DOJO ETIQUETTE
In general most classes in the UK are run in Leisure Centres
or similar facilities. In this type of environment participants
sometimes forget the true meaning and importance of Dojo Etiquette.
The bow is the basic form of respect and gratitude. Stand
facing the kamidana and bow on entering and leaving the practice
area of the dojo and when stepping on or off the mat. A few
minutes before practice begins, warm up and sit in seiza (kneeling)
in quiet meditation. This time is to rid your mind of the
day's problems and to prepare for Aikido practise. The formal
bow to begin and end practice is a bow in the direction of
the kamidana (deity-shelf), and then a mutual bow between
instructor and students. Effort should be made to be on time
for class. If unavoidably late, sit in seiza at the side of
the mat and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you. If
it is necessary to leave early, inform the instructor before
class. Do not enter or leave the mat area while the instructor
is showing a technique. After the instructor shows a technique,
students bow, choose partners quickly, bow to each other,
and begin to practice. At the end of a practice session, stop
practice immediately, bow, and quickly line up in seiza. Wait
for further instruction.
The expression used at the beginning of class and of each
individual practice is onegaishimasu. After each practice
session, domo arigato gozaimashita is the expression used
and it is used also after class. Traditionally, the instructor's
title is Sensei (Teacher) in the dojo. The proper and preferred
way to sit during practice is in seiza. A cross-legged sitting
position is acceptable if seiza is not possible, the instructor
should be informed. Always, a balanced, straight posture should
be maintained. Do not lean on walls or posts, never sit with
legs outstretched. Students should not sit with their backs
to the kamidana or pass between the instructor and the kamidana
or sit on the kamidana.
Dogi’s should be clean and in good repair. Body, hands
and feet should be washed and clean; fingernails and toenails
must be trimmed short. All jewellery, watches and rings should
be removed before class. Do not use alcohol or drugs before
class. Without full alertness practice can be dangerous for
yourself and others. Blood is a potential source of infection.
If you are bleeding, immediately leave the mat and attend
to the injury. It is important to cover the wound thoroughly
and to clean any blood from the mat. Do not let your blood
come into contact with other students.
Once class has started, students should not leave the mat
without consultation with the instructor. Please do not eat,
during class, any drinks should be consumed away from the
mat area and at the discretion of the instructor. When watching
a class off the mat, watch quietly from the back of the dojo.
After class it is traditional for the students to sweep the
mat area, this should be treated as an honour and not a chore.
The western equivalent would be for the students to take up
the mat area and store it correctly. Occasionally the mat
should be cleaned and sometimes repaired. Again the students
should feel that it is their duty and out of respect to do
these jobs and not to try and skive out of them.
If you have been to a dojo that was built and prepared according
to the Japanese tradition, you may have seen a shrine in the
front of the dojo. The Shinto alter is called ‘Kamidana’
in Japanese and traditionally, every household had one. Kamidana
is provided to enshrine a deity and its purpose is to be a
reminder to think about higher moral thoughts and principals.
Bowing to the kamidana signifies paying respect to God, nature
and every person and object around us. It is also to show
appreciation of having good health and being fortunate enough
to be able to carry out work duties, study, or if it is in
the dojo, the appreciation of being able to practise. On the
kamidana in the shinden are one or a few ofuda enshrined.
They are sacred pieces of paper or wood received from a shine
and give divine protection against calamity and misfortune.
Rice, sake, water and salt are ingredients symbolic to Shinto
and are offered to the divine. Shimenawa, or the enclosing
rope on the top of the shinden is a symbol, which designates
a holy place. On each side of the shinden are two vases with
branches from the sakaki tree; an evergreen tree which is
the sacred tree of Shinto. Kamidana should face south or east
in a light high clean place. It can be colocated with the
shomen, the front of the dojo, but in no circumstance should
the kamidana face to the north or west. Also, it should never
be placed above an entrance or exit in the intent that no
humans can pass in and out beneath the kamidana.
The term ‘kamiza’ in Japanese means the seat
where people of high rank or guests sits, and is the farthest
from the entrance, in front of the ‘tokonoma’
or alcove in Japan.
1) Shimenawa (enclosing rope)
2) Kagami (mirror): an indication of pure light, which expresses
the bright
clarifying light of the Gods as well as the Truth and the
Mind free of all
defilements
3) Sakaki (sacred wood)
4) Ghoshikinuno (five-coloured cloth)
5) Tomyo (sacred light)
6) Osonaemono (offerings): Objects which are made as offerings
every morning. Rice (cleaned, uncooked or steamed rice), water,
salt on the first of the month, products of the mountains
and sea on the fifteenth, and sake at festival times and on
the first of a crop of rice are offered.
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