11/03/2024
Warning long post - My journey in martial arts has been long, but is by no means over and I have enjoyed every step so far. It all started 47 years ago and thus far I have achieved 8th Dan in Kempo Jujitsu and 4th Degree in Dacayana Eskrima, there are more but these are the ones that matter to me. I have had the amazing fortune to be graded by some amazing people over the years, all of who I consider to be among the very best there are, amd for whom I will always give the greatest respect and friendship although some have sadly passed. Some of the people of note include GM Bob Rose, SGM Ed Parker, Terry Coughtrey Hanshi, Jo Biggs Hanshi, Joe Carslake Hanshi, Martin Carslake Hanshi, Malcolm Keith Sensei, Russell Stutely, Marcie Harding, GM Alberto Alicaway Dacayana Jr and British Martial Arts & Boxing Association - BMABA. I found myself with a moral dilema, I am redesigning our club website, with the idea od engaging more students and part of this is how do I present myself. The most popular clubs all seem to refer to their senior instructor as Master, my question to myself was should I do this? 10 years ago I was awarded the title of Shihan by Joe Carslake Hanshi and Shihan loosley translates as 'Master Instructor' so why not use the English 'Master' so I though I would give it a try - Here is the strange thing, I COULD NOT TYPE IT! So I started to analyse this and came to several conclusions. 'Master implies that I know everything I have been taught and everything all those in the list above know. Slightly implausible and also in my mind indicates that my journey is over i.e The End. 'Shihan' to me says I have reached a way point on my journey, and that thankfully I have some way to go. So thank you and respect to you all, and despite my blindness, my training, teaching and journey in martial arts and life will continue and the end is nowhere in sight
