Dojo Etiquette
Observance of proper etiquette is a fundamental part of the discipline of karate.
Failure to comply with the rules of etiquette is not only rude, but it shows a lack of respect for karate, other karate-ka and the instructor.
At Lydd Dojo we begin class at 6:30pm, thus your arrival should be prior to this time so that you are not late.
On entering the dojo, a karate-ka must:
– Remove his or her shoes.
– Bow, facing the dojo.
A karate-ka may not enter the dojo without the permission of the instructor.
On leaving the dojo:
– Karate-ka must face the dojo and bow.
A karate-ka may not leave the dojo without the permission of the instructor.
Late arrival at the dojo:
If a student is delayed and arrives late, it is bad etiquette to join in the session without permission from the instructor.
The student should then:
– Bow before entering the dojo
– Sit in seiza (kneeling position) at the back of the class until the instructor signals for them to join the session.
– Upon being so signalled, the student should rise, bow to the instructor, and join the session.
– At an appropriate moment, the student should apologise to the instructor for being late and explain their reason
Of course you should always try to arrive punctually. This is a mark of respect for your instructor and fellow karate-ka.
Whilst in the dojo
Under no circumstances should you:
– Eat in the Dojo.
– Use bad language.
– Drink fizzy drinks.
The utmost respect should be shown towards an Instructor. In particular:
– Behave with proper respect towards your instructor and other grades.
– Obedience must be shown to the instructions given by an instructor;
– Under no circumstances is talking permitted during Kata and Kihon;
– During pairs and Kumite it is permissible to discuss aspects of the techniques being practised.
– If an instructor indicates to a student that they are required to assist the instructor in demonstrating a technique, they should bow, and then approach the instructor and follow the latter’s requests.
– At the end of the demonstration, they should wait for the instructor to dismiss them, bow, and return to their place in the class.
– An instructor in charge of a class, if a black belt, should be addressed as Sensei. If that instructor is a Senior Kyu grade, they should be addressed as Sempai. A junior grade is a Kohai.
– Where a student has a question, they should attract the instructors’ attention before asking it.
Behaviour towards other grades
A karate-ka should show respect to all other grades.
– A senior grade must be referred to as “Sempai & a Black Belt instructing a class is referred to as Sensei.
– A black belt instructor of grade 3rd Dan or above is termed “Sensei” in all circumstances even though they are not instructing a class.
– Any occasion involving an ‘interaction’ between two karate-ka each will start and end with a bow. Thus a junior grade asking a senior grade for help will bow before asking his question, and both will bow once the point has been dealt with before the junior grade leaves.
– All pair techniques will begin and end with both karate-ka bowing to each other;
– Senior grades have a duty to help lower grades when asked for help, unless they are unable to assist. It is therefore not open to a senior grade to refuse to help a junior grade. Such a course of action would be a breach of etiquette.