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Sempai are senior students in the dojo, that is, students that have trained in aikido longer than you. The term is a general standard that is subjective to your experience in aikido. The converse of sempai are kohei, students junior to you in training.
Sempai are charged with the responsibility to help newer students learn how to learn aikido, and develop the proper attitude to train. Sempai accept this obligation because their seniors accepted it before them and before them. The foundation of learning is based upon knowledge passed down from those that came before. Sempai are expected to be familiar with the teachings of the instructor and larger concepts prevalent in aikido training to complement the instructor's teaching. These responsibilities are often confused with the role of teaching. Sempai should not instruct other students except when the instructor has explicitly given permission to do so. Providing instruction deprives your partner of learning from the instructor.
The role of sempai is to act as a role model for new students, and guide newer students in their training.
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