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DOJO ETIQUETTE AND PROTOCOL
"We are
what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle
TAITAIKIYO
(General Rules Of Dojo Etiquette)
Although at first there many
appear to be many rules to adhere to in the dojo, in a relatively short period
of time, these rules will not only become easy to remember, but they will
in fact become second nature to you as a student.
 | Be prompt. Arrive before class begins. If you come in late, be seated by
the door and wait for permission to join practice. |
| Always bow when entering or leaving the dojo. Direct your bow to the
senior person present and acknowledge his or her presence with the greeting
Osu (pronounced "Oos"). This gesture shows respect both toward fellow
practitioners and the art. |
| Junior students are expected to look to seniors for guidance, imitate
their behavior, and treat them with respect and consideration. Sit and stand
when your seniors do; always sit to the left of seniors. |
| Senior students are expected to set a good example for juniors, protect
them from injury, help them learn, and treat them with respect and
consideration. Remember, Respect is earned! |
| Behave appropriately in the dojo (literally, "place of the Way"). Remove
your shoes before entering. Speak quietly and maintain an attitude appropriate
for serious practice. Food, drink, and chewing gum are not permitted in the
dojo. |
| Do not teach new techniques or kata to other students unless asked to do
so by your teacher. |
| Never throw or drop your obi (belt) on the ground, and never wash it. Your
obi is a symbol of your spirit. |
| Never lose your temper during practice. Train with intensity but without
anger or hostility. There is no place for ego in the dojo. |
| Pay attention; it is part of your training. Concentrate fully on karate-do
while you are in the dojo. You should be aware of your
surroundings at all times. |
| Use your time wisely. You are in the dojo to train,
therefore do not waste your time. Continually, strive to better yourself
through continuously training. |
| Practice your kihon waza and kata consistently outside of class, even if
it is just for a few minutes every day. This is the only way to improve your
skill and physical conditioning. Remember Tsuruoka Sensei's
statement: "The World is my dojo." |
| Always wear a clear uniform (GI) to class. |
| Always keep your body and mind clean, this is important
for proper training. |
| Remember, learning karate is a privilege and should not
be taken lightly. Your karate knowledge and skill are not to be used to injure
others unless you have no other alternative. If you do find that you must use
your skill in order to defend yourself, make sure you tell your instructor as
soon as possible after the incident and before someone else does. |
| Keep you fingernails and toenails short and clean.
|
| It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that the dojo
is kept clean, tidy and safe at all times. |
| Do not wear jewelry during class. (If for some reason
you must, clear it with the senior instructor before every class. |
| Do not leave the deck without permission of the ranking
senior on the deck (or his representative). |
| When moving from one place to another on the deck or
exiting the deck, be aware of others training. Techniques are often being
executed with lethal force. Do not walk between the instructor and other
students when the instructor is teaching. When instructed to, move safely off
the deck. Always maintain awareness, this is part of your training.
|
| Do not lean against the walls, or lay down on the floor
(except when instructed to do so for training). |
| No eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in the
dojo. |
| Always move with a purpose when instructed to move, do
not simply stroll around! |
| Always keep one eye on your business at hand and the
other on the instructor, this is part of your training. |
| No foul language is to be used inside the dojo. Treat
the dojo, the seniors and your fellow students with the utmost respect.
|
| Do not talk when the teacher is speaking. |
| Do not simply ask a question in class, but instead,
Raise your hand to insure that the teacher wants to answer your question or
questions at that point in training. If, in fact the teacher does not
acknowledge you, wait until later in class or the end of class. The teacher is
not being rude, but instead may be teaching a section that he feels is
extremely important and does not want to stop to answer any questions at that
time. Good teachers will not only be receptive to answering a students
questions, they will encourage the students to ask questions. The teacher just
might not necessarily want to answer the questions at the exact time that you
may be wanting to ask them. Keep the question in mind and ask the teacher
following class. Many times you will find that your questions may be answered
as the class continues. |
FORMAL OPENING AND CLOSING OF
KARATE CLASSES
Kamiza----------------(Front of Dojo)(Shomen)
X-------------------(Sensei (Senior Teacher) Position) X X-------(Senior Ranking Special Guest When Visiting) x x x x------(Kyoshi/Shihan titles)
(Yudansha-Black Belts)
X X X X X X X X-------(Most Senior Yudansha Position)
X X X X X X X X-------(Most Senior Mudansha Position)
X X X X X X X X (Lowest--X X X X X X X X
Ranking Mudansha Position)
0------------------------------(Rear
of Dojo)
Yudansha=Black Belt &
Mudansha=Students in the kyu grades -Those students below Black Belt.
