05/03/2026
Are you a deshi or a customer?
The late Okabayshi Shogen Sensei, founder of the Hakuho-ryu and a peerless master of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu with whom we had multiple opportunities to train at our dojo and elsewhere, made a distinction between two different types of martial arts students. Okabayashi Sensei said that there are customers, and then there are deshi (disciples or apprentices). He stressed that the customer and deshi are treated the same and receive the same instruction. Both may wear the same keikogi (training uniform) and bow upon entering the dojo, yet their relationship to the art, the sensei, and the dojo community reveals two very different paths on the journey of budo.
The customer approaches the dojo with a transactional mindset. They pay their fees, attend scheduled classes, and expect quality instruction in exchange. Training is often a scheduled activity in their busy lives — a hobby for fitness, self-defense skills, or personal development. If the schedule conflicts, progress feels slow, or something upsets them, they might seek alternatives elsewhere without hesitation.
By contrast, a deshi is dedicated to their training in a very different way and come to view themselves as a link in a chain. The term “deshi” implies a deeper apprenticeship marked by loyalty, humility, and service (as Suino Sensei says, “The long arc of martial arts training trends toward service”). Deshi often arrive early to clean the dojo, train with intensity beyond regular hours, and absorb not just techniques but the philosophy and etiquette that define the tradition. Their commitment is personal and profound, viewing the sensei as a mentor rather than a service provider.
These distinctions manifest in daily practice and attitude. A customer might focus primarily on their own improvement and visible results. A deshi embraces the harder aspects — repetitive basics, menial tasks, and long-term perseverance — prioritizing the dojo’s harmony and the preservation of the art over individual convenience or comfort.
In today’s fast-paced world, the deshi represents the heart of traditional martial arts. While customers participate in the dojo, deshi become part of its living legacy. True mastery in budo often requires stepping beyond the customer role into the devoted path of the deshi. What role do you play in your training?
Learn more about the role of the deshi in a traditional dojo at https://www.ittendojo.org/articles/phil-5.
