I'm open for possibilities. I'm open for choices. I
always welcome new ideas. I'm always eager to learn. I'm never going to close
my mind from learning.
---Cesar
Millan; The Dog Whisperer
In Japanese culture, the
relationship between the teacher, or mentor, and the student is very important.
The Sempai (mentor) is crucial to the success of the Kohai (eager student).
Both teacher and student have a responsibility to one another and, in the best
circumstances, both Sempai and Kohai benefit from the relationship they
share—inside and outside of the Dojo.
To be Kohai implies a
responsibility to learn. A good Kohai will listen to his Sempai and will take
instruction willingly. We all know that a student is someone who learns. But
the Kohai is enthusiastic, ready, willing, and raring to go. So, to be Kohai, or an “eager student” we
want to be all of these things towards learning. By accepting the lessons of
our teaching with zeal and a positive attitude, we will become better students
who learn faster and become better in everything we do.
Similarly, the role of Sempai
also implies a responsibility. The Sempai is responsible to his or her Kohai
and should always strive to perform to the best of his or her ability.
Ultimately, the Sempai must always train to be “one step ahead” of the
Kohai—not in order to show off or seem important, but instead to be the best
teacher possible for the student. The Sempai must earn his or her title every
day, and the Kohai must eagerly learn as much as he or she can. In such a
virtuous cycle of willingness, excellence is sure to follow. Black Belt Excellence
is the essence, the pure result of a proper Kohai/Sempai relationship.
To better understand the
Kohai/Sempai relationship, think about the role a senior medical doctor plays
in the life of a medical student. When the student arrives at the hospital to
begin his internship, she is in the middle of a very long road to becoming a
medical expert in his chosen specialty. If the intern wants to succeed and be
the best in her field, she will show up on time; she will complete her
assignments; she will eagerly strive to learn everything she can from her
mentor, the senior doctor. By doing so, the intern will eventually develop
enough expertise to one day become the mentor for a future intern. The student,
if properly motivated and acting as a Kohai, will eventually become the mentor.
Similarly, the senior doctor
will be motivated to be the best he can be so as to be an inspiration to his
erstwhile student. He will demonstrate proficiency; he will confidently explain
all that he knows and be willing to instruct his protégé in all the methods and
practices of his medical specialty. In order to do this, the senior doctor will
constantly train and educate himself and will daily earn the title of mentor.
He will, in other words, be the best Sempai he can be.
Inside the Dojo, remember
that Sensei is your Sempai. Your instructors are at the front of the class
because they first learned to be Kohai, and have eagerly accepted the lessons
of their seniors in the Martial Arts. If you want to demonstrate the best of
Black Belt Excellence, start with being the best example of Kohai you can be. Try
to be a Kohai outside of Tristar classes as well. In school, at home or work
becoming a Kohai will help you to become a Black Belt Champion and the best you
can be!
“Kohai means to be an…?”
“Eager Student, Sir!”
