A couple kendo words

[Mike]

Can anyone tell me the difference between a sensei and sempai? Is there a way to know which term or "title" to use with a certain person, unless they tell you beforehand what they are?

And also, do the words kendokas and kenshis mean the same? If not, what is the difference?

[Neil Gendzwill]

Sensei is your teacher. Sempai is another student who is senior to you. You should know who your teacher is and address him as "sensei" or "X-sensei", where X is his last name. Unless your dojo is informal and he prefers that you don't call him sensei. We don't normally address someone as "sempai", or at least I never have. But you should know the relationship and understand that your senior students have something to teach you, and therefore should be treated with respect. In turn, it is their obligation to set a good example for you. Kendoka and kenshi mean the same thing, someone who practices kendo.

[ben]

What Neil said, plus I believe there is a slight difference in tone between kendoka and kenshi. Kendoka is an informal, everyday term with no connotations other than it means someone who practices the way of the sword. Kenshi OTOH has more of a meaning of "sword gentleman". I believe it is more old-fashioned, and may be inappropriate in Japanese circles to use about oneself (same as you don't refer to yourself as Mike-san or Neil-sensei: only others do that). I must say I prefer kenshi because the word has a nicer sound, and rolls of the tongue easier. Call me old-fashioned...

People who know better please correct me.

b

[Okita]

I believe that kendōka is a person who practises kendō, and kenshi is a swordsman, but not necessarily in kendō (e.g. kenjutsuka).

[Zaphiel]

question: kenshi is the same as kenshin ,is it??

[enkorat]

I believe "kenshin" is made up of the words "ken" (Sword) and "shin" (mind or spirit - the same word that makes up zanshin, which has the other reading "kokoro")

I'm pretty sure "kenshi" and "kenshin" aren't the same.

[bullet08]

if i'm not mistaken, kenshin means sword saint.

[Zaphiel]

if i'm not mistaken, kenshin means sword saint.

kensei means sword saint....
kenshin means sword-mind...but couldn't that be a discribtion for a swordsman??

[not-I]

kenshin means sword-mind...but couldn't that be a discribtion for a swordsman??

kenshin = Œ• �S (sword heart/mind)

kenshi = Œ• Žm (sword gentleman = swordsman/fencer)

Kenshin is a spiritual concept, as in "the sword and the mind are one." Kenshi simply refers to someone who practices swordsmanship. While a rare swords(wo)man might manifest kenshin, we can safely say most do not. They might sound similar, but SHIN and SHI are not etymologically related. In fact there are plenty of other SHIN and SHI that have meanings totally unrelated to minds or men. This is typical of kanji.

p.s. it looks like you didn't believe me in the other thread where you asked more or less the same question. i was joking with the "wappler," but nevertheless, it is a good idea to know the name of your own dojo.

[Zaphiel]

mmmmhhh.......it must be that i overread your post...cause i can't remember it...or i simply didn't look at the thread for a long while....