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Also known as "Young Sensei", this refers to the man who was the thirty something year old headmaster of the Daizen Calligraphy Schoo. Master of the shodo, he has been unable to produce a poem better than "Crimson Leaves, Falling" since he gained his new job. When he recently was interviewed, the reporter was in awe over his job, however lacked the interest in the particular form of calligraphy. She had, in his opinion asked the wrong questions. See the "Depression" Wiki page for more info on what this means. |
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{{one source|date=July 2010}} |
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{{refimprove|date=June 2006}} |
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{{Essay-like|date=September 2012}} |
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{{Merge to|Japanese honorifics#Sensei_and_hakase|discuss=Talk:Japanese_honorifics#Merger proposal|date=September 2012}} |
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{{Zen Buddhism}} |
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'''{{nihongo|Sensei|[[wiktionary:先生|先生]]|}}''' is a [[Japanese language|Japanese]] word that is literally translated as "person born before another".<ref>Kōjien Japanese dictionary, entry for 先生.</ref> In general usage, it is used, with proper form, after a person's name, and means "teacher",<ref>Kenkyusha's New Japanese-English Dictionary, entry for "sensei"</ref> and the word is used as a [[Japanese titles|title]] to refer to or address [[teacher]]s, [[professor]]s, professionals such as [[lawyer]]s, [[Certified Public Accountant|CPA]] and [[Physician|doctor]]s, [[politician]]s, [[clergyman|clergymen]], and other figures of authority.<ref>Secrets of the Samurai, Ratti & Westbrook, Tuttle, 1973</ref> The word is also used to show respect to someone who has achieved a certain level of mastery in an art form or some other skill: accomplished puppeteers, [[novelist]]s, [[musician]]s, and [[artist]]s for example are addressed in this way. Certain senseis enjoy writing poetry, but become depressed when others do not take interest in their skilled calligraphy. |
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==Etymology== |
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The two characters that make up the term can be directly translated as "born before" and implies one who teaches based on wisdom from age and experience.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jun Akiyama |url=http://www.aikiweb.com/language/goldsbury1.html |title=AikiWeb Aikido Information: Language: Sensei/Shihan as "Teacher" in Japanese |publisher=Aikiweb.com |date= |accessdate=2010-12-02}}</ref> |
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The word prefaced by the adjective 大, pronounced "dai" (or "ō"), which means "great" or "large", is often translated "grand master". This compound term, "dai-sensei", is sometimes used to refer to the top sensei in a particular school or tradition, particularly within the [[iemoto]] system. For a more senior member of a group who has not achieved the level of sensei, the term '''{{nihongo|[[senpai]]|[[wiktionary:先輩|先輩]]}}''' is used – note the common use of 先 "before"; in martial arts, this is particularly used for the most senior non-sensei member. |
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The Japanese expression of 'sensei' shares the same characters as the [[Chinese language|Chinese]] word 先生, pronounced '''xiānshēng''' in [[Standard Chinese]]. Xiansheng was a courtesy title for a man of respected stature, but was pronounced SenSeng in [[Middle Chinese]].{{fact|date=September 2013}} In modern Standard Chinese it is used in the same way as the title "Mr." Prior to the development of the modern [[vernacular]], ''xiansheng'' was used to address teachers of both genders; this has fallen out of usage in Standard Chinese, though it is retained in some southern Chinese dialects such as [[Cantonese]], [[Hokkien]], [[Teochew]] and [[Hakka (language)|Hakka]] where it still has the meaning "teacher" or "doctor". In Japanese, ''sensei'' is still used to address people of both genders. It is likely both the current Southern Chinese and Japanese usages are more reflective of its [[Middle Chinese]] [[etymology]]. |
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== Use in Buddhism == |
