Japanese term for a
teacher of any particular
craft or
art. Derives from "born first," meaning one of greater range of
experience. For example, an elderly shopkeeper who sells really fine
tofu might be called "sensei".
Also much lesser honorific often preferred by Japanese Buddhist monastics of various schools to such terms as "Zasu," "Daiso", "Hojo-sama", "Roshi" and so on in which case it conveys a warmth and familiarity.