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Dojo EtiquetteDojo Etiquette
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Okinawa Goju Ryu karate-do Precepts
The Founder of Goju Ryu Karate-do, Miyagi Chojun Sensei, was honored with the title
of "Bushi", (a worthy warrior. In Okinawa, "bushi" does not mean "samurai" as it does
in mainland Japan). As a warrior, Miyagi Sensei is worthy of special mention in the
history of Okinawan karate-do.
Miyagi Chojun Sensei would always explain "Bujutsu" (Martial arts), in simple language
and talk about the way people should live and the order of Nature. It is only that I
am aware of, and appreciate, the meaning and significance of his words. Through
training in martial arts, Miyagi Chojun Sensei searched for how human beings should be.
As people who have received Bushi Myiagi's discipline, we must be aware that Myiagi
Chojun Sensei is always with us and severely discipline ourselves through contnued
training. We should regard our training diamond, at first rough and dull. But with
hard austere and relentless training (or polish our techniques will begin to shine.
Even after this is achieved, we must not become and discontinue training or the diamond
will once again become dull. It needs constant polishing to stay sharp and bright. We
should apply this philosophy not only to the training our karate techniques, but also
to the development of our hearts and minds.
We therefore take the words of our Sensei to heart as the precepts of Goju Ryu and recite
them here.
- It should be known that secret principles of Goju Ryu exist in the "Kata"
"Kata" (prearranged forms) are not simply an exhibition of forms. They are a concrete
manifestation of techniques which can be transformed at any time to any form. It is
in the "kata" that the essence of karate has assumed a definite form. We should always
remember that the kata are a crystalization of the essence of karate and that we should
always begin afresh and train hard. It is only through the training of kata that you
will reach "gokui", the essential teaching.
- Goju Ryu Karate-do is a manifestation within one's own self of the harmonious accord
of the universe.
"As supple as a willow, as solid as Mount Tai (a mountain often referred to in Chinese
poetry)". It is when the two extremes of hard and soft are wholly united as one body
that the unshakable form of the harmony of heaven and earth will evolve. We find this
harmony of hard and soft within the order of Nature and the oneness of the Universe.
Through the way of Goju Ryu Karate-do we will be able to express the harmony of Nature
within ourselves.
- The way of Goju Ryu Karate-do is to seek the way of virtue.
In Goju Ryu Karate-do, we try to cultivate the ideal human nature of physical and spiritual
union through the training of the body and spirit. Originally, in the way of strategy,
there was the concept "to win", but to win through virtue is the ultimate goal. Therefore,
anyone who aspires to this way must not forget the Japanese character ("nin", to endure).
Heighten one's own virtue, master the strategy of winning without fighting and seek the
ultimate secret.
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| Dojo Etiquette |
The dojo is a sacred place where we train ourselves physically and mentally.
The students should respect the dojo and observe the following etiquette:
| 1) | The students should observe the training schedule.
The students should not be late for training. |
| 2) | Before entering the dojo, remove outer
clothing such as coat, scarf and hat. After taking off your shoes at the entrance, place
them neatly in order, place them in order, also. |
| 3) | If a senior student is standing behind you at
the entrance, let him/her go first. |
| 4) | Upon entering the dojo, say "Onegai
shimasu", meaning "Please help me", clearly and cheerfully. |
| 5) | Upon entering the dojo, show respect
by bowing to the dojo shrine. |
| 6) | Always be polite to your instructors, senior
students and elders. |
| 7) | Before starting practice, go to the toilet. |
| 8) | Always try to keep you training clothes clean
and tidy. Always practice in clean training clothes in the dojo. |
| 9) | Be aware of your physical condition. |
| 10) | Keep your finger nails and toe nails short,
to prevent injury to other students when practicing together. |
| 11) | Do not eat for an hour before practice. |
| 12) | Do not forget to do warm up exercises before
practicing, even if you are practicing alone. |
| 13) | When you observe the training at the dojo,
sit in the proper way, do not stretch your legs out. Put your hands on your lap. |
| 14) | When the instructor calls for "Mokuso!"
(meditation), close your eyes, breathe deeply from the lower stomach, concentrate on the
tanden (lower abdomen), and try to achieve concentration. |
| 16) | While practicing, listen carefully and seriously
to the advice and instructions given to you. |
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| 17) | When you use the training equipment, handle it
with care. |
| 18) | When an instructor gives you some advice, listen
carefully and sincerely. Do not forget to show that you have heard and understood the advice.
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| 19) | Each student should know his physical condition,
stamina and phyical strength well. Do not force yourself to do the impossible. |
| 20) | The instructor should always observe the physical
condition of each student. Take a short break in the middle of the training period. |
| 21) | Five minutes before the end of the training period,
do the closing exercises together with all of the students. |
| 22) | When the closing exercises are finished, sit in
the "seiza" form in the original position. |
| 23) | Make yourself calm and quiet, concentrate your
mind, and recite the precepts of the dojo. |
| 24) | Bow to the instructor, senior students and each
other with appreciation and respect. |
| 25) | The beginners and coloured belt students should
ask senior students if they have any questions. It is important to study about karate
always. |
| 26) | Do not forget to thank any one who gives you some
advice on karate. |
| 27) | Baths which are exessively hot are not good for
you. Nor should you spend too long a time in the bath. |
| 28) | Cigarettes damage your health in innumerable ways.
Smoking does not have even one redeeming feature. |
| 29) | When you injure yourself, do not practice until
the injury is completely healed. Watch the training during these periods. |
| 30) | Upon leaving the dojo, do not forget to
say "Arigato gozaimashita" (Thank you very much), or "Shitsurei shimasu"
(excuse me). |
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