Chapter 8 (Karate Titles)

 

Karate Titles

👉Dai-Sempai:

Dai means “big” and hence title means “big brother of the class” ( given to a 1^st kyu brown belt)

👉Senpai/Sempai:

 Sempai means “mentor” or “senior” often used for an assistant instructor (usually 1^st and 2^nd dan)

👉Sensei: 

 Sensei means “one who came before”(given at 1^st dan). It is used to indicate a fully capable teacher (after getting 6 months of training for becoming an instructor)

 

👉Shihan: 

It is a master title for a senior instructor (given at 5^th dan or 40 yrs of age)

👉Renshi: 

It is a master title meaning “polished expert” (given at 6th dan & ownwards or 50 yrs of age)

👉Kyoshi: 

It is a master title meaning “teacher of teachers” (given at 7th dan or ownwards)

👉Hanshi: 

It is a master title for the head master of a style. (given at 70 yrs of age)

👉Soke: 

It is an absolute head of a particular Karate style. (e.g. Hirokazu Kanawaza - Shotakan)

👉Shodai-Soke: 

It is used for the founder of a particular Karate style. (e.g. Gichin Funakoshi - Shotakan)