The Title

[bushido_man96]

I have someone outside my system that is willing grade me to 6th Dan but I must meet the time in grade which is still another 2 to 3 years and the only reason he has agreed to this is because he has seen me come up through the ranks from San kyu to godan.

I won't self promote either just not the way to do it.

The problem I have with my current association is that at 5th dan, I think I am just granted the title of Master after testing. I think the test is just like the other tests, and I am not sure there are any different requirements. I guess I don't have to be called master, but I am not sure what to do here.

[Brandon Fisher]

I have someone outside my system that is willing grade me to 6th Dan but I must meet the time in grade which is still another 2 to 3 years and the only reason he has agreed to this is because he has seen me come up through the ranks from San kyu to godan.

I won't self promote either just not the way to do it.

The problem I have with my current association is that at 5th dan, I think I am just granted the title of Master after testing. I think the test is just like the other tests, and I am not sure there are any different requirements. I guess I don't have to be called master, but I am not sure what to do here.

I feel the same way you do in many ways. I to technically have the title of master but I hate being called master and tend to correct people. I am not a master of anybody or anything. I am a student of the martial arts for life. I at best am Sensei and thats all I will ever be in my mind. If I ever make it to 10th Dan I will still just be sensei. Many organizations like yours give the title of master at 5th dan sometimes at 4th dan the title bothers me. I have done a lot of research over the past few months on title and I have found that the title Shihan is normal at 5th dan. I was always told 6th dan was it. I was told Renshi was 4th and 5th dan which I have found was not the case but that it was at 6th Dan.

Only time I use the title Shihan is on the promotion certificate I issue. The calligipher who did the kanji recomended it and she is japanese so I took her advice because her first suggestion was Hanshi or Soke and I did not want that. Seen to many people claim the title of soke and have not ever done anything for it and plus not understand what it is or means.

A title that may be appropriate for you at 5th dan is Sa Bum Nim I have noticed korean stylists using this title at 5th and 6th dan. I am not a korean stylist nor do I know much about the true korean titles. But to be honest if you are not comfortable being called master then I would not allow it.

I hope that helps a little.

[RichardHangHong]

What titles have you come across?

• Heard it used in a class = Sempai, Sensei, Senior Sensei, Shihan, Hanshi
   
  Heard through karate friends nearby to me = Kohai, Kancho, Kigen
   
  Other titles I've heard = Renshi

What do they mean?

• Assistant Instructor/Senior, Teacher, Senior Instructor, Chief Instructor, Head Instructor/Founder, Junior, Founder, Founder

When should they be issued?

• Depends on how the school views the titles and if they use them or not. We use Sempai for assistant intructors and Sensei for instructors. We don't use Kohai at present. Sensei for black belt is suitable, perhaps students who teach at 3rd-1st kyu a title of Junior Sensei would be appropriate. I think 5th Dan is a reasonable time to issue someone with the title of Shihan. Hanshi and Kancho I think should be given at 9th or 10th Dan. As for Kigen and Renshi, I don't really know much about either title so can't really express any views on them.

When ARE they issued?

• I've seen the sensei title given to students in another club at as low as 8th kyu. They throw a black and white belt on them to hide their grade and get them teaching people who most of the time don't know any better. As for Shihan and the others I've only really seen them given at the times I mentioned before with the exception of one who I know of was given the title "Kigen" at 3rd Dan and another who was given the title "Kancho" at 6th or 7th Dan. Both people were given the titles by their own students instead of by a group of seniors outside of their direct organisation. How would students who are junior to their "chief instructor" know if they should have that title?

[bushido_man96]

I have someone outside my system that is willing grade me to 6th Dan but I must meet the time in grade which is still another 2 to 3 years and the only reason he has agreed to this is because he has seen me come up through the ranks from San kyu to godan.

I won't self promote either just not the way to do it.

The problem I have with my current association is that at 5th dan, I think I am just granted the title of Master after testing. I think the test is just like the other tests, and I am not sure there are any different requirements. I guess I don't have to be called master, but I am not sure what to do here.

I feel the same way you do in many ways. I to technically have the title of master but I hate being called master and tend to correct people. I am not a master of anybody or anything. I am a student of the martial arts for life. I at best am Sensei and thats all I will ever be in my mind. If I ever make it to 10th Dan I will still just be sensei. Many organizations like yours give the title of master at 5th dan sometimes at 4th dan the title bothers me. I have done a lot of research over the past few months on title and I have found that the title Shihan is normal at 5th dan. I was always told 6th dan was it. I was told Renshi was 4th and 5th dan which I have found was not the case but that it was at 6th Dan.

Only time I use the title Shihan is on the promotion certificate I issue. The calligipher who did the kanji recomended it and she is japanese so I took her advice because her first suggestion was Hanshi or Soke and I did not want that. Seen to many people claim the title of soke and have not ever done anything for it and plus not understand what it is or means.

A title that may be appropriate for you at 5th dan is Sa Bum Nim I have noticed korean stylists using this title at 5th and 6th dan. I am not a korean stylist nor do I know much about the true korean titles. But to be honest if you are not comfortable being called master then I would not allow it.

I hope that helps a little.

Thank you for the advise, Brandon. The title Sah bum nim is Korean for instructor. I will probably receive that title at the rank of 3rd dan.

[Brandon Fisher]

Thanks now I learned something new

[Fairfax_Uechi]

I consider titles like colored belts. They're different from style to style and sometimes even from dojo to dojo in a style. In Uechi anyone 4 Dan is a Master. I personally, will just refer to someone as Sensei unless I know otherwise, and if the person is offended then they probably have some serious issues.

One thing though, even though someone is called a Master at 5 Dan and above in our style, it's an optional title. I won't call anyone master as I have personal issues with this title. But that's a totally different discusion.

[jaymac]

My instructor was awarded Shihan at 6th Dan by his instructor. I call him Shihan because he is deserving of his title. His teachings, style, time in training, respect, and attitude is amazing. He has dedicated his life to Martial Arts and teaching it to others. I am a Nidan and called Sensei. I have many years of training and experience before another promotion. I do not consider my technique equal of my instructors, and am glad that we do not share the same title. Every dojo, dojang is different and you should address the individuals in that school as your instructor asks, but give everyone from white belt to 10th dan equal respect.

[bushido_man96]

I agree with you Jaymac. I also feel that it is important that the juniors of the schools receive the respect that they deserve as well. Without the juniors, we can't be seniors.

[Brandon Fisher]

I agree with you Jaymac. I also feel that it is important that the juniors of the schools receive the respect that they deserve as well. Without the juniors, we can't be seniors.

[jaymac]

Thank you.