“Sensei” is a Japanese honorific used to show respect for teachers, mentors, and authorities, including those in the arts, law, and medicine. It is also used in martial arts and religious practices. Visitors to Japan should pay attention to how people are addressed and follow their lead. The term is not always used for socially powerful individuals and can be used sarcastically.
“Sensei” is a Japanese honorific that is roughly equivalent to “gentleman” or “Mr.” in English, although the Japanese refer to both men and women as “sensei”. This title is used as a mark of respect for someone who is regarded as a teacher, mentor, or authority. Practitioners of art forms originating in Japan may address their instructors as “sensei”, whether their teachers are Japanese or not.
This term can mean “teacher” or “master”. Lawyers, doctors and teachers are addressed with this honorific, and the term is also used to describe someone who has achieved a high level of skill in the arts, or someone who is regarded as an authority on an art form such as music. dance. , painting or poetry. Many skilled artists and craftsmen in Japan are also teachers, making the term particularly appropriate. In disciplines such as martial arts and religious practice, this term is used to refer to high-ranking individuals and instructors, and the most widespread use of this honorific outside of Japan is in martial arts, where people refer to an instructor or mentor such as a sensei.
Japan has a culture with many very complex social rules and conventions that regulate the use of terms like “sensei”, as well as regulate rules of behavior. Honors and other marks of respect are very important to many Japanese people, especially older people and people from more traditional families.
Travelers to Japan should take note of how people are presented and how they are addressed by others. If a visitor is introduced to “Sensei Natsume,” for example, he should use “Sensei” or “Sensei Natsume” when addressing this person, unless he is instructed to do otherwise. Following other people’s lead will make a positive impression on Japanese hosts, facilitating social interactions. This makes it much easier to do business in Japan or have the opportunity to access uniquely Japanese experiences that can be shown to strangers with great reluctance.
Gaining the honor of being called a sensei usually includes rising to a level of high social status, but not everyone in a socially powerful position is a sensei. For example, businessmen who head large companies are treated with respect, but are not considered sensei. Many Japanese are also very sensitive to the use of the term in reference to popular public figures. The term can also be used with a sarcastic note in some cases, to indicate that someone has an exaggerated personal opinion of themselves.
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