Often is seems that there are different tittles and names for just about ever Martial Artist and their Brother out there.

The most common title for instructors is Sensei. Sensei is Japanese meaning revered teacher. An equivalent name in Chinese is Sifu. In Korean it is Sabum or Sabu Nim. Some people don’t use these. I can only speak for myself. I had a great deal of training in Fred Wren’s BBKA (Black Belt Karate Association) where everyone of higher rank was call by their “Sir” name. When I was an instructor there I was called Mr. Ray.

I believe that calling an instructor Sensei, Sifu, Sabum, or even Mr. is OK and helps to formalize the interaction between student and instructor. There are other titles; however these seem to be the most common.

Masters and Grand Masters. I actually hold a Master Rank however I don’t throw it into people’s faces. I don’t insist on being called Master. It is only something I make known during official ceremonies (Like promoting students) or to help with enrollment. I try not to live the ego filled life. However I have seen some instructors that insist on being called Master. I don’t know if that is Ego, Pride, or just taught to behave that way by their instructors. If your students or other black belts want to call you Master then that is their prerogative. But to insist that they do, I just don’t get it. Well I guess if you have a lot of black belt students then it would work to place you on a level above them so the regular students can see how it works.

Here is something to remember. I know several Grand Masters and none of them have ever asked me to call them Grandmaster. However, with everybody else calling them Grandmaster I figure that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Right now I teach several classes a week with my good friend Sensei Knight. Before I hooked up with Sensei Knight I was always called Mr. Ray. Now the students call me Sensei. Actually I will answer to almost anything just be sure and don’t call me late for dinner.