Oyama Karate Juku-USA

by Harry Cook

The expression "first born" used by Shakespeare could be easily translated into Japanese by the word”‘ sensei," a word used by Japanese martial artists as a title for their teacher or master. The word sensei is composed of two characters—sen, meaning previous or before and sei, meaning birth or life.

A sensei therefore is someone who has been "born before" you in the system you are studying and is therefore senior to you, or in Shakespearean terms your "better." This is not the same as the western idea of a coach. A sensei can actually do what he teaches, he or she embodies the art, while a coach can teach you how to do something without necessarily being able to perform the skill him or herself.

Teachers are accorded tremendous respect in traditional oriental arts. They are seen as the only real way to progress as without their knowledge, guidance and experience the student would almost certainly make serious errors and so be unable to master his chosen subject. The respect shown to a teacher is referred to in the Chinese classic known as the Li Chi (Book of Rites) a work which deals with both the form and associated morality of correct behavior. We are told that "When you are in company with your teacher, do not go aside of the road to speak to others. When you meet your teacher on the road, run forward, and stand properly to salute him by raising both hands grasped together. If the teacher speaks to you, answer him respectfully. If he does not speak, retire."

In ancient China the relationship between a teacher and student was second only to that of the relationship between a child and parent. The teacher was seen to be the living source of knowledge and as such was to be obeyed, not opposed. Traditionally the sensei was not expected to answer to his students for either his behavior or his teaching methods. His role was to create situations so that the student learned by experience; he was not expected to explain the intricate details of every technique—training was a thing of the heart, not of the mind.

     The history of Sempai is long. The position has existed in warrior groups since

warrior groupsbegan, and is not just a Japanese phenomenon. Originally Sempai was

the most senior warrior in the group, under the group's commander. His responsibility has

always been awesome and harder than anyone elses in the group. He was responsible for the

development and direction of the lower warriors, and for the protection of the leader. No other

position in a warrior group had these responsibilities. In the Japanese martial arts, the position

remains the same.

     The Sempai of a dojo had trained for a long time with the headmaster.  He understood the

headmasters goals, training methodologies and philosophies.  He also understood Sensei

as a warrior and as a person.  More than these understandings, he had privileges and knowledge

about Sensei that other students did not. Thus this made Sensei vulnerable to Sempai.  With that

vulnerability came trust by Sensei and responsibility by Sempai.  With these privileges and knowledge

about Sensei, Sempai had the sole responsibility to protect Sensei with his life.  This often meant that

Sempai was forced to train harder than both the students and the Sensei, for if a student or enemy

saw that Sempai was vulnerable or easily beatable - there was surely an opening to get at Sensei.  In

times of war, Sempai was either the strongest or the weakest link in the command chain.  A Sempai

who was not the strongest was quickly replaced out of necessity.

   Being Sempai meant you were personally responsible for the training of Kohai (juniors).  Upon

review by Sensei, all Kohai must measure up to Sensei's standards or Sempai was directly to blame. 

Sempai was personally responsible for Kohai ettiquette.  This was most important.  Any breaches in

ettiquette in the dojo were repremanded by Sempai, not Sensei. If Sensei had to make the

correction, it simply meant Sempai was not doing his job.  If either of these situations happened

more than a few times, Sempai was replaced with someone who could accomplish the duties

assigned.

Being Sempai also meant you were the only person in the dojo that Sensei completely recognized for

his martial skill. Most often Sempai was the fiercest and smartest person in the warrior group besides

Sensei. The difference is that it was Sensei's position to lead in a calm, controlled and sophisticated 

manner, whereas Sempai maintained control through toughness, fierceness, and a no-nonsense

attitude. 

     It was and is Sempai's responsibility to immediately correct any breach in ettiquette toward

Sensei, correct technical insufficiencies of the Kohai, and dominate in training. You are the dominant

warrior. You maintain the relationship between Sensei and students.  You get the special training

with Sensei. You set and maintain the attitude in the dojo. Traditionally you are the one who

commands the students.  When you see Sensei ready to start class you tell the students to line up. 

You tell the students to Bow to Sensei.  You reprimand when they are fooling around instead of

training.  You save the new student from abuse by more experienced students. You are solely

responsible for resetting the tone of a group of students if it is going in the wrong direction.  At the

 same time - you are the person most looked up to in the dojo. You are recognized as the person

nobody wants to mess with. You are the one the students watch when you contest with Sensei -

because they know you are the one most likely to catch Sensei if or, when he makes a technical

mistake.

     Sempai should make every effort to be at Sensei's dojo as often as possible.  (In warrior history it

was always - but today's modern society - not at war - often means making it to class as often as

practical.) The Sempai should always be concerned that some other student is receiving more

training than him, is training harder than him, and is perhaps taking over his position without him

knowing it. 

    The Sempai should not rush toward being a Sensei in his own dojo.  Because all of these duties,

which a correctly chosen Sempai's personality is natural for, will go away.  In order to be Sensei you

must re-invent yourself and become something else.  When that day comes - a true Sempai will look

back on his days as Sempai as the "glory days", which he will sorely long for the rest of his days.

Enjoy these days. This is what it means to be Sempai.

The Role of a Sempai

 Seniors are generally considered those members ranked Sankyu (Brown belt) or higher. (Although,

technically anyone of higher rank is a Sempai.)

Being a Sempai is an important role within the Dojo. A Sempai is a position of trust, honor, and

responsibility.

Sempai should teach students how to bow, tie their obi, proper etiquette, and assist the Sensei with

instruction.

Sempai should ensure that the Dojo remains clean.

Sempai should always be encouraging and helpful and should never criticize or tear down their Kohai

(juniors).

Sempai should train frequently and harder than other students, thus setting an example.

Sempai should have the class lined up properly and ready for training when Semsei steps onto the

floor.

Sempai should be positive, kind, and display respect, thus showing proper budo.

Sempai should maintain dojo discipline and correct violations of etiquette or policy by taking one

aside and instructing him gently and with respect. Never embarrass anyone.

Sempai should learn the names of all students

Always research any question that a Kohai asks. When unsure of the correct answer a Sempai should

never guess and should refer the question to Sensei.