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In [[Sanbo Kyodan]] related [[zen]] schools, ''sensei'' is used to refer to ordained teachers below the rank of [[rōshi]]. However, other schools of [[Japanese Buddhism]] use the term for any priest regardless of seniority; for example, this title is also used for [[Jōdo Shinshū]] ministers in the [[United States]], whether they are ethnic Japanese or not. In the [[Kwan Um School of Zen]], according to [[Zen master]] [[Seung Sahn]], the title Ji Do Poep Sa Nim is much like the Japanese title "sensei".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kwanumzen.org/1987/inka-means-strong-center-and-wisdom/ |title=Zen Master Seung Sahn - Inka Means Strong Center and Wisdom |publisher=Kwanumzen.org |date= |accessdate=2011-12-06}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* [[Japanese martial arts titles]] |
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* [[Rōshi]] |
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* [[Chinese language|Chinese]]: [[sifu]] |
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* [[Sanskrit]]: [[guru]] |
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* [[Zen ranks and hierarchy]] |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.judoinfo.com/sensei1.htm What is a Sensei in Judo?] |
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* [http://karatecoaching.com/what-is-sensei-%E5%85%88%E7%94%9F-who-can-be-a-sensei/ Karate: What is a Sensei in Karate?] |
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{{Buddhism topics}} |
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[[Category:Japanese honorifics]] |
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[[Category:Titles and rank in Japanese martial arts]] |
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[[Category:Zen terms]] |
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[[Category:Buddhist titles]] |
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Revision as of 23:05, 16 October 2014
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Sensei (先生) is a Japanese word that is literally translated as "person born before another".[1] In general usage, it is used, with proper form, after a person's name, and means "teacher",[2] and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority.[3] The word is also used to show respect to someone who has achieved a certain level of mastery in an art form or some other skill: accomplished puppeteers, novelists, musicians, and artists for example are addressed in this way. Certain senseis enjoy writing poetry, but become depressed when others do not take interest in their skilled calligraphy.
Etymology
The two characters that make up the term can be directly translated as "born before" and implies one who teaches based on wisdom from age and experience.[4]
The word prefaced by the adjective 大, pronounced "dai" (or "ō"), which means "great" or "large", is often translated "grand master". This compound term, "dai-sensei", is sometimes used to refer to the top sensei in a particular school or tradition, particularly within the iemoto system. For a more senior member of a group who has not achieved the level of sensei, the term senpai (先輩) is used – note the common use of 先 "before"; in martial arts, this is particularly used for the most senior non-sensei member.
The Japanese expression of 'sensei' shares the same characters as the Chinese word 先生, pronounced xiānshēng in Standard Chinese. Xiansheng was a courtesy title for a man of respected stature, but was pronounced SenSeng in Middle Chinese.[citation needed] In modern Standard Chinese it is used in the same way as the title "Mr." Prior to the development of the modern vernacular, xiansheng was used to address teachers of both genders; this has fallen out of usage in Standard Chinese, though it is retained in some southern Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka where it still has the meaning "teacher" or "doctor". In Japanese, sensei is still used to address people of both genders. It is likely both the current Southern Chinese and Japanese usages are more reflective of its Middle Chinese etymology.
Use in Buddhism
In Sanbo Kyodan related zen schools, sensei is used to refer to ordained teachers below the rank of rōshi. However, other schools of Japanese Buddhism use the term for any priest regardless of seniority; for example, this title is also used for Jōdo Shinshū ministers in the United States, whether they are ethnic Japanese or not. In the Kwan Um School of Zen, according to Zen master Seung Sahn, the title Ji Do Poep Sa Nim is much like the Japanese title "sensei".[5]
See also
References
- ^ Kōjien Japanese dictionary, entry for 先生.
- ^ Kenkyusha's New Japanese-English Dictionary, entry for "sensei"
- ^ Secrets of the Samurai, Ratti & Westbrook, Tuttle, 1973
- ^ Jun Akiyama. "AikiWeb Aikido Information: Language: Sensei/Shihan as "Teacher" in Japanese". Aikiweb.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
- ^ "Zen Master Seung Sahn - Inka Means Strong Center and Wisdom". Kwanumzen.org. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
