Shihan, Shihan Dai, Soke, Grand Master etc!

[Lupin1]

Our head instructor was just awarded his 8th Dan last year. He definitely hasn't changed at all in ego since he got it. He's got a very different kind of ego-- more of an intellectual ego. He doesn't think he's the best practitioner (far from it, especially now that he's mostly disabled) and doesn't demand to be treated a certain way due to rank, but he is firmly convinced we've got the best program in the world and he's very confident in the research he's done and his knowledge of the arts (though he by no means thinks he's the best in that).

We also have one of his original instructors come work with us once or twice a month. He's a 7th Dan. He's an extremely humble man. He actually trained on Okinawa in the Agena dojo with the son of Isshinryu's founder back in the 70s, but he's never conceited about it. Since he still considers himself a guest at our school (though the head instructor doesn't see it that way), we have to ask for him to share his opinions and experiences or he'll just stand back and learn.

[inventor]

A martial artist

Whatever is discourteous he does not do;

Whatever is improper he does not say.

He never shows any sign of weakness;

but never argues with other people.

Heart makes the martial artist; not rank!

The wise man walks the earth with his head bowed;

humble like the dust.

[sensei8]

Here is my bad and good.

One high ranking instructor I used to train with was great on the floor. Joked about and taught classes with a great amount of humor and was very personable at seminars, but the minute this guy was off the floor...dead pan and no personality, he acted like it was a horrible thing to be here teaching and he did not socialize. His junior on the other hand would come out and while on the floor he was a task master that would drill us into the floor, he was great to train under if you liked almost being killed each class....it was great! Off the floor, what a great guy, funny talked to kids and hugged you and was fantastic.

the other good one that I have trained with is Saeki Sensei out of Ottawa. The guy is very nice. One camp I mentioned off handed that I really liked a shirt he was wearing. I was being polite and trying to make small talk (it really was a great golf shirt however).. Did not think much of it and went back to my hotel that night. Next day I was given a plastic bag with the shirt in it. He went home and laundered it and then gave it to me......I was floored. He is a great Karate teacher as well!Fantastic Human being and the kind of guy you want to be part of an organization with.

A very solid post!! I thank you for it, especially the bold type above.

[sensei8]

I've a long way to go, but I'm so thankful that my students allow me to walk side by side with them while they're on their MA journey; we learn from each other.

[SifuGazz]

All,

Being just a humble Sensei and I will always be just that, I have met many a senior Martial Artist in my days and I find that there is a different array of personalities within the ranks

I would say that the 5th to 7th Dans are really humble, approachable, eager to assist and explain things to ALL students regards of the belt around the waist.

Now I've met some senior grades 8th Dan and above (in person and online) and it made me think if this is what being at this level means that this is how you have to behave, I would rather they kept the title and it made me realise that being a Martial Artist DOESN'T make you automatically a NICE person.

There has been some really nasty and egotistical characters in my martial arts lifetime. A shame as I remember them more than I remember the humble Hanshi's etc who would work with a white belt with the same enthusiam as they would with their senior Shihans.

Can anyone else add their experiences of meeting and training with senior Grades in person and online.

OSU!!!

I have found martial artists in general become a bit abrasive when they are of different styles and high in rank. They have so much time invested their style becomes like a religion, and people are trying to convert one another, sometimes not so pleasantly. Musicians are the opposite (I am a musician), they are fast friends, and want to join forces. Many other hobbies are the same, not as abrasive. This is unfortunate, but it is the nature of the game.

I let the material speak for itself, and be as nice as possible.

G

[sensei8]

All,

Being just a humble Sensei and I will always be just that, I have met many a senior Martial Artist in my days and I find that there is a different array of personalities within the ranks

I would say that the 5th to 7th Dans are really humble, approachable, eager to assist and explain things to ALL students regards of the belt around the waist.

Now I've met some senior grades 8th Dan and above (in person and online) and it made me think if this is what being at this level means that this is how you have to behave, I would rather they kept the title and it made me realise that being a Martial Artist DOESN'T make you automatically a NICE person.

There has been some really nasty and egotistical characters in my martial arts lifetime. A shame as I remember them more than I remember the humble Hanshi's etc who would work with a white belt with the same enthusiam as they would with their senior Shihans.

Can anyone else add their experiences of meeting and training with senior Grades in person and online.

OSU!!!

I have found martial artists in general become a bit abrasive when they are of different styles and high in rank. They have so much time invested their style becomes like a religion, and people are trying to convert one another, sometimes not so pleasantly. Musicians are the opposite (I am a musician), they are fast friends, and want to join forces. Many other hobbies are the same, not as abrasive. This is unfortunate, but it is the nature of the game.

I let the material speak for itself, and be as nice as possible.

G

Proof is on the floor!!

[SifuGazz]

All,

Being just a humble Sensei and I will always be just that, I have met many a senior Martial Artist in my days and I find that there is a different array of personalities within the ranks

I would say that the 5th to 7th Dans are really humble, approachable, eager to assist and explain things to ALL students regards of the belt around the waist.

Now I've met some senior grades 8th Dan and above (in person and online) and it made me think if this is what being at this level means that this is how you have to behave, I would rather they kept the title and it made me realise that being a Martial Artist DOESN'T make you automatically a NICE person.

There has been some really nasty and egotistical characters in my martial arts lifetime. A shame as I remember them more than I remember the humble Hanshi's etc who would work with a white belt with the same enthusiam as they would with their senior Shihans.

Can anyone else add their experiences of meeting and training with senior Grades in person and online.

OSU!!!

I have found martial artists in general become a bit abrasive when they are of different styles and high in rank. They have so much time invested their style becomes like a religion, and people are trying to convert one another, sometimes not so pleasantly. Musicians are the opposite (I am a musician), they are fast friends, and want to join forces. Many other hobbies are the same, not as abrasive. This is unfortunate, but it is the nature of the game.

I let the material speak for itself, and be as nice as possible.

G

Proof is on the floor!!

EXACTLY!!! Well put.