Karate Instructor vs. Sensei

I was reading a post by Michael Clarke Sensei, at Shinseidokan Dojo blog, and the two seemed to beg for attention, “Karate Instructor vs. Sensei.” I believe he was trying to make an distinction and that spurred me on to write a post about it because in my view it is an important distinction. 

Many can say they are karate instructors but few, in my view and perception, can say they are Sensei. Then the question arises as to what constitutes a karate instructor and what constitutes a Sensei. Karate instructor is a label that speaks to an apparent ability to teach and a subject of karate much like a high school subject - math. It holds a hollow meaning form many more traditional type practitioners. At least from my seat on the dojo floor. 

I tend to associate a karate instructor with a commercial view. It tends to be limited in what it gives yet it wants to pull in a lot of money in return. It is like a barter system where one person comes in and asks if you have this particular product, you say, “Right here,” and they ask, “How much?” You state a price and then the deal is done. It is about a set of criteria that is balanced against a monetary amount that makes the person feel like they are getting something for their hard earned cash. A karate instructor may provide just the provided product, no more and no less. I am not saying all karate instructors are like this but I would bet most are and they fall into that category.

Then there is the karate instructor who opens a dojo (a store) with minimal knowledge, ability and expertise. This is often those who took the above instruction from their karate instructor after attaining a black belt for completing successfully the stated criteria, passing the required tests and demonstrating a fundamental knowledge of the physical manifestations that make their karate appear authenticate. There is, from some perspectives, no substance to their karate, no substance to their instructions and they tend to fit a specific structure and form that makes for a karate class. Even the word, “Class,” intimates a school oriented type endeavor. Maybe this is because most of today’s karate comes from the karate formed for the Okinawan and Japanese educational system implementations in the early 1900’s/

This is by far not even close to a full disclosure as to what constitutes a, “Karate Instructor.” 

Sensei, even the characters/ideograms for the term don’t do it justice. First, understand that the term is used in all facets of Japanese and Okinawan culture and life. It can be defined as an, “Oath or a Pledge.” It can refer to an “Ancient Sage regarding Confucius.” It is used as an honorific title for teachers or doctors, etc. It can even have meaning toward the game of baseball, i.e. head start (of several runs) (baseball).

In the dojo it can mean, “Teacher; master.” The most common characters/ideograms used to denote a dojo sensei are, “先生.” Those characters/ideograms mean, “先: Before; ahead; previous; future; precedence and 生: life; genuine; birth. In many circles one can make the assumption that it means, “One who comes before.” It is like referring to one who has been around longer, who has attained a higher level of knowledge, experience and ability. Yet it does not truly, as a defined term, characters and ideograms, convey the true meaning in the traditional dojo for the head of said dojo, the Sensei. 

The traits and character of Sensei can be described with many descriptive words such as, “Honorable, Loyal, Honest to a fault, Truthful, reticent (stoic), benevolent, a person of honor and valor, of great wisdom, enlightened, humble, of unquestionable great character, a mentor, a guide, an active listener, articulate beyond normal, accomplished, leader, patient, emotional intelligent, knowledgable, energetic, postivie in attitude, demonstrates through deed, action and word the true essence of budo, moral, and so many other descriptive terms. 

Sensei allows you to discover for yourself your true path in a discipline that transcends many other more sportive ones. Sensei allows the individual to grow, learn, and discover. It is a title that describes one who is devoted to his efforts to lead, teach and train practitioners in the chosen martial system and way. 

It is not to vilify any one individual or to put them so high on a pedestal they forget the truth of the way of a Sensei or Karate. It is what separates people from true visionaries of the martial arts. It is almost indescribable  and must be sensed without subverting those who would follow from being their own persons and going their own way. 

Sensei is normal yet special so it makes it very hard to describe let alone achieve otherwise they are just, “Karate Instructors.”

In closing, I feel I may understand Clarke Sensei’s feelings regarding a sensei vs. a karate instructor but I am not him. To me, a karate sensei is something unique in all the physical disciplines if for no other reason it is one of a few that actually takes in a life path model as a part of its teachings, i.e., in the fundamental principles of the martial system. Very personally, I don’t want to be just a karate instructor but to be a true, complete and sincere Sensei, that is something worth shooting for, don’t you think?