Who is a sempai? The meaning of the term, features of use

Fans of Japanese culture and martial arts in particular often use additional suffixes with names. They denote the person's belonging to this or that rank in the system of titles, titles, dans. This tradition has been preserved since antiquity and has still remained. Cases of erroneous or ambiguous interpretation of such terms as Sensei, Nashan, Soke, Kaityo and others are not uncommon. Who is the sempai in this case? Is there any sense in using this term when communicating not in Japanese culture?

Sempai: the meaning

The literal Japanese hieroglyph translates as "comrade" or "standing in front". Sometimes it is added to the person's name and indicates that he has some experience and knowledge in some area. Most often the term is used in educational institutions, colleges, martial arts schools, sports sections and is of particular importance.

The words "sempai" and "kokhai" are antonyms. They are used to clearly divide students into grades. Kokhai is a student who recently came to school, and a sempai is more experienced, engaged in some time, knows certain rules and can become a mentor for others.

Age and previous merit in other schools and sections do not matter. Even a relatively young student can be a senpai for the elderly and having the highest dan or the rank of a person.

Japanese traditions

The culture of this country is such that senior-junior relations have existed since antiquity. The family value system is of particular importance in Japan. The father will always be untouchable. He is the only one with full power. The eldest son will inherit all his rights.

Who is a sempai in modern Japan? It is believed that the established traditional ties of the senior junior are gradually weakening. New generations pass to a different style of communication, more close to the Western model. In modern schools in Japan, you can hear how sempai are also referred to as graduates of school pupils or students, issued a year earlier.

However, a self-respecting Japanese will not start a conversation at the table until the status of all those present is determined. Also, older workers and employees in companies have a slightly higher status than the young. And pay, incentives and bonuses are also based on seniority regardless of the abilities of the person.

Features

What does sempai mean to determine rights and responsibilities? Unwritten rules define the duty of a lower-ranking participant in the system to comply with senior orders. Kokhai should respect the senpas and obey his petty orders without question. He, in turn, is obliged to look after his less experienced student and be responsible for him before a superior leader.

Who is the sempai for kohaya? Seniority is possible only in a homogeneous environment: the sports section, the martial arts school, the company department, the enterprise department. That is, a more experienced locksmith can not be a sempah for only an accountant who has come to the company, and vice versa.

Who is a sempai in a Buddha?

The variety of schools, techniques, currents and trends in Japanese martial arts makes it possible for even a relatively young student of the school to be a sempah for only a newcomer who has come. And it does not depend on how many to whom, where the experience was obtained, what rank was appropriated and what achievements someone has. Anyway, a student who has been at school more time will know better about rules and customs, and therefore has the right to be senior.

Who is the sempai in the teaching process? Theoretically, he knows more about his kind of martial art. But the kohai can be more successful in training and will soon be able to get the highest rank. But he will still remain in the same position all the remaining time, although it will be higher in class. Sempai, in fact, is the same student. He, along with juniors, learns techniques, techniques, hones skill. However, it is he who can communicate more closely with the head of the school. The Kohays are, as it were, enclosed by a wall of senpais from Sensei.

However, a sempai for his ward can not be an absolute commander. To obey unquestioningly the Kohas are only the teachers of the school, Sensei. At the same time, sempai can give instructions on etiquette, manners and rules of conduct in a particular case.

Analogies

What does sempai mean in relation to our culture and established traditions? The most suitable equivalent of such relations can be the term "grandfather", used in the army. Cohays are also often infringed in rights, like young employees. Although this is considered hazing, the leadership of the units often turns a blind eye to such facts, if they do not go far beyond traditional rules.

Moreover, often this kind of subordination makes it possible to accustom only the newcomers to new customs and etiquette. Although not everyone likes this, the system is built in such a way that it is impossible to change the conditions of the game. Beginners understand this and adapt quickly to new rules. Some time will pass and soon they will move to a step higher in the hierarchy. Becoming more experienced, having studied the charter, they themselves will become sempai for newcomers who only came to the system and took their former place.