As a beginner you will probably think
that Dojo is just a Japanese word for martial arts school. Nothing could
be further from the truth. One factor that a new student of Judo should
keep in mind is the Dojo is not a school, and its purpose is many fold.
The prime objective of a Judo Dojo is the continuance of Judo. The
Sensei is obliged to instruct his students, as he was taught by his
former Sensei. The students he teaches are left up to the Sensei. The
Sensei does not have to accept new students If he wishes not to do so.
If you are accepted as a student of a Dojo and the Sensei feels that you
will be a great credit to Judo and his Dojo you should feel very honored
to be accepted as one of his students.
As a student you are expected to
attend every class possible and make the most of each and every training
session. You should always be loyal to your Dojo and your Sensei. If you
wish to travel to or visit another Dojo in your area always ask the
permission of your Sensei before doing so. If he or she says no, then
take It for what it is worth and do not ask why, as his reasons are his
own and best left alone. Some of the reasons may be the Dojo you wish to
visit does not Instruct good Judo, or they teach techniques that are
beyond your limits, etc.
Proper Japanese etiquette (reishiki)
must always be upheld at the highest level. There are too many rules for
you to learn all at once. In time you will learn them. Your instructor
can be any Black Belt rank, the higher ranked your instructor the more
respect should be shown to them.
A great myth is that there is a
religion that goes along with Judo not true. There is no religion taught
with Judo. Please keep in mind that Judo came from Japan and it is a
Japanese sport, and it has many Japanese customs along with it. These
may seem very strange to a Westerner, even ridiculous to some. That's
the point, those who feel that way have no business in a Judo Dojo. The
Sensei of such a Dojo is not satisfied with having you like the place
and want to study there, He wants love at first sight. For you do not
truly join a Dojo, you own a part of it. Don't look for a window full of
trophies, as we don't sell trophies. We promote and teach the old method
of Judo that my former Sensei's taught me. Judo is not like other
sports. You put in to it, and get back two to three times what you gave.
The Dojo should always be a place for
serious study of Judo. When you enter any Dojo you should enter with a
clean mind, and pay attention to all instruction given. All students
must be on their best behavior at all times in the Dojo: each student
should set a high standard of discipline. The higher ranked students are
expected to set an example while in the Dojo for the lower grade
students to follow. There should also be a picture of Jigoro Kano in the
KAMIZA area (JOSEKI) seat of honor. And all Judoka are expected to put
their shoes or slippers away in the rack outside prior to going on the
mat surface.
If you are a spectator at a Judo Dojo
remember you are a guest and expected to act like one at all times.
Instructors take a dim view of spectators who sit and talk to others in
the Dojo spectator area and disrupt classes. A Judo Dojo is a place for
practice and many Judo Dojos do not have a space for spectators. If you
are not offered a seat do not be offended, as you are a guest and the
purpose of the Dojo is to train Judo players and not entertain you. If
you are a parent and you are setting on the sidelines, you are not to
give them any instructions from the sidelines and at no time are you
allowed to go on the mat to help instruct your child. Many instructors
will ask you to leave the Dojo. When you or your child is at the Dojo,
it is up to the Sensei, not you, to give instruction.
From the very first time you enter any
Dojo, you are expected to show and learn the proper reishiki (etiquette
or mat manners). The western culture of Judo reishiki in some Dojo's has
long gotten away from the proper way of reishiki. There are many reasons
for this: some being laziness of the instructor; many feel that it has
nothing to do with the techniques of Judo, so they omit it; lack of
interest on the student's part; lack of proper instruction on the
instructors part. It should be stressed to all players or Judoka from
the youngest up into Sensei ranks as well. True Judoka will want to
learn all that they can, not just Nagewaza (throwing techniques) but all
forms including the Japanese terms and influences as well as reishiki.
Bowing
Through very specific customs an orderly, functional and
efficient method of conduct has been laid down for use in all Dojo. One
of the very first items of etiquette which the Deshi (student) must
learn is when they enter or leave any Dojo, they must perform a Ritsu
Rei (standing bow) in and out of the Dojo. This Rei is not just a
physical thing to do, but is also mentally done. By this I mean that
when entering the Dojo each Deshi (student) clears his or her mind of
all evil and negative thoughts, and feels good about themselves with the
good thoughts in mind to be a better person for what they are about to
learn, or what they have learned at the Dojo before leaving.
