Saying "No" to Sensei

First, the unspoken legends of Asian Sensei silently conveying the entire system is based on a cultural belief system that outside those circles does not exist. Westerners are the absolute opposite of this model so communications is critical to adequately pass along martial arts teachings.

The Japanese/Asian cultures are of such rigid cultural form that often each person can intuitively perceive what is expected of them while westerners rely heavily on various forms of communications, i.e. words, body language to include facial expressions and tone or intonation in the melody of the spoken words.

In one instance a practitioner of a koryu system in Japan was told by his Sensei when he was given permission to teach the system, "you are not Japanese, when you return to the west, teach as is proper to westerners." Westerners or Americans rely heavily on verbal type communications. In my view it is a matter of combining holistically teachings by sense, i.e. the sense of sight; the sense of sound and the sense of touch.

So, as to the question asked ..... in our country even if the system taught is classic/traditional one should be allowed to communicate or question the Sensei and it is imperative the Sensei have the ability to communicate effectively the system in its entirety. Anything less is "bullshit." When you spend the time, effort and due diligence in a training hall it is required and expected that the training hall and its service providers give back in kind.

A good sensei must have the confidence and ability to communicate effectively as well as lead by example. If they don't then a student, practitioner or karate-ka, as the situation dictates, should say "no" when appropriate and with appropriate respect but then again if that is not possible - don't walk away, run. Take that time to find someone who is willing to actually teach the entire system and remain open to the relationship necessary to achieve success for the person, the sensei and the dojo.