Dojo Etiquette of

Worcester Wado-Ryu

·                 Always remove shoes before entering the dojo.

·                 Switch off mobile phones or set them to silent.

·                 Bow towards the kamiza (photographs of our deceased instructors) on entering and leaving the dojo.

The kamiza is a gentle reminder of the source of our art.    Our club’s kamiza is very simple, consisting only of a photograph of the founder of our style, Ohtsuka Sensei, and the first chief instructor of our club, Takamizawa Sensei.  Bowing to the kamiza is a sign of respect to our late Sensei, and to thank them for what they have passed down to us.

·                 When late for a lesson, kneel down and bow to the kamiza three times, then wait for an instructor to call you to join the other students.  Only then stand up, bow once more, then join the class.

We bow three times at the start and at the end of each class.  The first bow “Shomen-ni-rei”, or “bow to the front”, is to show respect to our deceased instructors.  The second bow, “Sensei-ni-rei”, or “bow to the teacher(s)”, is to show respect to the teachers of the current class.  The third bow, “o-to-gai-ni-rei”, or “bow to the other students”, is to show respect to the rest of the students in the class. 

At the same time as the “o-to-gai-ni-rei” at the start of a class all students say out loud “onegai shimasu”, meaning “please give us a good lesson”.  At the same time as the “o-to-gai-ni-rei” at the end of a class all students say out loud “arigato gozaimashita”, meaning “thank you very much”.

·                 Give respect to instructors and other students:

*                Pay attention when an instructor is talking.

*                When in line face front, do not talk, or make any noise.

*                Do not walk in between an instructor and another student.

*                Address any instructor as “ Sensei”, not by name, when in the dojo.

*                Address any senior student that is supervising you as “ Sempai”.

·                 Make sure that your gi (karate suit) is clean and tidy at all times.

·                 Make sure that your finger and toe nails are cut short and are clean.

·                 If you have long hair, make sure that it is securely tied back so that it does not obstruct your view.  Only use soft elastic bands or ties, and/ or plastic clips, not metal clips.

·                 Remove all jewellery including your watch.  Exception: a wedding band that is difficult to remove should be wrapped in surgical tape.

·                 If you see any litter or obstruction on the dojo floor then remove it to a safe place.  Remember to remove all your possessions and any litter from the dojo at the end of your class.

 

·                 We also ask all spectators or visitors to the dojo to respect our etiquette:

*                To please remove shoes and bow on entering the dojo.

*                To please switch off mobile phones or set them to silent.

*                To please refrain from talking, eating, reading, or using mobile phones.