Sensei getting a promotion, how to congratulate?

It seems like my sensei is getting a pretty significant promotion soon. What's an appropriate way for a student to offer congratulations? A gift? If so, what? A card? A letter? A flower bouquet? A chia pet? A round of drinks at a favorite bar? Any and all ideas appreciated.

We usually go for a dojo meal, followed by drinks. Last time the dojo members also contributed toward a small gift to commemorate the occassion.

Don't worry about cards - letters and flowers - a nice bottle of malt whisky and a Chinese meal always goes down a treat.

Henry Ellis
Co-author ` Positive Aikido `
http://kazuo-chiba-sensei.blogspot.com/
http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/
http://rik-ellis.blogspot.com/

Cookies - trust me. Nothing says congrats better than chocklate chip

Henry Ellis wrote: Don't worry about cards - letters and flowers - a nice bottle of malt whisky and a Chinese meal always goes down a treat. Henry Ellis Co-author ` Positive Aikido ` http://kazuo-chiba-sensei.blogspot.com/ http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/ http://rik-ellis.blogspot.com/

This would be good for normal promotion, but you missed significant part.

I such case only huge party is appropriate. You start normally with governor speech, then city major and its council followed by dojo officials' speeches and the gifts. This is particularly important if your sensei is a Japanese one.

You shall prepare a short video about a path that lead sensei to this particular point in his life, mixing old 8mm videos when he still could do hanmi handachi waza against multiple attackers with old, already yellowed photos…it should be followed by the toasts with French champagne (fifty simultaneous HURRAYYY!!) and extra big cake cooked for this particular festivity by the best bakery in the town. Sensei should get a rare opportunity to cut the cake with his antique Japanese blade. During whole party two of pretties' aiki dojo girls are serving first quality Japanese sake every time sensei emptying his glass.

Party can be assessed successful, if sensei needed a help of two strongest dojo members to get to his home. Usually at 6 a.m. next morning sensei requires everybody on the tatami for extraordinary purification by one hour of koshinage.

hope it helps.

Szczepan Janczuk wrote: This would be good for normal promotion, but you missed significant part. I such case only huge party is appropriate. You start normally with governor speech, then city major and its council followed by dojo officials' speeches and the gifts. This is particularly important if your sensei is a Japanese one. You shall prepare a short video about a path that lead sensei to this particular point in his life, mixing old 8mm videos when he still could do hanmi handachi waza against multiple attackers with old, already yellowed photos…it should be followed by the toasts with French champagne (fifty simultaneous HURRAYYY!!) and extra big cake cooked for this particular festivity by the best bakery in the town. Sensei should get a rare opportunity to cut the cake with his antique Japanese blade. During whole party two of pretties' aiki dojo girls are serving first quality Japanese sake every time sensei emptying his glass. Party can be assessed successful, if sensei needed a help of two strongest dojo members to get to his home. Usually at 6 a.m. next morning sensei requires everybody on the tatami for extraordinary purification by one hour of koshinage. hope it helps.

Szczepan Janczuk wrote: This would be good for normal promotion, but you missed significant part. I such case only huge party is appropriate. You start normally with governor speech, then city major and its council followed by dojo officials' speeches and the gifts. This is particularly important if your sensei is a Japanese one. You shall prepare a short video about a path that lead sensei to this particular point in his life, mixing old 8mm videos when he still could do hanmi handachi waza against multiple attackers with old, already yellowed photos…it should be followed by the toasts with French champagne (fifty simultaneous HURRAYYY!!) and extra big cake cooked for this particular festivity by the best bakery in the town. Sensei should get a rare opportunity to cut the cake with his antique Japanese blade. During whole party two of pretties' aiki dojo girls are serving first quality Japanese sake every time sensei emptying his glass. Party can be assessed successful, if sensei needed a help of two strongest dojo members to get to his home. Usually at 6 a.m. next morning sensei requires everybody on the tatami for extraordinary purification by one hour of koshinage. hope it helps.

This is the most ridiculous things I have ever had the mishonor of reading. It's so poorly thought out, I had to quote the entire thing.

EVERYONE knows you don't buy the cake from a bakery. A senior student should have attended Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie years in advance, all in anticipation of this divine event. Then they create an entirely new type of baked good. One that lives up to their sensei's life and reminds all of their greatness.

Buying a cake...geez... peasants.....

I think you should congrats what ever you name is and let it go at that.

Significant promotions often come with significant fees. Putting together a dojo contribution to help with those fees would be appropriate and appreciated.

And probably easier to manage than sending a student back in time to attend Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie.

Katherine

Awww Katherine beat me to it - Your sensei contributes a LOT to your dojo development - can the dojo contribute to the sensei's promotion fees? (cash collection only) AND have a party followed by an hour of koshinage...