Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido crest and title badge
Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido crest and title badge
Labelling the titles with cherry blossoms
The basic colours of the round “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido” crest are black and red. White outlines on the lettering and the logo emphasise the badge. The coat of arms and symbol of “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido” is the dragon, which is shown in red. Inside the dragon is the white lettering “Bushido”. Above the dragon is the red lettering “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, below the dragon are the characters of the “Gorin-No-Sho”, the five elements of Miyamoto Musashi: earth, water, fire, wind and emptiness, in order from left to right. The white cherry blossom of the samurai is placed between the lettering and the characters on both sides. The kanji lettering for “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido” (dragon) is not included in the coat of arms, as bushido is a more important component of this martial art and “Tatsu-Ryu” only describes a single path. The martial art “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido ®” and the coat of arms have been registered and protected as a trade mark by the German Patent Office since 2007!
In “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, students are referred to as “Seito” (formerly Deshi). Students in the 10th + 9th kyu grades are referred to as “seito-ho” (young student or student candidate), which indicates the basic level before the beginner level. From 8th to 1st kyu grade inclusive, students are referred to as “Seito”. In addition, the most experienced student in a dojo who is not a “senpai” usually holds the position of “O-Seito” (highest student). The O-Seito is appointed by the headmaster. As early as 1995, a labelling system was introduced alongside the new belt system in order to highlight the level of training with additional teaching qualifications. Since 2008, the five titles: Senpai, Sensei-ho, Sensei, Shihan and Saiko-Shihan, have been labelled with uniform white cherry blossoms above the coat of arms.
SENPAI (Japanese 先輩) is the term for an older student. Neither age nor graduation within a martial art play a role here, but the age is counted from the beginning of training in a martial art. The word describes a subjective perspective. In “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, this can be acquired through an additional instructor qualification with an examination and at least the 4th Kyu grade. He usually supports a Sensei-Ho and takes over individual beginner groups independently. The title can be worn up to and including the 2nd Dan grade if no Sensei Ho is appointed.
- Marking: 1 white cherry blossom
SENSEI-HO (jap. [SZ]), young instructors or lower instructors, are instructors who gain experience to attain the title “Sensei”. They are also known as “Omote – form students / performance grades”. However, they should not be labelled as sensei, as they are at the beginning of the dan grades and should gain the necessary experience to become a disciple. In “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, he carries the 1st or 2nd dan grade if he is promoted to the rank of sensei-ho, but can also remain a senpai. As a rule, he leads a dojo independently under the supervision of a sensei or assumes a leading position in the dojo. He should have a recognised instructor qualification with examination (e.g. DOSB or comparable).
- Marking: 2 white cherry blossoms
SENSEI (Japanese 先生, born earlier) means “teacher”, “master” or “doctor”. The term is used in the field of martial arts for a teacher. In the narrower sense, the term means “teacher of the way”. The title is normally held by holders of a black belt from the 3rd Dan degree upwards. This is also referred to as “Okuden – disciple of the way”. In “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, this title should be obtained via a recognised instructor qualification with examination (e.g. DOSB or comparable) and by attaining the 3rd Dan degree. This title is worn up to and including the 5th dan grade. He is the instructor who is responsible for planning and supervising the activities of the dojo under his authority in his province.
- Marking: 3 white kish flowers
SHIHAN (Japanese 師範, teacher, role model) is a title for a teacher. The minimum requirement in most martial arts is the 5th dan and a further period of time until appointment as shihan. In “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, a master is in charge of several provinces and, as a master grade, is the guiding light for the path in “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”. He holds at least the 6th dan grade and has completed all levels of training.
- Marking: 4 white cherry blossoms
SAIKO SHIHAN (Japanese 最高師範, supreme master) is the head of a style or school and is known as the supreme master or grandmaster – the highest technical authority. He has the highest Dan degree in this martial art. This is currently Christian Wiederanders. As the head of the martial art, he can also be referred to as SOKE (Japanese 祖家, head). The title stands for the founder or guardian of a style and is only awarded once. In “Tatsu-Ryu-Bushido”, this carries at least the 7th dan grade.
- Marking: 5 white cherry blossoms
