CHAPTER SIX: A note to all black belts, sensei, sifu, sihing, etc.

Dear black belts, sensei, sifu, sihing, etc., and otherwise leaders of the martial arts community,

Stop addressing yourself by your title as if you were born with it. Seriously. Stop putting your title on websites, business cards, flyers, and seminar ad. Not only does it show your ignorance for how these titles are used to address respected individuals other than yourself, but it's also just tacky.

If someone really wants to know what your title is for training purposes, they will know to ask you or your senior students, and you or they will say, "You may call me/him/her ________" but unless that were to occur, please keep your title to yourself. A layperson looking for training or even a fellow martial artist is not impressed by how long or fancy-sounding your title is. If a person is really curious as to whether or not your ability is worth respect, they will find out for themselves sure enough. Really, nobody cares that you are grand master renshi sifu, 11th dan. Do you know what it means anyway?

Let's take the term "sensei" for a second. Sensei is a Japanese word in origin, and means "teacher". Makes sense that you would use this as a title for black belt,since traditionally black belt are the teachers. But there is a slight problem with this- ANYONE can be a sensei in Japanese culture, as long as they are respected by someone else. This title is used for a regular school teacher, for instance, or a doctor, or just someone older. Japanese people, however, NEVER REFER TO THEMSELVES AS "SENSEI". EVER. It goes back to tradition- respect others, humble yourself. We seem to have lost that.

That being said, it irritates and embarrasses me as a martial artist when someone is interviewed by a newspaper and addresses himself as "Grand Master" or "Hanshi" to the reporter like that is supposed to mean something to the public. All it means is "I'm head guy. Look at me!" when you really ought to be saying, "Hey, look at my hard-working students. Aren't they great?"

Humble pie. And a little linguistic correction. That's all I'm suggesting.