What’s Your Title?
Published xx/xx/2010
By Spencer Sensei
My wife and I participated in a tournament, in Tucson Arizona, around the mid to late eighties. During the tournament, an older martial artist took a group of black belts to task. My wife is not a nosey person, but she could not resist finding out what the commotion was over. It seems the distraught person was a karate master. He was indignant about the lack of respect he had received upon entering the facility. No one snapped to attention and announced his presence. As we all know karate tournaments are quite reserved moments of group contemplation, and his, I’m assuming they were his black belts, were obviously in need of chastisement. However, I did have a problem with Master Narcissi. He was not my master. I didn’t care if he was in the building or in the parking lot having a smoke. I was a lowly old Nidan, and I knew my rank was slightly above the guy that scrapped dead critters off the road between Tucson and Phoenix. It’s good to know your place. On the other hand, after training thirty years in the martial arts I was fortunate enough to meet martial artists like Harold Mitchum and William Hayes. Both men are true karate masters, and both are humble people. This makes you wonder where all these titles came from. How can these martial artist’s personalities be so diametrically opposed, yet they’ve all been given some elevated title? What do the titles mean?
I had the good fortune to attend a seminar conducted by both Bill Hayes sensei and Harold Mitchum sensei. Hayes sensei is a leading authority in a America on Shobayashi Shorin Ryu. Harold Mitchum trained directly with the founder of Isshin Ryu and operated one of Tatsuo Shimabuku’s dojos on Okinawa. When I first met Hayes sensei, he quietly entered the dojo. After he stepped onto the tatami, he was surrounded by eager to learn black belts from various systems. Having chosen to, he could have stepped onto the mat with a certain amount of pomposity befitting his station within the martial arts community, yet he joined the group quietly and without pomp and circumstance. The seminar was instructive and entertaining. At the end he patiently listened to our silly questions and answered without sarcasm. He treated us with respect regardless of rank. At another of Hayes sensei’s seminars I had one extremely personally embarrassing moment. I excitedly demonstrated something my class was working on while asking for his comments and landed feet up and firmly on my backside. I learned that day a bad knee and highly waxed floors are an invitation to a humbling moment. Hayes sensei didn’t laugh, but simply smiled and asked if I were okay and helped me up. Clumsily I tried to conceal my embarrassment and melted into the bulk of the class. Later I read his book “My Life with the Grand Master,” and discover he too had humbling experiences. This didn’t reduce my embarrassment, but it made feel a little better about the whole incident. These moments I believe are God’s way of keeping us from getting too big for our britches. At Mitchum sensei’s seminar I got to speak with his wife for a brief moment. Master Mitchum was surrounded by members of his organization and could have used that opportunity to lord over everyone, but he simply walked through the crowd shaking their hands while they shook in their uniforms. His wife and I were seated outside the dojo in the viewing area. She asked if I were a member of his organization and I informed her that I was not, but I did indeed study Isshin Ryu karate. She shook her head and said, “He doesn’t get it you know,” speaking of Mitchum sensei. “He can’t understand what all the fuss is about.” This man’s humility was well… inspiring to me because I can sometimes be a little pompous. Master Mitchum trained longer than any other student directly with the founder of Isshin ryu Tatsuo Shimabuku. It was through karateka like Mitchum, Nagel, and Long that I am able to study a style of karate that is dear to my heart. Mitchum sensei is living Isshin Ryu history and deserves the adulation he does not understand. Both men have spent the greater parts of their lives teaching karate, and certainly both deserve our respect and praise, but what separates these two from the pack is their humility.
Let us examine the titles given to different ranks in karate. There are lots of titles in karate. Some of these titles are Sempai, Sensei, Renshi, Tasshi, Hanshi, Master, Master Instructor, and Grand Master. I’m looking for, but have not found, the title Grand Imperial Master of the Karate Universe, but after someone reads this article, I’m certain it will happen soon. Titles are means for peers to recognize other peers for their accomplishments within the martial arts.
What is Kyu rank? Kyu ranks are grades below the dan or black belt grades. Normally there are nine grades in karate below black belt. The Federation of All Japan Karate Organizations (F.A.J.K.O.) only have six kyu ranks. Some schools have a different color belt for each grade while others have as few as two or three. The basic kyu belt colors are white, green, and brown. Korean arts use the term Gup for grades below black belt and depending upon the organization wear many different colored belts too. One obvious difference is that many Korean arts substitute a red belt for the Okinawan and Japanese brown belt. Each organization and school have a set curriculum to regulate kyu promotion. There is no single set of universal curriculum to develop kyu graduation. It is subjective school to school and organization to organization. The progression should systematically lead the student to what is required for their ascent to the dan or black belt ranks.
