When addressing my 'Sensei', should I omit the possessive "my"?

In English, when (if ever) is it appropriate to use the possessive with a formal title when addressing someone? Kind of like I would say, "As you wish, my greatest of loves."

For example,

Thank you, my Sensei.

Or should it simply be,

Thank you, Sensei.

Or, would the 'my' be used always and only along with the subject of learning? As in

Thank you, my Sensei of Swordsmanship.

but not

Thank you, Sensei of Sauciness.

I believe there is a component of cultural understanding and lingual comprehension of Japan and the Japanese language that may be necessary to answer fully with regards to "Sensei" in particular, but in general, how are possessives and titles combined?

Solution 1:

When using a title to directly address the title-holder, "my" is usually omitted. When referring to the title-holder to another person, "my" is usually included.

Including 'my' when addressing someone is usually used to indicate affection or love. See Walt Whitman's O Captain, My Captain or the expression you gave as an example. There are a few exceptions ("My Lord" comes to mind), but most honorifics stand alone.

While I'm not Japanese, if I were your boxing coach and you said "Thank you, my Coach" I would assume you were either being facetious or did not have English as your first language. When I took beginner Aikido in my younger days I was instructed to refer to the Sensei simply as "Sensei" or "Takahashi-sensei".

Solution 2:

I don't think this is the right site for questions about Japanese. We can answer questions about English usage and custom.

It's more usual in English not to use "my", and just use the formal title like "Sensei", where there is one. There aren't many circumstances where this applies:

Thank you, Sensei
Yes, Chef!
Of course, Minister [for a government minister]
More tea, Vicar?

There are very few other terms which merit this treatment: one wouldn't address an engineer, or architect, or teacher, or postman, or glassblower, like this.

But do say "My Lord" for a lord or a bishop.