What is a Martial Arts Teacher?

Transmission through Space and Time

Japanese martial arts commonly use Sensei (先生) meaning “teacher” or literally translated, “born first” or “one who has gone before”. A Sensei is a person who has knowledge and is willing to teach that knowledge to another. A Sensei assists students in ken shiki “the pursuit of knowledge”.  Sōke (宗家), meaning “the head family or house,” is sometimes used to refer to “founder of a style” because many modern sōke are the first generation headmasters of their art, but most correctly refers to the current head. A sōke is considered the ultimate authority within their art and has the authority to issue a menkyo kaiden certificate indicating that someone has mastered all aspects of the style.

At Tenshinkai Dojo New Jersey, Alexander Daibō Kōjin (大波 廣仁) Biagioli is Shibuchou of Tenshinkai New Jersey, which means Branch dojo leader, and is the term for any official training group where the dan grade holds teaching permission from the Sohonbucho and of course Soke.  I teach under the permission and supervision of Luciano Gabriel Morgenstern Shinryu Sensei to help spread the practice of Mugai Ryu Iaido in the United States.