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INTERNATIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE FEDERATION SACRAMENTO |
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The Ultimate Martial Art |
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DOJO ETIQUETTE Shotokan Karate is more than a form of self-defense. It is a way of life. The success and harmony of our family lies in each individual’s adherence to Dojo etiquette. Allow your Sensei to provide you with the highest quality in Karate education by observing the Dojo rules and code of conduct. It is important that you completely understand and observe them at all times. 1] Upon meeting your Sensei, always stop all activities and greet him or her by lowering your head in humility, and greeting them with a loud and strong spirited OSS! This gesture is a sign of respect to the leaders of the elite organization in which you belong to. 2] Safety first. Show strong spirit, but avoid any techniques that might endanger the well-being of others in class. 3] Be prompt! Come to your scheduled class early enough to limber and warm up. 4] Always bow before entering and before leaving the training area. 5] If you have to leave before class ends, please notify the instructor before the class begins. Do not excuse yourself from class without the instructor’s permission. 6] When class begins, line up quickly and quietly in order of rank. Respond quickly to instructions. Never argue with the instructors or complain during class. 7] Do not stand with arms crossed on your chest or our hands on your hips. This is considered rude and unreceptive. 8] Always address your instructor using the term Sensei for Sensei Valdes or Sempai for all other instructors. 9] Notify your instructor if you cannot make it to your class. 10] Whenever coming in late for a group class, always bow at the entrance of the training area, sit in seiza position and wait patiently to be acknowledged and given the permission to enter by the instructor. 11] All students must wear their complete gi (uniform) while training. It should always be kept clean and in good repair at all times. Personal hygiene is always pleasant and a must. 12] To prevent injury, all students are requested to keep their fingernails and toenails carefully clipped (reasonably safe for women). Rings, watches bracelets, hair beads or any potentially harmful jewelry of any type are strictly prohibited while training. Foot wear of any type is not allowed while training. 13] The use of vulgar language is strictly prohibited. Besides denoting possession of an inferior vocabulary and lack of culture, such indiscriminate word usage brings discredit upon our art. 14] Karate training, to be effective, requires total concentration and awareness. Minimize personal conversation during class. 15] Memorize, understand and live the Dojo Kun. Please follow these guidelines and help ensure a safe and enjoyable workout for all.
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Opening of each session; 1] The highest ranking member on the extreme right gives the following OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES FOR CLASS 2] The class lines up, with the highest ranking members on the right. commands: 3] SEIZA (say-za) - Assume formal position keeping your back straight and your palms down on your lap. 4] MOKUSO (moh-koo-soh) - Meditate, with eyes lightly closed; drive all worldly thoughts from consciousness to achieve a state of complete concentration on the ensuing lesson. 5] MOKUSO YAME (yah-meh) - Reassume state of attentiveness. 6] SHOMEN NI REI (shoh-men) (ray) - At this command, we show respect and gratitude to our dojo where we learn and benefit from, and all its philosophy and beliefs by placing our hands (left hand first), on the floor and bending until our foreheads are just above the floor. 7] SENSEI NI REI (sen-say) - We then show the same respect and gratitude to the instructor for the benefits being received. Closing of each session; 8] The highest ranking member on the extreme right gives the following commands; 9] SEIZA (say-za) - Assume formal position keeping your back straight and your palms down on your lap. 10] MOKUSO (moh-koo-soh) - Meditate, with eyes lightly closed; drive all worldly thoughts from consciousness to achieve a state of complete concentration in preparation for the outside world. 11] MOKUSO YAME (yah-meh) Reassume state of attentiveness. 12] DOJO KUN (doe-jo) (koon) - The highest member recites each creed and the class repeats after him or her. 13] SHOMEN NI RE (shoh-men) (ray) - At this command, we show respect and gratitude to our dojo where we learn and benefit 5 THE DOJO KUN By Kathy Garson
WE SHALL SEEK PERFECTION OF CHARACTER Seeking perfection of character means not only to seek perfection of physique, technique, spirit, or mind, but to strive for perfection of a combination of all these things. Implicit in this statement is that despite the tremendous effort and monumental achievements we will attain, we will never attain perfection of character as perfection itself is unattainable by a human being. Therefore, we must only SEEK perfection of character.
WE SHALL BE FAITHFUL Not only should we be faithful to our Sensei, our Dojo, to the practice of Shotokan, and other people, but we should also be faithful to ourselves. In that, I mean that we should seek clarity of mind and not deceive ourselves into thinking that we are more skilled or competent than we really are.
WE SHALL ENDEAVOR Often times in the practice of Shotokan it is easy to get discouraged. The body gets older, the mind gets weaker, and reaching the 6th Kyu seems as impossible as seeking perfection of character. However, we will never achieve satisfaction if we do not try, and to attempt anything when facing adversity, even if it comes from ourselves, is to endeavor.
WE SHALL RESPECT OTHERS In Karate, as in life, we must confront and co-exist with others. This mutual existence can only succeed if we respect the physical and mental abilities, handicaps, and space of everyone, not only those we come into contact with.
WE SHALL REFRAIN FORM VIOLENT BEHAVIOR It is skill that one learns in Karate, not violence. The unprovoked and offensive use of the skills we learn in the practice of Karate would be violence, and breaches the spirit and art of Karate.
While the DOJO KUN is taught in Karate, its significance -- and the philosophy embodied in it - pertains to all aspects of life and should be carried with us always.
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