If the victim in this case were Japanese, I wonder if he would have protested the same way. The fact is both "accused" and "victim" are Westerners. Is it a Westerner Sensei trying to play it the Japanese way? Or a Westerner student considering corporal punishment as abuse? A slap on the cheek can hardly be considered corporal punishment, but it has a great effect on the receiver's morale and self-esteem. It is basically a dominance manifestation, such as a father correcting his child. But ultimately it all depends on the relationship one has with his teacher. I would actually accept to be slapped by my teacher, and won't make a big deal of it. But a few years ago when I hardly knew him, this same idea would have been totally unacceptable.
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