TIENCHAO (TIM) TUNG SHIHAN

(1939– )

Bokuyokan Shihan USA 9th Dan

Daito Ryu 9th Dan Shihan, Menkyo Kaiden, Jun-Hombu Cho for Japan Sohombu

大東流合気柔術 牧羊館 師範免許皆伝  九段

Tienchao (Tim) Tung, Shihan began his martial arts career studying Chinese Kung Fu with his father.  He later pursued the study and practice of Japanese martial arts such as Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, Kendo, Jikiden Eishen Ryu Iaido and Daito Ryu Weapons.  

Menkyo Kaiden

Menkyo kaiden (免許皆伝), (めんきょかいでん) is a Japanese term meaning "license of total transmission." Kaiden (皆伝) means "initiation into an art or discipline." It is a license that is used by a school, koryu meaning that the student has learned everything and passed all aspects of his/her training within the koryu.

In the menkyo system of licenses, the menkyo kaiden is the highest level of license that exists under the menkyo system. Advancement of license is not determined by years spent learning, but how well one masters the discipline. However, the transition from menkyo to kaiden require usually at least thirty years' experience. A holder of menkyo kaiden is often, but not always, the de facto successor to the soke of the koryu.

Shihan

Shihan (師範) is a Japanese term that is used in many Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors. It can be translated as "master instructor".

The use of the term is specific to a school or organization, as is the process of becoming a shihan. In aikido, the title shihan often is granted to teachers when they reach 6th dan. It is sometimes associated with certain rights, such as the right to give out black belt (dan) ranks. However, the title is distinct from the black belt ranking system (段位 dan'i).

Uchi Deshi

Uchi-deshi (内弟子, lit. "inside student") is a Japanese term for a live-in student/apprentice who trains under and assists a sensei on a full-time basis. The system exists Japanese martial arts.

Lifestyle

Uchi-deshi usually live in the dojo or the home of the teacher, or in separate accommodations near the dojo. He serves the teacher all day, every day. Duties may include cleaning and secretarial work. Historically, an uchi-deshi was typically chosen and groomed to become the next head of a school of martial arts when a direct family member was not available. Nowadays, the term is used synonymously as an apprenticeship.