Professors of Martial Arts

[Zanshin]

Hi,

Why is it that many senior grade martial artists refer to them selves as "Professor"?

Although not limited to the US it seems that this practice is more common in America.

I guess it is in an attempt to distinguish between ordinary Sensei (teacher) grade and senior or head teacher, but there are Japanese titles for this - IE "Hanshi".

Z

[Mike Flanagan]

I know one such Professor who, if memory serves correctly, is a little uncomfortable with oriental honorifics such as hanshi, soke etc. - these titles not really being part of his culture.

And given how popular the oriental terms are with self-promoted 'grand-masters' I can see why he might be uncomfortable using them.

Mike

[marie curie]

I know that two of the arts that I practice are not Japanese- one is Hawaiian and the other is Brazilian, so it would be kind of confusing to use Japanese terms.

[username8517]

I've never heard of Professor used as a substitute for instructor outside of the BJJ martial art.

[Zanshin]

I know one such Professor who, if memory serves correctly, is a little uncomfortable with oriental honorifics such as hanshi, soke etc. - these titles not really being part of his culture.

And given how popular the oriental terms are with self-promoted 'grand-masters' I can see why he might be uncomfortable using them.

Mike

Thats my point. How many of these "Professors" have a genuine university Phd, which is what the title infers.

Z

[Mike Flanagan]

Thats my point. How many of these "Professors" have a genuine university Phd, which is what the title infers.

Indeed, I think it can give the wrong impression even when that isn't the intention.

Mike

[ninjanurse]

I've never heard of Professor used as a substitute for instructor outside of the BJJ martial art.

This has been my experience with JuJitsu as a whole (not just BJJ). Usually reserved for 5th dan and above...a title bestowed by ones own "Professor".

[marie curie]

Thats my point. How many of these "Professors" have a genuine university Phd, which is what the title infers.

Z

I think that if you teach at a university, that would be the assumption, but I think that definitions 3 and 4 at dictionary.com (though not most common) show that the term does not necessitate the degree.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=professor

I was also just thinking back to when I first heard of my teacher's teacher (who generally goes by his first name but to other people, out of respect, we call him "professor"), and I don't think that I ever assumed that he had a PhD. Especially since we wouldn't be calling him professor in a dojo unless he was a professor of martial arts, and as another thread is currently discussing, the first BA program was just initiated so a martial arts PhD doesn't exist.

I just assumed he was a teacher of Kajukenbo.

[Zanshin]

Thats my point. How many of these "Professors" have a genuine university Phd, which is what the title infers.

Z

I think that if you teach at a university, that would be the assumption, but I think that definitions 3 and 4 at dictionary.com (though not most common) show that the term does not necessitate the degree.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=professor

Granted, strictly speaking you need no formal qualification to be referred to as a "professor", however the title is one that most people would associate with "academia" and not the "martial arts".

Is it therefore OK to give this impression?

Z

[learning kempo-karate]

Hello, Professor is a title (rigth about most use for Colleges).

For Martial arts it usually means the head of organzition (The Professor). Our teacher/sensi/almighty one....is the man guy!

Today Professor means chief instructor,head of schools, the top dog!

On the radio I listen to the CAR DOCTOR (not really a medical one). but he heal/repair cars.

Remember it is only a title...and now has change it's meaning in a boarder sense of the term. (more people using the name Professor for other than college). Professor is the most learnit one and profess's expert knowledge .

Define Professor: One who is an expert in his field. (has many degrees).

If we know too much...expert at that...are we to be call a Professor and if we know to little and is expert at that? ....can we be call a Professor too!

Lets all call ourselves Professor? .............Aloha (from Professor member of the forms).