Ethics: What do I owe to my Sensei?

[still kicking]

I have been frustrated with my training. As a returning black belt after 20 years off, I had to start from the bottom again. After almost 2 years back I have only attained 6th kyu. This would be fine, except that objectively, and according to other observers, I am performing at a much higher level. To keep it short, my sensei seems to base rank more on seniority than actual ability or skill. Recently I phoned an instructor from another school from the same style, who has the same sensei as my teacher does. In other words, I have to test with my sensei's sensei to get a black belt, and this is also the sensei of the person who I phoned. My current sensei makes it out that his sensei is very demanding, and expects what I think of as an onerous amount of perfection before being presented to him as a possible black belt candidate. This other sensei, also his student, has a very different take on it. He thinks I should have been grandfathered in as a black belt, or if not, should be on a fast track. He has seen my karate, and thinks I could be ready to test for black belt with the head sensei within a year or two, if not sooner. If I continue training with my current sensei, it will take many years. There are 2 problems. This second sensei is located too far away for me to train with him more than once a week, and I doubt that my current sensei would be happy to be giving me a lot of help in class if I were actually claiming this other person as my sensei. The main thing, though, is that I want to behave in a way that is entirely ethical and above board, and I would not want to do anything that would show disrespect to my current sensei. The bottom line, though, is that I really don't agree with his approach to ranking. (I have not told the whole story, but the bottom line is that he has students who have been training for years who dont' seem to try that hard and aren't very skillful, but are several ranks ahead of people who are much better in every way). It's really complicated, but I am not that young any more and I think I deserve to both be respected for my previous accomplishments and recognized for my present ability. Would it be unethical to call this other person my sensei, and have him present me to the head sensei? It seems like it would be a major slap in the face to the sensei I have now. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[NightOwl]

You owe your sensei your monthly dues, and that's it...too often sensei's get power trips and think of their students as indentured servants, when you are a CUSTOMER. Perhaps they would like to live in a more or less feudal society (and before you think that is a good idea, remember that was in a time before toilet paper), and many times students play along with it. I am not saying that he is necessarily this way, but the only thing keeping you there is how much you like the guy and if you are feeling that you are getting the training that you want. The title 'sensei' means teacher- it is not a mystical bond. I call my professor sensei, doctors are referred to as sensei, and I even call my tennis coach sensei. You wouldn't worry about switiching math classes because another teacher would become your sensei would you? Likewise if things are not working out, go ahead and switch.

[P.A.L]

IMHO you shouldn't do this, unless you leave this sensei totaly and practice in the other dojo for a while .

[Dobbersky]

With Respect please read on I am having the conversation I have had with many students, with you, I would just bide your time and grade as your current Instructor deams fit.

Please remember you had 20 years off and unless you have contiuned to practice at home then you will have forgot most things although with your training it wont take long to rekindle then.

Karate is NOT about the colour of belt you wear it is about the person you become and to be a good blackbelt is to be humble and respectful amongst other things. I wear a Blackbelt in Ashihara and an Orange belt in Wado Ryu.

Does being a Orange Belt make me any less of a karateka than when I am stood in front of MY students wearing my blackbelt, teaching them, the answer is NO.

Remember as a Blackbelt you have a lot to uphold. All the lower Kyu Grades will be looking upto you. And think about it, you will gain more respect going through the grading syllabus twice, than jumping straight in and getting bored or outclassed by the other blackbelts.

What you need to decide is are you a 'Belt Chaser' or are you Karateka. I believe in various strains of Goju Ryu you can take 8 years to reach Shodan. and in some 'Freestyle' Karate clubs you could be a blackbelt in 2 1/2 years.

The one thing you can do is with permission from your sensei, is wear a wide Black Tab on your coloured belt to show you do have the grade of shodan or above in a previous style

[bushido_man96]

I agree with NightOwl. Now, if you were living under his roof, and training with him night and day, etc., then it may be a different story. This doesn't appear to be the case, though.

This seems like an extreme case to me, and I think you may have a legitimate arguement, from what I can tell. However, if the first thing you should consider is the quality of training that you are receiving, before considering leaving just to push along the rank awards. If you are happy with the training, then I would say not mess with anything. Perhaps approach the Sensei about your concerns, and see what you can come up with together. Perhaps he is willing to work with you. Also, perhaps he is testing you as well. There are a lot of things to keep in mind.

[bushido_man96]

What you need to decide is are you a 'Belt Chaser' or are you Karateka.

This is quite good. Something to think about.

[danbong]

In terms of obligations, it depends on if you wish to continue to train with this instructor. If you do not like the way he teaches, including his grading policies, you are free to chose another instructor to train with, and should not feel bad for doing so. On the other hand, if you wish to continue to train with him, you should tell him that you are also training with another instructor. And just as you have no obligation to train with him, he has no obligation to teach you either. So if he prefers to not to continue to teach you if you are studying with another instructor, you should not harbor ill feelings to him.

[bushido_man96]

And just as you have no obligation to train with him, he has no obligation to teach you either. So if he prefers to not to continue to teach you if you are studying with another instructor, you should not harbor ill feelings to him.

This is a good point, as well. Turnabout is fair play.

[ninjanurse]

Karate is NOT about the colour of belt you wear it is about the person you become and to be a good blackbelt is to be humble and respectful amongst other things.

Sometimes sensei knows best.

[armanox]

Karate is NOT about the colour of belt you wear it is about the person you become and to be a good blackbelt is to be humble and respectful amongst other things.

Good statement. I agree entirely. And I now have a new sig line.