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Old 08-14-2009, 02:34 PM   #37
Ryan Seznee
Dojo: Does it matter?
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 102
United_States
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Re: Sempai/Kohai Relationship in Aikido

Quote:
Ron Tisdale wrote: View Post
Hi Walter,

It's not that I'm a purist, and I certainly wouldn't poopoo it. I think it sounds like it worked well in that situation. In general, though, I usually don't see a good understanding of what that relationship is supposed to be (culturally), I see issues with some claiming authority they don't have, and sometimes even people trying to be more Japanese than the Japanese.

There is no guarantee that these things will happen, and I'm convinced that there are some notable exceptions. And also places where the terms are used and simply not made a big deal of.

In general though, especially given how the relationship is sometimes badly abused in Japan, I'm not sure at all of the benefits of translating that to western cultures.

As I've said a few times now though, its not a big deal...I was just mentioning it in passing. If I thought all this would have come from it, I'd a shut my mouth and swallowed....

Best,
Ron
Ron, I am not saying that we sit and try to learn Japanese while sipping green tea, munching on sushi, and watch sumo wressling at my dojo. I have met people like that, and they are annoying

I am saying I am using a term to describe a relationship that fits the deffinition of the term. I repeat (because I have still not gotten an answer from you), do you use ireminage instead of "entering throw" and such terms or is that "more Japanese than the Japanese"? If so, what is the differance is Sempai? Do you also have a problem with Sensei?
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