| Shihan, Soke, Hanshi, Sensei... |
| All those Titles - What do they mean? |
| Titles that are used in the modern martial art dojo have taken on far more importance today than they held in the historical Japanese martial past. Modern martial arts systems have taken terms from general Japanese military (martial) language, which would have occurred naturally in conversation, and made them "official" titles. These titles seek to reflect hierarchy in martial arts systems. |
| The terms Sensei and Soke were fairly widely used, both in martial arts and in other situations. Also used were Kaicho, Kancho and Shihan. Sempai was occasionally used, but again, not only in martial arts. As in the menkyo system of licenses, titles were not standardized in the martial arts of Japan. Different ryu used different terms. Some used them strictly, some liberally. Arts like Kyujutsu and Kenjutsu used these titles more and have kept them till this day. |
| The truth is, there is a revival of these terms in the last century as a means to establish recognizable hierarchy in schools that have many dojo spread out over distances. In the ancient times, a ryu may possibly spread across a small region, but often just existed in one town. There was one leader, he was the master (soke, shihan), others did anything they could to learn from him, because it helped them survive on the battlefield. Those who studied with this master for years and survived combat were also sought out for their expertise and experience (shihan, sempai). It was understood they were not the soke, but were most definitely teachers (sensei) themselves. It was far easier to understand in this military training atmosphere than it is today. |
| However, as these terms are now used, and widely accepted, lets take a look at their basic definitions. As we are using the western alphabet, there will be occasions when you may see these words spelled slightly differently. |
| SEMPAI = (pron. Sem - Pie) Senior. Someone who is senior to you in the dojo. Usually black belts in modern schools, who are not the head instructor. While instruction comes from Sensei, a lot of learning and experience comes from working with sempai. |
| SENSEI = (pron. Sen-Say) Literally "Born Before", meaning "one who has gone before" you. It is the general term for Teacher. Although we use it in the martial arts dojo, it applies to teachers of other arts too. Usually the chief instructor of a dojo. |
| SHIDOIN = (pron. Shee-Doh-Een) Instructor. A term sometimes used in Aikido and Aikijujutsu. |
| SHIDOSHI = (pron. Shee-Doh-Shee) Instructor. Mostly used to refer to an instructor in Ninjutsu. |
| SHIHAN = (pron. Shee-Hahn) Model Teacher, Master. Referring to both technical skill and teaching skill. A person who has a combination of time in the art, maturity, and superior technical skills. |
| SOKE = (pron. Soh-Kay) Inheritor, Head family or house; used to refer to the individual who is the bloodline successor of a martial art tradition. A title almost always passed father to son in the past (however, there is record of several female soke). Soke can actually be a person unrelated to the head of the family, but the current head of family will adopt the person to become the next soke. Today (and sometimes in the past) the bloodline and adoption rule was ignored, and headmasters assigned the person whom they felt would best carry the ryu through the next generation. |
| SOKE KYOJU DAIRI = (pron. Soh-Kay-Keyoh-Joo-Die-Ree) Certified instructor designated to teach as the representative of the headmaster, temporarily. Often if a soke falls ill and cannot run the ryu, a soke kyoju dairi is assigned to keep things running while the official soke is unavailable. |
| KAICHO = (pron. Kie-Choh) Master of the House. A military reference. |
| KANCHO = (pron. Kahn-Choh) Master of the training hall. A military reference. |
| DOJOCHO = (pron. Doh-Joe-Choh) Master of the dojo. A modern term. |
| RENSHI = (pron. Ren-Shee) Polished Instructor. A person who has been tutored in being an instructor and now can teach. |
| KYOSHI = (pron. Keeyoh-Shee) Professor Instructor, refers to teaching soldiers. Instructs the philosophy of the military arts. |
| HANSHI = (pron. Hahn-Shee) Model Gentleman/Samurai. Reflects a person who has maintained martial bearing throughout his life. Speaks more toward the person's lifestyle than his technical ability. |
| DOSHU = (pron. Doh-Shoe) Leader of the Way. Used in Aikido as title of that art's Soke. |
| by Sensei St. Hilaire |