
• Be a senior council to head of school on matters of direction, problems, protocols, research,
• Advisor to Renshi’s on matters of their behavior and attitude, discipline, unite the clubs and play a part in the expansion of the club

What is a Hanchi – Hanshi, and the lower level titles, kyoshi and renshi, are what are known as shogo, teaching titles or degrees. As I understand it, they are considered more a recognition of one’s time in/contribution to the art (whichever that is) and less an indication of technical ability. That’s what the dan-i, “grade” or “rank” (see following paragraph) is for/about.

Hanshi – min 7 years teaching as Kyoshi

What is a Soke – Soke, pronounced (so? ke), is a Japanese term that means “the head family house.”In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is used synonymously with the term iemoto. Thus, it is often used to indicate “headmaster” (or sometimes translated as “head of the family” or even “grand master”.) The English translation of soke as “grand master” is not a literal translation but it does see use by some Japanese sources. It can mean one who is the leader of any school or the master of a style, but it is most commonly used as a highest level Japanese title, referring to the singular leader of a school or style of martial art. The term, however, is not limited to the genre of martial arts.Soke is sometimes mistakenly believed to mean “founder of a style” because many modern soke are the first generation headmasters of their art (shodai soke), and are thus both soke and founder. However, the successors to the shodai soke are also soke themselves. Soke are generally considered the ultimate authority within their art, and have final discretion and authority regarding promotions, curriculum, doctrine, and disciplinary actions. A soke has the authority to issue a menkyo kaiden certificate indicating that someone has mastered all aspects of his style. The widespread use of the term “soke” is controversial in the martial arts community. Traditionally it was used very rarely in Japan, typically only for very old martial arts, although it has become a somewhat common term for headmasters of schools created in the last few decades that attempt to reconstruct or emulate older styles of martial arts. Some modern western soke have used the title Soke-dai as a title for their assistant as the leader of their school. The Japanese character dai used in this context translates as “in place of.” Thus, a shihan-dai, soke-dai, or soke-dairi means “someone who teaches in temporary place of” the main instructor, for reasons such as the incapacity of the soke due to injuries or illnesses.

Soke – min 8 years teaching as Hanshi