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"Grandmaster" ranks or whatever, and just pretend they have learned all that is to be learned.)
I am referring to something just a little bit different when I say that a true sensei is one who can take you from beginning to end. Please think of it this way: the wine that the vintner places in aging casks is not finished in most cases. It needs time to mature, for its flavors to reach their summit. But that is a process that goes on in the wine itself. There is very, very little the winemaker can do to influence taste once the wine has reached that point. He has brought it along as far as he can, given it the ingredients it needs to complete the job. The vintner's task at that point can be considered essentially complete. The sensei oversees a similar procedure. He gives the student the basic tools needed, in the way of    physical technique as well as attitude, spirit, and intellectual insight and maturity, for the student to go forth on his own, to continue on correctly and productively on his personal journey along the Way.
Those of us who train with Demura Sensei are truly privileged to have the opportunity to study under a teacher recognized world-wide as the model of a traditional sensei. He has often said, "So many people are in a hurry to be called master. They have forgotten what an honor it is to be called Sensei by students." He views being Sensei as a tremendous responsibility - to guide each student in the process of maturing and becoming of deep and lasting value as a martial artist and as a person. He follows Master Kenwa Mabuni's "Kunnshi-no-Ken," which is dedication to teachings students personal growth achieve harmony in their lives. This is the way of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai, and it is the most fundamental part of Demura Sensei's purpose and meaning in life. He says, " The purpose of Karate-Do is to train your whole life to become the most perfect person you can be! When you reach that goal, you feel the true value of Karate-Do. I am here to study Karate-Do, for it brings great meaning to my life."  Each of us has only to do our part - to train diligently, and seek daily improvement of character - in other words, to be good grapes.