, pronounced , is a
Japanese term that means "the head family [house]." In the realm of Japanese traditional arts, it is used synonymously with the term
iemoto. Thus, it is often used to indicate "headmaster" (or sometimes translated as "head of the family" or even "
grand master".) The English translation of soke as "grand master" is not a literal translation but it does see use by some Japanese sources. It can mean one who is the leader of any school or the master of a style, but it is most commonly used as a highest level
Japanese title, referring to the singular leader of a school or style of
martial art. The term, however, is not limited to the genre of martial arts.