Academic titles and the martial arts

Since the martial arts boom a few decades ago, the ranking levels of so-called experts in the U.S. have dramatically increased. During the early ‘50s and ‘60s, it was apparently enough for one to be ranked as shodan or nidan to garner the respect of peers. With the competition to outdo each other, though, it seems the Internet is now full of sites with 6th, 7th, even 8th and 9th dans, many still below the age of 30.

Faced with increasing demand for absurdly higher levels, one well-known martial arts group based on popular Japanese ninja mythology has started issuing 12th dan and higher rank certificates. To appease their associates’ self-esteem (as well as to generate more cash flow), this organization even raised the bar for their black belt members from the original 10-dan grade system to an unprecedented 15-dan grade system.

Seemingly as important as martial arts ranks, many also insist on assuming impressive sounding titles along with their lofty status. First it was enough to refer to one’s instructor as “sensei” or “master,” but then “grandmaster” became the current craze. Not to be outdone, many now even insist on being called “great grandmaster” by their more gullible followers.

And of course, most everyone is familiar with how the Japanese title “soke” has been misappropriated by the fringe element within the Western martial arts community. One self-appointed “expert” and leader of a small martial arts organization personally claims more than two dozen such preposterous titles to his credit, including "Supreme Grandmaster." (His devotees are notorious for publicly kicking each other full strength in the groin and striking one another in the throat, so maybe this self-styled professor's extensive résumé of outlandish titles is not so unexpected under the circumstances.)

Although many may consider the use of self-appointed titles somewhat unethical, no laws or legal regulations are being broken. There are no explicit or implicit rules for the martial arts. No specific credentials or government-approved licenses are required to practice or to teach the martial arts.

'The self-styled "grandmasters" and "sokes" are the whores of the martial arts community'

In their attempt to shroud themselves in a smoke screen of professionalism, though, many are now adopting academic titles, such as “doctor” or “professor,” or even adding “Ph.D.” to the end of their names, often based on “honorary” degrees awarded by rather dubious institutions. What most do not realize, however, is that such academic titles are frequently strictly regulated and may be illegal to use without having recognized and accredited credentials.

The newsletter editor for the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Frank Sanchez defends this practice by such instructors, claiming most have spent more years pursuing their martial arts ranks than scholars spend achieving degrees from accredited universities. He justifies this position because many martial arts instructors have adopted such titles "for decades."

Mr. Sanchez further suggests they have the right to use any such academic title if is  “awarded by a reputable…martial arts organization from Japan, China, Hawaii, the Philippines, etc.” (Click here to read the complete excerpt of Mr. Sanchez’s WHFSC newsletter article.)

Based in Florida, the World Head of Family Sokeship Council claims to be the largest such organization and the “most elite and prestigious grandmasters council in the world.” Yet the false claim of an academic title or degree in Florida is actually a crime.

The fact that some martial arts instructors or styles have adopted this illegal practice unchallenged for years certainly does not justify their actions. Just because someone has not been prosecuted for committing an illegal or criminal act doesn't make it legal.

Many legitimate and serious practitioners and instructors personally consider the martial arts to be a profession, much like teaching any other academic subject at the post-secondary levels. There is no doubt that many have also dedicated a significant proportion of their lives to pursuing and even excelling in their own study of the martial arts.

Unfortunately, there is no real rationale for this conviction. To be legitimately considered a profession in Western society, practitioners must monitor one another to ensure compliance with a set of commonly accepted ethical standards and reject those who violate them.

At present, there are no commonly accepted standards or even basic guidelines for the martial arts. Certainly there is no commonly accepted official body, either government-sponsored or voluntary, to police those teaching martial arts. Despite all the legitimate and reputable instructors out there, there are also convicted pedophiles, frauds, and even murderers parading as martial arts “grandmasters” and “sokes.”

One well-known Japanese-style martial arts instructor and author of numerous magazine articles and books on the subject is afraid the continued unethical and often illegal practices of such “grandmasters” degrades the character of those serious about teaching martial arts as well as the public’s confidence at large. For obvious reasons, he requested his name be withheld.

“The self-styled ‘grandmasters’ and ‘sokes’ are the whores of the martial arts community,” he explains. “Prostitutes sell their bodies for money. These guys sell their personal reputation to anyone willing to pay their price for mutual recognition and some vague illusion of authority, respect, or legitimacy. Ultimately, this hurts the martial arts as a whole and may well eventually lead to government controls.”

Various martial arts schools and associations have tried to incorporate a code of ethics for their adherents. Many of these are well-intentioned efforts to set a basic standard of conduct for members. Others are simply empty platitudes without even the semblance of monitoring their colleagues, much less enforcing compliance.

Despite many failed attempts to set a mutually agreeable ethical standard, the martial arts community will probably never reach any consensus. Considering the multitude of styles and the diversity of opinions regarding acceptable behavior, it is highly improbable the martial arts will ever implement self-regulating standards like the movie or media industries.

As undesirable as it may seem, the government may be the only legal authority with the ability to ensure compliance and control the martial arts. Increasing publicity about the large number of indiscretions by disreputable martial arts instructors may eventually force officials to step in and take charge.