After I got permission to teach martial arts from my Sensei, I came back to my home town and opened a Dojo and began teaching. The students would ask me what they could call me. Some of them would ask me, shall we call you Sensei? , I could not accept being called Sensei, so I would tell them please call me Duke or Mr. Meade. Even though I had permission to teach, I felt that the word Sensei was too precious a title to be calling someone who does not have much teaching experience , as well as other character that comes with that title.
In Japan, when saying someone's name, you must put San at the end of it to show politeness, but when you put Sensei after someones name , you are indicating lots of respect, because only the most respected people are called Sensei. Lots of responsibility comes with that title!
Only now, after 17 years of teaching , Humbly, I can accept being called Sensei.
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