What are dan ranks? These are ranks above the kyu ranks and are recognized by the wearing of the black belt. In some Goju Ryu organizations a half red and half with belt is worn at fourth and fifth dan. The white is worn on top for fourth and the red is on top for fifth. The red and white paneled belt is worn at sixth dan in some systems and seventh in others. Lastly many tenth degrees wear the red belt as a symbol of master level teacher. Dan grades can vary from five to twelve depending upon the style. In most cases the highest dan level is reserved for the founder of a system or his/her heir. Not all systems award the black belt for post kyu recognition. In Tang-Soo-Do a dark navy-blue belt is awarded instead of the black belt. Most organizations follow the (F.A.J.K.O.) timetable for rank promotion. Nidan (2nd degree) comes two years after Shodan (1st degree) and Sandan (3rd degree) three years after Nidan. The next rank is due in the same number of years as the degree of your last promotion. Not all schools follow this regiment. Many only promote when they feel the student is ready, and others are slow to promote in an effort to preserve their revenue streams and minimize their competition. The All-Okinawan Karate Federation (A.O.K.F.) promotes to second degree one year after 1st degree followed by two years to 3rd degree and three years to 4th degree and so on. Obviously if a student exhibits a bad attitude or willful defiance of the sensei these periods between promotions can increase indefinitely. Time is not the only measure to promote a student the sensei must also look at character, technique, and maturity. Dan ranks in many cases are a simple measure of how long a karateka has trained.
What does Sempai mean? One definition is master-at-arms in the dojo. Sometime the senior student below black belt is referred to as sempai. Another sempai could be the senior black belt or number two in command. It usually is given to the student that has trained the longest. Having trained the longest with the sensei the sempai should have a great understanding of the sensei’s training goals and methods, and with limited instructions can be trusted to carry out this purpose without supervision. A Sempai’s student is called Kohai. The sempai is the mentor and the Kohai is a protégé. In some Japanese systems the Kohai is expected to perform minor tasks for the Sempai like cleaning the dojo or washing his/her uniform. A Sempai leads and teaches the Kohai while the Kohai is obligated to respect their mentor. The modern American dojo, in many cases, they do not have this title. A sempai is the backbone of the karate organization. Sempai is simply the assistant to the instructor.
What does Sensei mean? The generic term for sensei is “teacher.” It is a title to separates those who have achieved a certain level of perfection from those working towards that goal. In the early days only the head of a system would be referred to as sensei. Today most head instructors at local karate schools are called sensei. In other schools this title is given to all black belt instructors. Sensei is an honorific title. O-sensei (Great Master) is used today to reference the head of a ryu/ha or style. We loosely use this term in America to refer to anyone sporting a black belt, but honestly the sensei is only one person you follow. He/she is the one that is leading you to the understanding of what is needed to accomplish mastery over the complex fighting system they support. If the black belt you are training with is not worthy of your respect, why do you call him/her sensei? A sensei has a moral obligation to live a humble and honorable life. This must be done to truly inspire his/her students to become the best they can possibly be. Sensei builds people not war machines. He teaches right from wrong and has the obligation to weed out those that would abuse what he/she is teaching. If you do not agree with the instructor, do not call him/her sensei. To be called sensei is a great honor. Don’t call someone sensei just because they wear a black belt.
What are Sho-Go ranks? These titles are master ranks or academic and teaching titles. They’re honorific titles above the traditional dan ranks. The basis of these awards in most cases includes character exhibited by the instructor, knowledge, years teaching experience, and teaching ability. Because dan ranks, in some organizations, are simply measures of continuous training, a means to separate the exceptional instructors from those that simply put in their time made the Sho-Go ranks a tool to give these black belts the recognition they deserve. Many of these titles require a written test accompanied with a thesis. These advanced titles are very difficult to receive. As far as I know mainly the Kyoshi and Hanshi titles are used on Okinawa, but the Renshi title has had some limited use. There are claims that the Renshi title has been awarded to Isshin Ryu instructors by Kichero Shimabuku sensei. In 1971 the (F.A.J.K.O.) adopted as ranking system which provided for ten dan ranks (black belt grades), six kyu ranks (below black belt grade), and title ranks (Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi). The (F.A.J.K.O.) was created in an effort to get karate into the Olympics. It is one of the most successful attempts at unifying karate factions. The detractors of these advanced ranks claim that some American and Japanese martial arts organizations use them as an additional source of revenue. Others claim a it is difficult for an American to receive these advanced titles from Japanese organizations. Some American instructors dismiss this system while others embrace it. Systems like Uechi Ryu do not even wear a stripe on their belt until reaching Godan (fifth-degree). Do they consider themselves elitists by keeping it simple, or is this an act of humility? I believe it should not matter to anyone outside the Uechi organization. We should honor their systems hierarchy. Do Sho-Go ranks make a difference? I believe that distinction is up to an organization and its membership and not up to every black belt or organization with a superior attitude. To answer the question posed earlier, Sho-Go rank is an honorific title given to advanced dan ranks.
