Proper use of martial arts titles

Proper use of martial arts titles

We as westerners tend to try to apply English grammar rules to our use of Japanese words that are written in English. Such common titles as: Sensei, Shihan, Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi, Soke, ...etc. Are often misused. When referring to one Sensei there is no problem. The mis-use comes when using the words to refer to several people of the same title. Westerners tend to add an ‘s’ to the end of the title making Sensei into Senseis. This is not proper. The word Sensei can mean one Sensei or it can refer to several depending on how it is used. Similarly, I often here the word Soke’s used to refer to several Soke. Again the word Soke does not need a ‘s’ to indicate more than one Soke.

The second mistake westerners tend to make. Here in the U.S.A. we use Mr. Before a persons last name. Often I will be introduced as, Mr. Stanley in public. As a result we tend to introduce martial artists be placing their title before their name too. Many times I have been introduced to other martial artists as, Sensei Stanley. In Japan and Okinawa it is done differently. The sir name or title is placed after the name. In Japan I would be introduced as Stanley Sensei. Some of you may be aware of a Japanese name being followed by San in common Japanese. Therefore if Mr. Yamato were to be introduced he would be introduced as Yamoto-San.