Why do we call you Sensei? -By F. Darren Smith Shihan

It’s a word often heard about the dojo. It’s one of the first Japanese words spoken by the newest of beginners. It’s one those words mouthed by even the most senior of teachers. Early on in our martial arts education we inquire, what does Sensei mean or why do we call you Sensei?

The answer frequently given is “teacher”, but that’s not wholly true. Quickly, an informed higher rank will interject and state that it means “one who has gone before.” This translation is more accurate but has lead some to argue that Sensei has no etymological links to teaching. So the question remains, why do we call you Sensei?

The original Japanese meaning of the word does not provide great clarification for our question. Japanese kanji was superimposed on the Chinese pictographs. To this end, Japanese kanji have two readings or ways of verbalizing the character. The first is “ON” yomi, which is the Japanese modification of the Chinese reading, and the second reading is “kun” yomi. The writer’s argument is that Sensei means all of the things above and more. Let’s look at the true meaning of Sensei.

The word “Sensei” is a compound word comprising two kanji. The kun readings and various definitions for the first character are:

• saki or mazu which translates as before, ahead, first, previous, future or precedence.
• The Japanese ON modification of “saki” or “mazu” is sen, whereas the Chinese reading is xian. With the Chinese interpretation, we have the character defined in two ways including; ancestors; and, departed parents, or lords & masters.

Now let’s review the second character in “Sensei.”

There are numerous Japanese kun yomi for this character including: ikiru, ikasu, ikeru, umareru, umare, umare, umu, ou, haeru, hayasu, ki, nama, nama, naru, nasu, musu. With respect to defining the character, there are many definitions but these have a central theme of life, genuine, birth, being born, or to live.

The Japanese ON modification is “sei” or “shou”, whereas the Chinese reading of the character is sheng. It is here that our question concerning “Sensei” meaning teacher and one who has gone before begins to surface.

When combined with the previous, the combination indicates one who was born before, or one who teaches on the basis of experience or age. Hence, we can see the Chinese etymology of the characters provides us with the translation for the two common definitions, “teacher” and “one who has gone before.”

In Japan, the word is used on much wider context.

The term “Sensei” is accorded to those whom the speaker believes is in a position of status appreciably more advanced than the speaker. The important aspect is that the person receiving the honorific must be in a elevated status. This includes all teachers whether they teach elementary school, small engine mechanics or the martial arts like us. The actual content or methodology of the instruction is immaterial. In fact, the term “Sensei” may be conjugated with other terms such as “Kocho Sensei” which is a Principal at a school. The vice (or assistant) principal is called “Kyoto Sensei.”

Moreover, there are others who are called “Sensei.” Many Japanese citizens have positions which may call for the use of this term. In a hierarchal society, like Japan, this seems to make sense. For example, doctors, lawyers and even politicians are addressed as “Sensei.” With respect to doctors, there is even a greater expectation that this term be used when addressing them.

Thus we can see that the term “Sensei” is used to show appropriate respect to someone in a position of status which higher than your own, like your martial arts teacher. Using the term “Sensei” can feel awkward when the teacher is younger than the student and in other cases as well. For example, there are events where another higher ranking “Sensei” also refers to his or her student as “Sensei” during class. However, this is contextual. A closer look of such a situation will reveal that there are students whose status is significantly lower than the “junior” Sensei’s within earshot. These students, being under the tutelage of the junior Sensei, see him or her as their Sensei; hence, the elder more experienced Sensei is correct in affording that respect. Conversely, with no students within listening distance the senior Sensei will probably refer to the junior as “______ san” (fill in name) and possibly even “kun” which is a term that refers to boys. This is not derogatory, rather it’s used as a term of familiarity for someone who is considerably lower in terms of relative status.

In concluding, we can review the key constituents of our term “Sensei.” It involves the imparting of knowledge and skills to another person (teaching) based the experience of the imparting person (one who has gone before). Finally, “Sensei” is a term of respect and not one of servility, awe or wonder.

F. Darren Smith

(© 2003)