The second time that they are required
to Rei is when they are about to enter or leave the mat area. Also at
this time their minds should be clean and fresh with desire to learn and
to become at ease with themselves.
The third time they Rei is before and
after working out with a partner. This is done with much respect as you
are asking your training partner for the pleasure of working out with
you, also you are saying I come with a clean mind, and have no intention
of hurting you; in the event I or you should suffer injury, no ill
feelings shall exist between us.
Entering the Dojo
When you are ready to enter the Dojo, you are expected to
make a Ritsu-Rei (standing bow) at the entrance of the Dojo. Upon
entering you should face the mat area towards the Kamiza (the wall with
Professor Kano's picture), when doing this ritsu rei(standing bow). When
you have donned your Judogi (if you change at the Dojo) and you are
about to enter the mat area, you will again perform a ritsu rei before
entering on the mat area. After you have gotten on the mat area you
should take up the proper seiza (kneeling-seated) position in the proper
place according to your belt rank. You should never sit in a anza (cross
legged) position until told to do so by the Sensei. You should never
start any taiso (warm-up exercises) or do any ukemi (falling practice)
until the Sensei has formally opened the class.
Opening and Closing of Classes
Before opening or closing of any class session, all
students and instructors shall take their proper positions on the mat
area according to proper reishiki. The four sides of a Dojo are very
important in reishiki, for each has a specific code of ethics to follow.
The KAMIZA is the highest point of
honor in a Dojo. It is the upper seat or seat of honor in which proper
reishiki is reserved for the highest dan holders. At no time while in a
Dojo may a Judoka stand with his back to the Kamiza, nor at any time sit
in the Kamiza area. Even while doing taiso (calisthenics), your back
should never be towards the Kamiza. Only the senior sensei of the Dojo
can have his back to the Kamiza.
In proper reishiki no instructor or
black belt below the rank of ninth dan should be allowed to sit with his
back to the Kamiza for opening or closing the class.
Joseki is the
second most important area of a Dojo. In proper reishiki, if the
instructor of the Dojo is below the rank of ninth dan he or she should
be placed to the right of the Kamiza in the joseki area. Only those
equal in rank sit in this area. If the sensei wishes he may have any of
the black belts sit next to him on his left side. In proper reishiki all
lesser ranks should always be on the left side.
Shimoseki is the
third ranked area of importance in the Dojo. It is the place all lower
ranked black belts should sit. For example, if the instructor is a sixth
or seventh dan he would sit in the middle of the Joseki area facing the
Shimoseki area and all lower ranking black belts would sit facing him.
The higher ranked of these black belts would sit closest to the Kamiza
area.
Shimoza is the
lowest ranked area of the Dojo. All Mudansha (a person of senior age
from 17 years and older and less than a Black Belt rank) should be lined
up from right to left in order of rank, the highest sitting to the right
and then down to the lowest rank of the players.
After all the Senior ranked mudansha
have been seated in line then should come all the shonen and yonen
ranked players according to belt rank. After the senior aged players the
shonen and yonen line up according to rank not age.
All students and assistant Instructors
shall take their position in the proper area of the Dojo and sit in a
seiza position (kneeling seated) and the senior instructor shall take
his place to the right facing the Kamiza in the proper place of the
Joseki at the beginning and end of the class. The senior Judoka, if one
is seated in the Shimoseki, shall give the verbal command of "Kamiza-
Ni", which is a preparatory command at which time any students sitting
in the Shimoseki shall turn half left and face the Kamiza, and anyone
sitting in the Joseki will turn half right to face the Kamiza, and
everyone will observe a pause of a 8 to 10 seconds until the senior
student once again shall give the command of "REI". When this command is
given all those sitting on the mat area shall simultaneously make a
correct ZAREI (kneeling bow) to the Kamiza.
The next command should come after
another slight pause of another 8 to 10 seconds. The senior student will
again give the preparatory command of "Sensei ni", at which time those
in the Shimoseki will make a half right turn to face the Joseki area and
everyone in the Joseki area will make a half left turn to face the
Shimoseki. Then the senior ranked student will say, "REI", at which time
the instructor and students shall all bow at the same time. At the end
of the class they will repeat the process, but with "Sensei Ni, Rei"
first and then with "Kamiza Ni -Rei" closing the class. Note: it is
improper for the students to stand before the instructor stands. Remain
seated until all Black belts are standing and then at that time the rest
of the students may stand.
