Dojo Etiquette

 

The Dojo Kun or “training code” is meant to serve as a way of ensuring a disciplined training environment.

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However, it is also meant to serve as a tool for moulding behaviour, so that a true Karateka will fight with words and only employ physical violence as a last resort.

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Insure the following , Hair ties back if to long , Nails clean and not to long , Karate Gi clean and Ironed, no jewellery to be warn , no food or drinks to be consumed in the Dojo.

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The Dojo Kun is traditionally recited at the end of each lesson but it can be used to begin a class as well.

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The closing sequence is usually enacted as follows:

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The class having lined up “Saei rei tu” with the senior student/sempai at the far left of the first line, the students, in descending grade order, line up to his/her right, ensuring that the line or lines are straight by each student looking to their left. The sempai will then call out “Seiza” which asks the class to move to the kneeling position where they will then call out “Mokuso” which is a period of around 20 to 30 seconds given for controlled breathing meditation.

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The class will then be instructed to “Mokuso yame” signifying the end of the meditation period. The Dojo Kun is then recited by the students repeating each sentence after the sempai.

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The class is then instructed to “Shomen ni rei” meaning to bow and show respect to those who taught and came before us and then the senior student will call out “Sensei ni rei” which asks the class to bow and show respect to the instructor.

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The class is then asked to stand “Ki re tu” with the highest graded belt coming to their feet first followed by the next and then the next until the whole class is once more on their feet.  On  standing  the  sempai will call out “Otagaei ni rei” and the whole class will make a standing bow before leaving the dojo in an orderly fashion. All students and sensei will bow inward towards the dojo when leaving.