What does Hakutoshi mean?

When you earn your San-dan, or third degree black belt in To-Shin Do, An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes bestows upon you a title, a warrior name.  This practice follows a tradition that goes back at least to Takamatsu Sensei, the 33rd lineage holder of the Togakure Ninja family style of martial arts.  

Each warrior name or “Toshi” title is uniquely selected based on the qualities of the recipient and the first letter of their middle name. Though several of these names sound the same as other names they have a unique kanji and meaning that is specifically linked to the individual.

The warrior name that I received from An-Shu Hayes was “Hakutoshi”. “Haku” in this sense is said by Mr. Hayes to mean “teacher of broad knowledge”.  It was suggested that I teach broadly, able to cover a wide variety of material and that I teach to a broad audience. I take this name as a charge, I will always try understand and correctly guide those who Quest the broad subject matter that our art encompasses.  Striking skills, grappling, up and down, modern weapons, classical weaponry, first aid, emergency preparedness, tactics and strategies, meditation, and mind sciences all make up To-Shin Do. As An-Shu says, “We will run out of life before we run out of lessons”.

The “Toshi” part of “Hakutoshi” can be said to mean “Order of the Blade”. The “Toshi” are a group of To-Shin Do practitioners that have earned the difficult to attain Third Degree Black Belt or “San-Dan”.

So “Hakutoshi” means “Warrior of the Blade of Broad Knowledge”.   It’s a lot to live up to but it is a challenge that I take very seriously.

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