Correct
Sitting While in a Dojo
When in any Dojo you are to remain seated in the correct
Seiza (kneeling seated) unless the Sensei tells you to sit some other
way. The proper way to sit is ether the Seiza, or Anza (cross legged).
At no time is anyone below the rank of Black Belt rank is ever allowed
to sit in the Kamiza area of the Dojo.
When you are seated in a Dojo it is
improper to sit with your feet and legs stretched out in front of you,
or to lay back on the mat in any manner, unless you are engaged in some
kind of special training, or doing a special type of Taiso. It is also
improper to lean back with one or both hands on the mat behind you.
So many of the western Dojo's I have
visited embarrass me because of the lack of reishiki. It is totally
relaxed or even totally absent from the Dojo. Not only do the Deshi
(students) walk onto and off the mat area when they please without the
proper Rel, but they also fail to show respect for the instructors or
fellow students. Some just lay on the mats, freely talking or playing
around and even chewing gum. At Judo Tournaments you can look how many
Judoka (players) walk around, or lay around, the contest area. It all
goes back to the instructors at the Dojo level. I have seen people lying
around the mat area drinking soft drinks, chewing gum, with their Uwagi
(Jacket) open and half hanging off their bodies, or not wearing one at
all, or they will be walking around dragging their Obi's (belt) behind
them on the ground. This just shows the lack of respect some people have
for Judo, and their instructors. It is everyone's responsibility who
sees someone committing violations like these to tell these people to
get straight and start acting like a true Judoka should.
The Sensei
In proper Japanese, the word Sensei means Instructor or
Honored Teacher.
In proper reishiki one is not called a
Sensei until achieving the rank of godan (5th degree black belt). But
very few Western Dojo's have black belts that have attained the rank of
godan so it would be proper to call a shodan rank (first degree black
belt) a Sensei if he was the instructor of a Dojo.
As I said, in the Japanese language
Sensei means "Instructor or Honored Teacher". Therefore we use this term
in Judo also. Your instructor shall always be called Sensei, or Mr.,
Mrs., or Ms., (last name), for example Jones Sensei, but never by a
first name. When there is more than one black belt in the Dojo only the
Senior Instructor should be called Sensei. All others addressed formally
with Mr., Ms. Also, your Sensei may be distinguished from other
instructors with his or her surname and Sensei, as in: "Smith Sensei".
In proper reishiki, if your Sensei is
speaking with another, and you wish to speak to him, you walk to within
3 or 4 feet, stop, and wait for the Sensei to recognize you. Then Rei
and state your business. After you are through, take a step back, Rei
and leave.
Remember, it is not proper to call a
black belt by their first name. Always address them formally as
Mr./Mrs./Ms. Jones. Also it is not proper to address a black belt below
the rank of godan (5th Dan) as Sensei. However because so few Dojos have
a godan or higher instructor, it is permissible to call your senior
instructor Sensei if he is at least a shodan (1st Dan). It is not proper
to call a person below the rank of shodan "Sensei".
During any ceremony at a tournament,
players shall be in complete Judogi, and not have a sweat shirt or
Jacket over the gi. Just report in the complete Judogi only. Also you
should have some type or footwear for when you are not in the mat area.
Some type of slippers are best since they can be quickly taken off and
put on. Never wear any type of foot wear on the contest area.
In proper etiquette at a tournament
all contestants line up in a single line facing the Kamiza (or head
table area) by Dojo across the mat area. All officials will line up
facing the contestants. A designated official will command "REI" and at
one time all contestants and officials will perform ritsu rei. Next all
officials will turn and face the Kamiza and again execute the Ritsu Rei.
Every effort should be made to
preserve the traditional standards of judo. Well disciplined Judo
Players will be aware of these standards. Well trained classes of Judo
players will display the proper reishiki of Judo. If we do not keep the
true basic values of Judo alive, then we as Judo players will lose it
for future Judoka. It is very important for each player to take
responsibility to preserve these traditional forms of reishiki. Each of
you should do your part.
