Consider yourself a Master?

[shogeri]

i'm going to do the usual pointing out that neither the japanese term used in the teaching of their styles, nor the one used in the chinese schools is the term "master".

this is purely a western term.

I agree.

But the sad part is that many chinese/japanese or traditional asian systems use the term.

It's not one that I have ever fully appreciated, nor desired to receive. The training yes, but titles do little for me.

Experience, and the application thereof, while sharing it with others is one of the best things we can do for one another in the MA!

Take care!

[stonecrusher69]

I looked up the word master in my dictionary.The difinitions are very long here are a few. 1.a person with the ability or power to use control,or dispose of something.2. male head of the household.3.a male teacher,tutor or schoolmaster.a man eminently skilled in something,as an occupation,art,or science.being a master carrying on his trade independently,rather than a workman employed by another.

[jperk1966]

One thing most people don't realize is the title Sifu is actually a higher title than Master in traditional Kung Fu systems. As far as training in the temples of china, that isn't really nexessary to be a master since the best martial arts is here in the USA.

[ovine king]

no.

the term "master" is not used (unless in a western/english speaking environment) and you would be very hard pressed to even find a term that translates directly into anything that resembles "master".

si-fu means "teacher-father"

[stonecrusher69]

your right the chinese dont really use term master,althought I think some of them may use it now maybe to be more western perhaps.

[shogeri]

If someone were to read Asian text from a long time ago, and or watch some really old Asian films (not just martial art one), they would find that the term master, wasn't always used the same as it is now, and they would find more occurrences of the words, 'father, uncle', and 'teacher'...

Take care!

[stonecrusher69]

I agree.The chinese martial system is like a family.

[ovine king]

If someone were to read Asian text from a long time ago, and or watch some really old Asian films (not just martial art one), they would find that the term master, wasn't always used the same as it is now, and they would find more occurrences of the words, 'father, uncle', and 'teacher'...

Take care!

i speak and read chinese and have watched more than enough chinese programs and the only term for master i can think of is the strict term that translates directly into "owner". all terms related to the teaching of something has a subject related term that denotes teacher, or trainer, depending on the thing being taught.

[shogeri]

I am more into the history of Asian philosophy and culture, than of the language. Those are some of the things I studied while obtaining my bachelor degree.

I believe many of us are agreeing upon the use of

the term 'master'.

These are some great thoughts!!!

Ovine made some great points that support what I was trying to say as well.

Later!

[Sensei Rick]

it's funny. My sensei is a 7 th dan. He has the first check that his dad wrote for his fisrt month of lessons some 47 years ago. He found the cancelled check after his father died, what a pack rat. In our style, his title is Hanshi, simply meaning 7th dan. He refuses to let us call him hanshi tho, and still insists only the title of sesnsei, and says I can call him dave.

If I were to define a master I would look to how someone has furthered there martial art in there own and in other MA communities. How have they used there knowledge to further advance there system to the NON MA world and in our own world. And I would wany to know how much they know about there own art. I still look at our techniques and look to see where theyare flawed and where they work.

I know of People I would call a master, but they would never accept that title. I think if you are a master, you are too old to want a computer and aren't posting on this forum.