Mel Jacobson on thu 14 aug 97
sensei, the meaning:
it is just a word, sensei. it means in literal translation,
teacher. I asked the question of many japanese, how
do you know when, and to whom you call sensei? well
the answer was never given. it is an honor bestowed
on those who deserve it. and when you reach an age,
and when you have achieved a level of perfection in your
work, it becomes natural for those around you to call you
sensei.
I love the word wisdom. it has a ring of truth. it
does not mean you went to harvard and are smart, it means
you have acquired knowledge and can use it. that is
what the great sensei has, wisdom and knowledge, and is
able to create from it. it has nothing to do with money.
I have discovered that the japanese have a way of giving
honor to people who are still alive. the living treasure is
just one example. but to be a sensei, to have the honor,
and then to respect the honor of being a teacher , is
one of the highest compliements any human being can
achieve.
http://www.pclink.com/melpots
David Hendley on fri 15 aug 97
One of the reasons I love potters is because, contrary to most of society,
they value age, experience, and wisdom.
At 10:57 AM 8/14/97 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>sensei, the meaning:
>
>it is just a word, sensei. it means in literal translation,
>teacher. I asked the question of many japanese, how
>do you know when, and to whom you call sensei? well
>the answer was never given. it is an honor bestowed
>on those who deserve it. and when you reach an age,
>and when you have achieved a level of perfection in your
>work, it becomes natural for those around you to call you
>sensei.
>
> I love the word wisdom. it has a ring of truth. it
>does not mean you went to harvard and are smart, it means
>you have acquired knowledge and can use it. that is
>what the great sensei has, wisdom and knowledge, and is
>able to create from it. it has nothing to do with money.
>
>I have discovered that the japanese have a way of giving
>honor to people who are still alive. the living treasure is
>just one example. but to be a sensei, to have the honor,
>and then to respect the honor of being a teacher , is
>one of the highest compliements any human being can
>achieve.
>
>
>http://www.pclink.com/melpots
>
>
Robert Yellin on sat 16 aug 97
Konbanwa Mel-
I want to comment on the usage of 'Sensei' and will
leave it to you if you want to post this to the rest
of the group. You wrote it 'is an honor bestowed to
those who deserve it'- well yes and no. Some have earned
it and others are called it either by their fathers being
in a place of position-(the current Prime Minister, the
current Bizen Living National Treasure, a few professors
at the university I teach at)it is a very misused word here
and true-great teachers whether it be in Japan or anyplace
else, are far and few between. For just as you said, they have
knowledge but lack wisdom. Any teacher can pass on knowledge,
that's easy, but how many 'sensei' truly inspire a student or
country to reflect,ponder, and come to one's own conclusion
about the path one,or a country has chosen. Not many. How many
wise great teachers-politicians are there in the world today?
Not many. Many knowledgeable people but too full of it and believe
it- the world is full of too many experts, too many stiff-collared
sensei's.
The first batch of Living Treasure deserved it, they blazed
paths, but somehow I feel the current batch are politically
connected and of course are not without talent, yet there is
some back door dealings that go on and I wonder who makes
those decisions. Rosanjin declined that Living Treasure 'honor'
because he didn't think the committee that made that decision had
any member with any sense at all. I wonder if times have changed.
Yes, it's true as you siad that the Japanese have a way of giving
honor to those who are still alive but that doesn't mean they earned
it or deserve it- they just put in the time.
I do agree though that teachers are more highly thought of and
respected here that in the U.S.- many are fine teachers but I
think the education system in Japan is nore interested in form over
content.
My great thanks for your sharing and do send some photos
for HG foreign potters project.
Sincere regards from Numazu-
R.Yellin
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