Pronounce it as "sishou". As well as a teacher, it includes the meaning of a person who has an extraordinary skill in artistic hand work. If you have founded some new material, this may suit you.

take command of an army...i think this is a strong meaning as it means "the leader who hold the reins and this leader(in my own point of view" has to be specialized and expertised in a field meaning a knowledgeable person)

師範, or 師匠 could be a title which is only used by his disciples.
I took the question as he is looking for a title which can be accepted by outsiders at the same time. In that case titles like 創始者(soushi-sha) have the required meaning.

But since 創始者 has already been raised, I myself would like to raise another one, "開創者(kaisou-sha)".

The term "開創(kaisou)" was used by 嘉納 治五郎(Kanou Jigorou), the founder of 講道館(Koudoukan).
The reference wikipedia article is quoting a letter from Kanou to a person called Saigou, and in that letter Kanou is using the term "開創(スル)" as the one which could be a translation of the verb 'found'.

創始者 does sound great, but 開創者 also could be a fine option which shows the originality of your martial art.

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Note added at 3時間 (2008-09-04 16:53:13 GMT)
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開創者 and 創始者 have almost the same meaning (=founder).

If you want to particularly stress that the person is the origin of the new thought or technique which is now wide spread all over the world and there are many diversified ways that stem from the origin, specifications such as 本家本元の　本流　元流 may be necessary.

If you want to specify that you are thankful for the teacher, you can use 恩師 (onshi).

this is pronounced han shi. han shi means the highest rank in any of the following, kendo,judo, and bu-do.

This can be used for speaking and writing the both. In this case, 'souritsusha' would sound strange since it is commonly used for describing someone who has established a business (big ones)such as Bill Gates for Microsoft, Richard Branson for Virgin group etc.

In martial art tradition, the founder is called 開祖. I googled this term and found Aikido, Karate, Shorinji kenpo, Judo, and many other tradition using this term.
You can use 開祖 (kaiso) as your title, and disciples may call you "大先生"(oo-sensei: great teacher) (ex. Aikido tradition) instead of ”先生” (teacher).

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Note added at 1 day5 hrs (2008-09-05 19:19:37 GMT)
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Kaiso means "originator; patriarch (who creates the tradition/organization); progenitor." (The literal meaning of the character "Kai" is "to open," and "So," "ancestor/forefather.") It is a respected term as it is used in Zen tradition as "a founder" as well as in martial arts.

<Translation>
First example: Invincible sword master, Teacher Hibino Raicho, the Jinto school sword art founder (Kaiso).
Second example: Began training with Mabuni Kenwa in Okinawan karate tradition (who becomes later the founder (Kaiso) of Shitoo Karate school); 1929.

Hope this helps clarify. :-)


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Note added at 1 day9 hrs (2008-09-05 22:44:07 GMT)
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Sorry, I misunderstood the expression "respected term".
No. "Kaiso" is not a term that students use to call you. They can refer to you as "Kaiso" when they talk to somebody else, but in face to face situation, they should call you "sensei (teacher)." To differentiate between teachers, they can add individual teacher's name, such as "Pealman sensei." This is customary in Japan. But if you still want different term, there is a term that I suggested earlier: "oo-sensei (great teacher)."

This is a kind of big word widely used to categorize who originally started something that later shows growth in the number of the people who deal with that in different way such as by learning, by being hired, by being influenced, by being fascinated or by being involved, etc...anyway being taken into that structure. That can be a company, school, method, religion of course martial arts. But it doesn't necessarily mean the person who teaches, much sounds like dignified 'the great father".


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Note added at 2日1時間 (2008-09-06 14:55:08 GMT)
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"者/sha" ＝ person, so by 3 it means "the person who originally started to created something"(you probably know "創/sou"＝creation, "始/shi"＝start), so it exactly represents a founder.
It might not be very suitable to use in intimate relation such as relation between you and a disciple face to face. Although it's not wrong to use this term in any relation, but sure to feel bit formal in intimate relation as this word consists of such explanative combination of 3 characters, then it works well as a title towards outside.

宗主 (soushu) means the head of 宗家(souke). Souke means more of a "family" or "group of people" rather than individual. It is also used in martial arts not only other Japanese art, such as florwer arrangement. Although it doesn't necessarily means "founder". For that, you can add 創始者 (soushisha) or 開祖 (kaiso).

師範 means simply an instructor, it is same as Sensei, but used as a given title from organizations, whereas Sensei is used by people when they call them with respect.

I don't think 統率者 is used as a title in the area of martial arts in Japan.

I have been practicing a few different martial arts overseas for over 10 years, so I think this explanation is fairly accurate.

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Note added at 19 hrs (2008-09-05 08:36:34 GMT)
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As for a title that your students will call you as, 宗主 (soushu) will be the one. 創始者 or 開祖 (kaiso: which means "founder") are appropriate for any documents such as brochures.

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Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2008-09-06 17:08:49 GMT)
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First of all, you should generally be called "Sensei 先生" by other instructors and students, while you have another title for document such as an organizational chart, etc. Other instructors can call you "Soushu 宗主" (or "Souke 宗家" as this can be synonym for "Soushu 宗主" ) in staff meeting or other occations if needed be conscious of your position in the organization. "Soushi-sha 創始者" or "Kaiso 開祖" are mostly used in written materials or lecture, but not in recgular conversation to call you.

I think "Hanshi 範士" is used mainly in the martial arts with sword such as Kendo or Iaido, and "Shisho 師匠" is used in dance, music, or other entertainment arts, but not in martial arts.

"Soushi 創始" means to establish or found. "Sha 者" means a person.

"Kaiso 開祖" is pertainining to religion or martial arts, whereas "Soushi-sha 創始者" is more generally used such as any businesses or organizations.



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Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2008-09-06 17:14:38 GMT)
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By the way, "O (or Oh) Sensei" in Aikido only refers to its founder, and it is used almost as a pronoun. This "O" is 翁 which means "old and wise", not 大 which means "great". So for that matter "大先生" is rather ponounced "Dai-sensei", I think. But this sounds too much of putting self-important and not graceful, which I believe you don't want that.

If you found it yourself, I think "souke" is the term you're looking for.
If its not "souke", then probably the most appropriate word may be "shihan"

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Note added at 9 days (2008-09-14 12:01:17 GMT)
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After reading the supplimental notes, I still think "Shihan" is the best term.

There are lots of comments, but if you are going to be the teacher of "Sensei", the term probably fits the best.

If you really want to be technical. it may be best to make up your own term, English or Japanese, or maybe some other language, and make sure that the word you make up contains the meaning you want to contain.