“I truly believe it’s important to honor tradition, but never be limited by it.” – Cezar Borkowski 10th dan Northern Karate Schools
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In addition to the kyu/dan grading system used by most Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, there is a parallel system called “shogo” (称号). This is the teaching title-system originally set up by the Dai-Nippon Budoku-kai in Japan. The word “shogo” loosely translates into English as “title”.
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These titles are awarded only to dan (black belt) level martial artists – typically at high dan levels. Their primary purpose is to show that in addition to being a good martial artist, the individual is also a good teacher.
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These titles are; Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi and Hanshi. The recipients usually wear a red and white belt, or red and black belt, or a solid red belt, and are not associated with grade, but are earned more as an academic/teaching award for one’s dedication to their art, and passing it on to others.
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The etiquette of wearing the red belt varies from organization to organization, and sometimes from school to school. In some organizations, once awarded, these belts are always worn. In others, they’re considered ceremonial belts and only worn on special occasions, or seminars, and belt promotion ceremonies. In these cases, the practitioner typically wears a regular black belt during normal classes.
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Recently I have been reading that some practitioners of the martial arts are being very outspoken and derogatory about these titles and those that are associated with them.….. So, what’s up guys?
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I agree that titles are often abused, connived and misused in the martial arts, but some people are going beyond merely helping to correct others in their usage, all the way to being down right rude and disrespectful. It’s usually coming from people who are lower grade black belts that have never earned or been awarded any of the titles themselves.
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Why so much hatred towards people that have actually EARNED an authentic title in a martial art? It seems today that everyone wants to be someone of importance in the martial arts but few are willing to put in the dedication, hard work, loyalty, and actually earn that right.
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To actually earn a title, or higher grade for that matter, you usually have to be dedicated to the foundational art you are trying to master for many years.
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Is it jealously? Are you feeling downtrodden or not recognized?
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Maybe. But for those that have stuck at it and persevered, it often means a great deal. Perhaps recognition for a life-time of dedication, and sometimes awarded without prior knowledge. So, don’t take that away from them just because you don’t think it’s relevant today….. After all you, you wear a black belt and are sometimes called “sensei”! 
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