Ron Tisdale

These kind of discussions just...don't do it for me anymore. Nothing against you, your sensei, his school, what ever...I guess I'm just jaded.

At the bottom of this page you will see links to several similar threads. I think they'll make for interesting if not good reading, and you'll definitely see a variety of opinions. This kind of question came up fairly recently, and if you search on sempai and or kohai you should find that thread as well.

Personally, I tend to stay away from these terms...too much cultural baggage for me. But you simply don't always have that luxury. And others (some much more educated in the art and the culture than I am) will tell you it is necessary.

Best,
Ron