Shihan

師範

Honorific title awarded to senior master instructors within martial organizations.

Quick Facts

CategoryTitle

Pronunciation/[shee-hahn]/

Alternative NamesMaster instructor, Senior professor

Definition

Shihan translates as 'expert teacher' or 'model instructor'. Typically granted from 5th or 6th Dan upwards, it authorizes masters to license black belts and head regional organizations.

Related Terms

Sensei先生

Honorific title for a teacher or instructor in Japanese culture.

Hanshi範士

Highest teaching title conferred upon grandmasters (typically 8th Dan and above).

Kyoshi教士

Intermediate teaching title in the Shogo system (typically 6th to 7th Dan).

Associated Martial Arts

Tomari-te Satojuku Karate Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Shorinji Ryu Renshinkan Enshin Karate Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Yoseikan Aikido Shorinji-ryu Kenkokan Seiwakai Goju-ryu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Iwama Ryu Kosen Judo Kawaishi Judo Yoshinkan Aikido Gensei-ryu Tomiki Aikido Chito-ryu Karate Shito-ryu Motobu-ryu Karate Ashihara Karate Byakuren Kaikan Shorei-ryu Uechi-ryu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Shotokan Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Matsubayashi-ryu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shidokan Shorin-ryu Seibukan Isshin-ryu Karate Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu Seidokaikan Karate Shorin-ryu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Kito-ryu Shuri-te Meibukan Goju-ryu Shorin-ryu Kyudokan Jundokan Goju-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liuhe Tanglangquan)Kyokushin Budokai Real Aikido Naha-te Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shorinkan