Rainhill Kase Ha Shotokan Karate Academy

Etiquette in the Dojo

Television and cinema show us that karate is all about fancy punches, flying kicks, chopping planks of wood or slicing bricks & tiles in half. But in reality, karate is an art about courtesy, manners, etiquette and attitude. In the dojo, irrespective of your grade and ability, as long as you work hard and show a real and determined commitment, you will always receive praise. However, if you show disrespect to anyone in the dojo, or to the dojo itself, you will be admonished and possibly asked not to return.

Upon watching training, you will see students bow as they enter or leave the dojo, you will see them bow to one another, and when sparring you will see them, even when they have been punched or kicked, still bow to each other. In other words, karate is about respect; the respect you show others, the respect you have for the dojo, the respect you have for karate, and the respect you have for yourself. Without this principle, karate would be nothing.

Provided that you train hard and are considerate to others, you will find training an enjoyable task. With time, you will pick up the rules of the dojo from example and through instruction and they will become instinctive to you. So, if you keep these simple rules in mind your experiences within the dojo will be much more enjoyable, and your fellow students will hold you in much higher regard for your efforts.

Basics

Proper Attitude

Entering the Dojo

Arriving Late

The Line Up

The Standing Bow

Seiza

Bowing in Seiza

Mokuso

Mokuso Yame

During Class

Kiai

The End of Class

Leaving the Dojo

Dojo Kun and Niju Kun

"Karate begins and ends with courtesy".

Basics

In the dojo there is no smoking, drinking alcohol, swearing, chewing gum or eating.
There is no violence in or outside of the dojo.
Always arrive early, get changed and be ready to start on time.
Remove all jewellery before training as it can cause injury to yourself or others.
Always keep yourself clean and tidy, e.g. cut your nails, wash your Gi (karate uniform), etc
Always greet the instructor first.
Always call the instructor Sensei.
Always show 100% commitment. To not do so is disrespectful to the skills of your instructor.
Keep up a regular training schedule. You will never make good progress with off and on or erratic training. Learning requires effort.

"Never judge anything by it's appearance, in truth it is the content that matters".

Proper Attitude

Trying hard to learn, also means to be easy to teach. Easy to teach means to come to the dojo with a open heart and mind.
Don't be full of yourself and your opinions. Be humble and grateful and willing to undergo the hardships of training.
Train to become a better person, not a better fighter.
Talent means nothing without the proper attitude. Without the proper attitude, there is no proper training.

Pursue your training only because you love it. That is all".

Entering the Dojo

When entering or leaving the dojo you should always bring your feet together in musubi-dachi and bow to the centre of the room as a mark of respect for your place of training.
If it is necessary to leave the dojo during class, first inform the instructor. On your return wait until asked to rejoin.

"Know your limits and develop your capabilities".

Arriving Late

If you arrive late, change & warm up in the changing room.
Kneel at the dojo entrance until asked to join the class.
Make a full kneeling bow before rising.
Move quickly & quietly to your place.

"Karate is just like boiling water, if you do not keep the heat on, your skills will cool very quickly".

The Line Up

To start and finish each session the class will line up facing the Instructor, in grade order with the senior grade on the Instructor's left.

"Your belt is a visual symbol of your past effort and dedication, so wear it with pride".

The Standing Bow

In Shotokan Karate the bow is used not only to bow into and out of the dojo at the beginning or end of each class, but also when bowing to another student, or an instructor before performing any form of partner training.
The standing bow is also performed prior to the beginning of each kata, and at the end of each kata.

"The essence of karate-do lies not in what you know, but in how you apply what you know to your daily life".

Seiza

The "seiza" or "kneeling position" while a common occurrence, is used most often at the beginning and the end of each class, or when you are instructed to sit and watch a demonstration of some kind.

"Knowing what a student needs, and knowing when to give it to them, is the secret to making them better than they thought they could be".

Bowing in Seiza

Following the Instructor kneel down, left knee first, cross the feet and sit back on the heels.
On the command "Shomen ni rei", place your palms on the floor and make a low bow, keeping your eyes forward, to honour the dojo.
On the command "Sensei ni rei", bow again to honour your teacher.
On the command "Otoga ni rei", bow a third time to acknowledge your training partners.
Remain kneeling until told to rise.

"Knowledge comes from many places, but only to those who seek it".

Mokuso

This is the command to meditate.

"The great virtues of karate are prudence and humility".

Mokuso Yame

This is the command to stop meditating.

"In order to bow well physically, you must first learn how to bow well in your mind".

During Class

Once training starts it is important to concentrate on the specific task at hand and on improving your own techniques.
The three main sections of karate training are Kihon, Kata and Kumite.
When moving from one area of the dojo to another do so quickly and quietly.
If you have questions about the techniques that are being taught, never call out, but rather raise you hand and wait to be acknowledged.
When training with a partner always be sure and bow properly before you begin and after you finish your training together. This applies every time you change partners regardless of who they are.

"Information is only a resource, any good or evil that comes from it lies within it's application".

Kiai

A kiai is a sound usually expressed during the maximum point of attack or defence in all Shotokan Katas.
This sound does not come from the throat, but originates in your abdomen (tanden).
In the beginning most students will simply say the word kiai but in fact kiai is just a Japanese word that means, SHOUT.
In the end your own personal kiai will be as unique as you are.
Never be embarrassed by what you think it sounds like and don’t be afraid to kiai LOUDLY.

"Karate is for a lifetime, it is not a race, and your personal progress should never be treated as such".

The End of Class

When your class is at an end and “Line Up!” is called once again, line up in in the same manner and rank order as you were at the start of your class.
Upon instruction come to attention, and then bow, after the final bow to the sensei students will often say “arigato gozaimashita", which means “thank you very much” or simply say “thank you” in English.

"What people think of you, is not as important as what you think of yourself".

Leaving the Dojo

When your class is finished be sure that you exit the dojo in the same manner as you entered it, with courtesy and respect.

"The sum of all things, is equal to the effort that went into it".