Training Hall (Dojo)
The Japanese word dojo, or training hall, has its origins in a Sanskrit word, “bodimandala,” meaning “place of enlightenment.” In that it is quite different from a gym or a health club, it something much more respected. A dojo becomes special place only by the respect that the students as a group, or community, have for it. For everyone believes that it is a place to study and perfect the self.
The Dojo is a place to foster community and belonging, because this is what gives the martial arts the distinction from the isolated, alienated atmosphere that fills other places of training. The dojo is a family. It is a high-trust environment that allows our comfort zone to safely expand. The karate-ka (karate practitioner) can try new things and not be afraid to fail because they know their dojo brothers and sisters will be supportive and keep them safe.
Karate can be practiced in the dojo, or in the outdoors. It can be practiced in the hot summer, the cold winter and the seasons in between. Each season offers its own challenges to our mental and physical abilities.
We are aware and respectful of the dojo, it is a place to acquire knowledge.
The Dojo Layout
The Dojo is divided into four sections: The Front (Shomen) is typically reserved for instructors and high level students. Opposite The Front, is the Lower Seat (Shimoza) or rear of the Dojo. The right side, looking towards the front, is the Upper Side (Joseki). The Left Side is called the Lower Side (Shimoseki). The most senior instructors and students are towards the right front and line up by rank from the right to left, with the next rows replicating the pattern. The new and inexperienced students will take their places in the back of the Dojo.
Formalized Etiquette
In the Karate Dojo, there is a very strict formalized etiquette, how to greet people, how to enter and leave the dojo, how to fix the uniform while on the floor, how to tie your belt, how to interact with instructors and students. These formalities are observed by all students, old and new. Etiquette knows no rank.
The traditional karate dojo has a hierarchy based on the grade (white belt – brown belt) or the rank (degrees within black belt) of the practitioner. A student’s level is simply a way of indicating the amount of effort that has been put in to gain that particular experience in the dojo. Belts are not a substitute caste system.
In Japanese culture, one of the main tenets of respect is the bow. There are 2 basic types of bows: Standing bow (Tachirei) and Sitting bow (Zarei).
The bow (rei) is the action that shows respect and thanks. We bow when entering and exiting the dojo, and to the ranking man/women of the class being respectful of his/her rank and position, when lining up for the beginning and ending of class, to each other when partnering up to train, whenever respect and gratitude needs to be communicated.
Every class will begin and end with a short period of meditation in quiet awareness. In the beginning of class it allows all to clear the mind and focus on what the class will offer. At the end of class it’s used to think over what was done in class, what lies ahead and prepares the student to reenter their world.
Osu!
In the Dojo, when we bow, it is accompanied by the term “osu” which is an abbreviated version of “osu shinobu”. This is a basic greeting and salutation, but there’s a deeper, more profound meaning. Shinobu means patience. The way (Do) requires patience and continuous practice. The belief is there is no end and no goal, just practice. We need to continuously remind ourselves of this simple fact. This is reinforced every time you hear Osu, in the Dojo.
Karate-Gi (karate uniform)
In YKI Dojo’s all students wear a plain white uniform (Gi) made of canvas or heavy cotton with crest patch. The modern Gi is an updated version from the original where it was said that the Monks in China and Japan wore only their plain cotton underwear when practicing Martial Arts.
The belt is a representation of the student’s experience through this journey. While the student is expected to keep his Gi scrupulously clean, his belt, however is never to be washed. Every drop of sweat, every tear or abrasion is part of the expression of the practitioners’ unique experience. While it is something to be remembered, but not clung to, no experience is washed away. Both the belt and the Gi tell their own story. The uniform must be clean and sanitary at all times, but will show wear and imperfections which are unique to the student.
References:
Books:
Karate Technique and Spirt by Tadashi Nakamura
Budo Theory Exploring the Martial Arts Principles 2nd Edition by Richard Rowell
Internet:
Karate Dojo Etiquette by Brian Sagi
