What is a karate instructor called?

Answer 1

Sensei: in Japanese means person born before another, but more generally means Teacher.

Karate: In Japanese, "kara" means empty and "te" means hand. Karate is a non weapons based martial art that was created in Okinawa because the emperor had banned all weapons and the villagers needed to protect themselves.

Answer 2

The name for a karate instructor varies by tradition from style to style. A lead instructor is a Hanshi by title, but prefers to be called Sensei.

Some schools base it on on rank:

• First and second dan - Sensei
• Third and fourth dan - Koshi
• Fifth dan - Shihan
• Sifu for Chinese arts
• Japanese arts is Sensei

Answer 3

In Japanese it is "Sensei", which also actually is a title given to any teacher, professor, or any other figure of authority in the Japanese language, not just in Martial Arts. The language can vary in other styles such as Korean, Chinese, etc.

Although you can say "master" a lot of teachers I know who haven't let it go to their head prefer NOT to be called "master". The idea behind that is because you can never truly master the martial arts. It is a life long, continuous study.

Answer 4

It depends, but normally you call them sensei. Meaning 'someone that has gone before' Sensei is showing them respect. Depending on their rank, they may have other titles such as Hanshi. When I'm in the dojo, I call my instructor sensei. When we aren't in the dojo, I call him Bob.

Answer 5

Sensei is the proper term for the teacher in a dojo. It is used for whomever is teaching the class. Some dojo only use the term for the senior instructor in a school. There are other titles that are awarded or earned, but when talking with the instructor, Sir or Sensei are appropriate as is Mr. xxx or Miss xxx if you know their last name (and you should know their last name).

Answer 6

A karate instructor is usually called "Sensei" or master. Sensei means "one who has gone before" or teacher in Japanese.

Answer 7

Japanese schools - Students refer to their teacher as sensei. Often the sempai, the dojo head's senior student, conducts classes for the kids.

Answer 8

In most schools they would be referred to as sensei. The word means 'one who had gone before.'