FORMAL OPENING OF CLASS:
When the teacher assumes his or her place facing the
kamiza of the dojo, all
students immediately assume their rightful positions to prepare for practice.
The teacher bows with all students following suit. The
teacher commands "Seiza" to which all instructors (black belts) sit first with
all students quickly taking their seat immediately following the black belts.
Everyone sits calmly and quietly in seiza. Posture is erect.
but relaxed and balanced (centered).
The teacher says, "Mokuso."
meditation has begun.
The teacher says "Mokuso Yame" meditation has ended.
The teacher says "Shomen-ni Rei" or "O-Sensei-ni Rei"
All render a formal bow toward the
Kamiza of the dojo; traditionally this is the sacred
place occupied by a memorial to the founder.
The teacher turns and faces all class members. The senior
student (Normally the senior Yudansha) turns and faces the teacher and commands:
"Sensei-ni Rei" At which time, all students as well as the teacher
exchange bows with the students saying "Onigashimasu,
Sensei" (meaning, "Please teach us, teacher")..
(A title such as Shihan, Renshi, Kyoshi or Hanshi may be used instead of Sensei
when appropriate.)
The teacher commands "Otagaini rei," meaning "bow
to each other." The class members, including the
teacher and all black belt students, face each other and bow
.
Following the sensei, the class rises with their right
foot first, then left, to formal attention stance,
(musubi dachi)
*Students always
rise after the teacher when performing a bow with (in the same direction such as
everyone facing the kamiza) or toward each other (teacher to student.)
FORMAL CLOSING OF
CLASS:
When the teacher assumes his or her place facing the
kamiza of the dojo, all
students immediately assume their rightful positions to prepare for practice.
The teacher bows with all students following suit. The
teacher commands "Seiza" to which all instructors (black belts) sit first with
all students quickly taking their seat immediately following the black belts.
Everyone sits calmly and quietly in seiza. Posture is erect.
but relaxed and balanced (centered).
The teacher says, "Mokuso."
meditation has begun.
The teacher says "Mokuso Yame" meditation has ended.
The teacher says "Shomen-ni Rei" or "O-Sensei-ni Rei" All render a formal bow
toward the Kamiza of the dojo; traditionally
this is the sacred place occupied by a memorial to the founder.
The teacher turns and faces all class members. The senior
student (Normally the senior Yudansha) turns and faces the teacher and commands:
"Sensei-ni Rei" At which time, all students as well as the teacher
exchange bows with the students saying "Domo arrigato gozai-imasu,
Sensei" ("Thank you very much for teaching us, teacher")..
(A title such as Shihan, Renshi, Kyoshi or Hanshi may be used instead of Sensei
when appropriate.)
To the students' thank you for instruction, the teacher responds, "Iie, gokorosan" ("No, thank you for doing what
is
expected of you.")
Following the sensei, the class rises with their
right foot first, then left, to formal attention
stance, (musubi dachi)
Most Karate classes in
Chito-ryu end with:
SHOWA
Ware ware
Karate-do o shugyo surumonowa,
Tsuneni bushido seishin o wasurezu,
Wa to nin o motte nashi,
Soshite tsutomereba kanarazu tasu.
We who study Karate-Do
Should never forget the spirit of the warrior's way,
Through Peace, Perseverance and Hard Work,
We will not fail to reach our goal.
*Students
always rise after the teacher when performing a bow with (in the same direction
such as everyone facing the kamiza) or toward each other (teacher to student.)
MARTIAL ARTS RANKINGS
Martial art ranks are not only based on one's knowledge,
but should also be an indication of one's current skill level.
Therefore, one must always strive to increase or at
least maintain their current skill level through
active training. If you are no longer training
regularly, you will not be able to maintain your
present skill level for very long. If you are absent
from training for any long period of time, your teacher may require that you
wear a white belt upon your returning to the dojo for regular training. It
will be the teachers choice as to when you will be allowed to wear the
colored or black belt you previously wore or as to whether you will be required
to go through the testing process again. Many
times this decision is based on the amount of time a
student has been absent from the dojo as well as the reason for the student's
absence.
If you have been absent for quite sometime, be prepared for
this process. This is not a punishment, but rather simply a method of gauging a
students' skill level and dedication. Preoccupation with rank shows a lack of understanding
and is heavily frowned upon in all legitimate traditional martial art's systems. Anyone can buy and wear a
black belt. Belts are meaningful only as signs of continued, growth.
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