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The Sensei; who’s that man? |
Newsletter 05/03
The loud voice filled the air in the dojo, ’’line up’’. Silence followed the atmosphere; karateka stopped self warming up and moved quickly and quietly to form a straight line facing kamiza. A man, stood in front of the line, facing them. On command, ‘’sensei ni rei’’, karateka in line, already having taken the seiza (kneeling) position, bowed to him while he was returning the bow. ‘’Who‘s that guy?’’ the unfamiliar visitor asked one of the karateka who had already finished training and was leaving the area. ‘’He is the sensei’’.
Although in this fictitious conversation, the question seems naïve, have we ever thought, seriously, who really is this person that we all call (or in our case being called) sensei?
In general terms, sensei may be roughly translated as "teacher." However, the literal meaning is "one who was born before;" i.e., someone older to you. Therefore, in terms of an art, he is the one with the more experience who can guide you along the do, the way. It is clear that sensei is not synonymous with "saint," "prophet," "religious saviour" or "divine being." Therefore, who may be called as sensei? The term is used in modern Japan to refer to teachers in educational institutions, in classical arts and crafts, in taiko drum clubs, medical doctors, professors, martial arts, dance, music, etc; in short, all manner of teaching-learning environments. Although the literal term does signify that the person has some kind of age and maturity, there is no set age marker as to who can be called a sensei. A young person in his/her twenties teaching kindergarten can be called a sensei, as can a 90-year old master of archery.
What
a sensei is expected to know? This is very complicated to be answered lightly. I
will try my best to express my personal opinion and approach to the subject.
From the technical point of you, the sensei should be aware of all the principles of his art. He should have an adequate knowledge of the technical details, knowing not only to perform but to explain as well the details and principles of each technique. He should carry on his shoulders a certain baggage of training not only in quantity but in quality as well. It is through this quality in training, that he has developed a certain quality in character, which will allow him to guide his students along the path. He is the leader of the dojo and an example and inspiration for his students. On the same time, treating him like a cult leader, who has all the answers to what's messed up in your life, is just bizarre. To put things in order THE SENSEI IS A PEDAGOUGE. In this context, paying proper respects to one's sensei is the only right thing to do.
In addition to that knowledge, the sensei is expected to know some things more. He is expected to be aware of ryu’s history and tradition. Martial arts are based on tradition and practitioners like to know the history and lineage of their ryu; they like to know that they belong to a chain of people who stems its origin a number of decades (or centuries?) ago. He should provide advice on physical fitness and health development, for his students. He should be able to treat certain injuries which may occur in the dojo during training. He should be able to….But although he is expected to have a broad knowledge, he must be ready to say to his students ‘’I do not know but I will look after your question’’. Above all he is a human being not a god on earth.
In proper usage, the term sensei is used after the person's last name, for example, Jones sensei. This is the Japanese way of giving titles in conversation. Thus, you wouldn't say Sensei Jones, although this is a Western way (as in Mr. Jones, or Captain Delta). Recently, some Western martial arts people have tried to use more exotic labels for themselves or others, such as Dai-sensei, soke-dai, and so on. This practice shows a lack of understanding of the Japanese language (and therefore calls into question their authenticity). Actually, soke-dai, or shihandai doesn't mean "big grandmaster." Soke does refer to a master instructor of a hereditary (and often family-inherited) school. Also in this case, the word dai in Japanese does not mean "big," but "in place of." Thus, a shihandai or soke-dai is "someone who teaches in temporary place of" the main instructor, for certain reasons, such as the incapacity of the soke due to injuries or illnesses, etc. No one is called Dai referring to his "bigness" or "highness." As is the case of aikido's founder Ueshiba Morihei, he is referred as O-sensei. This long O- actually meant "big" or "main" sensei. Some classical martial arts schools, or koryu, have terms that are unique to their schools that do, indeed, refer to levels of expertise. In certain ryu the head instructor, the inheritor of the tradition, is referred as kancho, or "leader (-cho) of the hall (kan)." This term has been also used in other arts and crafts schools.
It is worthy to note that, the way a sensei is treated in Japan is based on deep-seated cultural traditions, most of which have been transferred to budo. We, as westerners, have some difficulties to understand these traditions in their full extent, but apprehension of them, will allow us to walk the warrior’s way, budo, to its full extent.