GANBAROU!

Karate does not begin and end with the forms and techniques of self-defence - ideally, it should inform our thoughts and actions both in and out-side of the dojo. In order to be a karateka we must not only learn to perfect our karate forms and techniques, but must also strive to practice good etiquette.

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Entering the Dojo

Upon entering the dojo we should bow and say “oss,” once to the dojo and once to our sensei when we see him. We bow as a show of respect, to our place of training and our sensei.

We must then remove our shoes and outdoor clothing, and get ourselves prepared for training as soon as possible.

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Arriving Late

As a mark of respect to our sensei and our fellow students we must always try our best to arrive on time to class. If we arrive late then we should get ready as quickly and as quietly as possible so as not to disturb the others. We should then kneel in seiza near to the door of the dojo, and wait for a signal from sensei to tell us that we can begin training. We then bow and say “oss sensei,” before quickly taking our position in line, making sure to move behind the class to avoid disrupting the others.

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Lining Up

We must always line up in grade order, making sure that we are not standing ahead of a more senior grade and that our line is straight. We should look to the most senior grade for an indication of where to stand, and make sure that we are in line with them. When standing our heels should be together, and our feet should point outwards at a 45-degree angle (as if forming two sides of a triangle) - this is known as musubi dachi position.

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During Training

We must only talk during class when given permission to do so by sensei. Otherwise, as a sign of respect, we must remain silent and attentive. The dojo must be a place of focus and discipline - if we talk out of turn then we risk not only disrupting our own focus and training, but also that of our fellow karateka.

When working in pairs we should always bow and say “oss” to each other, once before training in order to greet our partner, and once after training in order to thank them for training with us.

When sensei addresses us we should always acknowledge that we have heard and understood him by saying “oss” or “oss sensei.”

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After Training

At the end of class we will once again line up, before kneeling in seiza. When kneeling, our left knee goes down first, then our right. Sensei will announce “mokuso” and we will close our eyes for a short period of meditation, breathing deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth. When sensei announces “mokuso yame” we end our meditation. We now perform two bows, the first (“sensei ni rei”) is to sensei, the second (“autogane rei”) to our fellow karateka. We then stand as sensei brings the lesson to a close with a bow, which we return - “oss.”

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