What does Renshi mean? “Ren” means tempered while “shi” means person. This title is given to someone that has mastered themselves. They’re considered an expert. Renshi is an honorific title given to someone that has made an outstanding contribution to a martial arts organization. Some systems apply this title to a certain rank while in other ryu/ha it is conferred by a council. Still in other organizations an application must be made for this rank, and acceptance is dependant upon the applicant’s age and qualifications. It is normally awarded at ranks from 4th to 6th dan. In some organizations you cannot be an instructor unless you hold this title. In Japan you must take a written test to achieve this recognition. Your instructing ability or teaching skill levels may be examined also. Technically speaking a sixth dan Renshi is considered a higher rank than a 6th dan. For example, Shito Ryu, in Japan, holds these advanced titles in reserve. To apply for Renshi one must be a sixth–dan and over thirty-five years old. Along with the application, one must submit a lengthy written thesis. Just because the instructor meets this criteria and applies does not guarantee acceptance. A holder of this title should not be addressed by the term Renshi. They should simply be called sensei.
What does Kyoshi mean? “Kyo” means advanced instructor or professor. The title Kyoshi is given to those that have reached the rank of sixth or seventh dan. It implies an internal level of perfection along with being an expert instructor. The Kyoshi should be able to expound upon the philosophical and tactical nuances of their style. An instructor must have held the Renshi title for six to seven years before the Kyoshi title is conferred. Kyoshi is an honorific title given to someone that has made an outstanding contribution to a martial arts organization. Shito Ryu requires a thesis and a minimum age of forty-eight. The thesis must be argued and demonstrated. Again, this title can be conferred with rank or awarded by a peer council depending upon the organization. Many instructors use the title Kyoshi. An example of this would be Kyoshi Smith instead of sensei Smith. Other systems arguably prefer, even at Kyoshi grade, the title sensei. Renshi is like having a post graduate degree, so there is no reason to use it in one’s karate title, but Kyoshi is like having a doctorate. It is common practice to use the title doctor when acknowledging someone that holds a PhD. Kyoshi is an expert instructor.
What do Hanshi, Shihan, and Kaiden mean? The title Hanshi is given to those that have reached the rank of eighth dan. Some organizations maintain that no one under fifty-eight to sixty years old should hold this title. I can understand this. Wisdom reached by age is vitally important when one holds this title. The one that carries this title is the living example of what a system is trying to impart. Hanshi comes ten to fifteen-years after receiving Kyoshi title. Again, this is done in some systems by written application, or it can be awarded by a council of peers. This title rarely is associated with the receiving of the eighth dan rank, and in most cases requires going above and beyond what is needed to have the rank conferred. Hanshi is a teacher of teachers. Shihan is given to those that achieve ninth dan and means “Great Expert.” Kaiden is rarely awarded because it means “Equal to the Master.” Only a system’s master can bestow this honor. These Menkyo license come from the ancient system of grades of the Bugei and were awarded by the master of a style. Most of the founders of the karate systems we study today are gone, and it is with affection we call them Hanshi, Soke, Shihan, or any other title that shows respect for those that promoted karate before us.
Why do you call them Master, and what is a Grand master? I have trained with a plethora of karate instructors, but not one ever founded a system. The Grand Master of the system that I’ve spent decades training in is dead. He advanced his theory of fighting, and it has become one of the major styles of karate being taught today. I can trace my linage back to him, and the ones we call master today are the leaders in their field of karate. These past and modern-day masters gave their entire lives to teaching and promoting karate.
The title you hold is meaningless if you’re not respected. In my opinion the title given by your peers is the only one of value. Not all high ranks hold fancy titles or colorful belts. American organizations rarely use these advanced Sho-Go titles. They’re most popular among Japanese organizations and can be found on Okinawa as well. Many of the high-ranking martial artists in Okinawa and Japan received their rank from a sanctioning committee. Some of these sanctioning organizations were the F.A.J.K.O., A.O.K.F., the ministry of education, or the Butokukai. Some masters simply assumed rank. Funakoshi sensei is the one that many blames for the modern way we rank students even though he never personally claimed any rank. He based the karate ranks on Kano’s Judo system of ranking. When group leader died without naming a successor, the senior members would sit on a “High Dan Board” and give rank to deserving students. In some systems the soke or kancho title was inherited by the founder’s oldest son or daughter. Being called Grand Master or The Big Cheese is meaningless, if no one respects you as a person. I have no personal ax to grind over titles. If they are part of an organizations culture so, be it. I do however have little respect for a black belt or an organization that attacks other groups for their use or non-use of these titles. My personal favorite title is “The Great and All-Powerful OZ,” but I can’t get my students to use that title with a straight face. Seriously… my favorite title will always be sensei.