Traditional Karate > Dojo Respect

It is imperative that proper etiquette be practiced by all students. Though some of the rules may at first seem strange to the new student, it should be remembered that these rules have been found to provide the best atmosphere in which to learn the way of Karate. Karate begins and ends with respect and courtesy. The dojo is a sanctuary and lends itself to the person who is looking for the better things in life.

Bowing

Bows are the traditional way of displaying respect and humility. Za-rei, or Formal bows, are executed by kneeling with hands made into fists, knuckles resting on the floor, and feet crossed. Informal bows (Tachi-rei) are executed by standing with heels together, feet pointed at 45 degree angle, hands at the sides with palms turned toward the thighs, bowing from the waist. They are used to begin and end an informal class, and before and after each of the following:

• Entering or leaving the Dojo (school)
• Addressing another student (especially higher ranking students)
• Addressing a Sensei (Black Belt Instructor)
• Katas
• Kumite
• Any time you wonder if you need to...

Gi

Gi (pronounced "ghee") is the Okinawan word for "uniform". Kyu ranks (those below black belt) will wear a clean white gi. A patch identifying the style and/or organization to which the student belongs are the only ornaments permitted for the gi. The gi should be a practical workout garment. It is not a walking billboard for your name or your school. Remember: If you're good enough people will ask for your name and the name of your school and style.

Sempai-Kohai

This story is a compilation of other's writings and contributions, and appeared in a slightly different version on the Karate CyberDojo. It has since been copied by many groups. This piece eloquently explains a phenomenon that exists in Isshin-Ryu.

In the Japanese culture, there exists a relationship known as sempai-kohai (seniors and juniors). This relationship exists in all facets of the culture, from shopworkers to skilled tradesmen. For our purposes, I would like to relate this to our experience in the dojo.

When you become part of a dojo, those already training there are your seniors, your sempai. Those who come after you are your kohai, your juniors. This is regardless of rank, age or experience. Since everyone has a relationship to those above or below him, this system keeps things moving in an orderly manner.

It employs a method called on-giri (debt, duty or obligation). The junior has a certain debt which he owes his seniors by virtue of their willingness to pass on what they have learned. The senior in turn has a duty to his sensei and dojo to bring his junior up through the ranks as a big brother would a little brother (whether 'brother' is either male or female). By being your senior, by helping you, by kicking you when you are lazy, by acting as an advisor, coach and confidante, the sempai assumes a tremendous responsibility. The kohai who has been tutored and taken care of by his sempai becomes an onjin, a person under obligation, and as old Japanese adage goes, "Life and death are light as a feather, but obligation, obligation is heavy as a mountain."

The master instructor or system head is responsible for teaching the sensei (even though his students may also receive instruction during seminars and clinics). The sensei is responsible for disseminating information to the seniors of the dojo, even though many of the juniors profit from his/her instruction. However, it is the seniors' responsibility to tutor the juniors and help them along whenever possible. Often the instruction is not as formal as the sensei's; rather it is given by example. Just as every sensei has his/her specific method of passing on a style, every senior student unconsciously develops a favored method for helping sensei do so. These methods become like a dojo sub-style. When a visitor from another dojo settles in, he may have a few lessons to teach himself, or he may have a few to receive depending on where he falls in the sempai-kohai relationship.

Based upon the deep respect for loyalty and obligation that characterized old Japan, the sempai-kohai relationship is one that often extends throughout the lives of those involved in it. It is a convention that allows a kohai to begin to develop the attitudes of helpfulness and leadership that are necessary for mastery, and so in a reciprocal way the lives of the sempai and kohai are bettered.

At times, the sempai-kohai system may seem difficult. For the junior it may seem that his movements are criticized. Even outside the dojo he finds his behavior under the watchful eye of a senior who is quick to chasten. In spite of its apparent drawbacks, it really works rather well. If you are beginner in the martial arts, remember that and listen carefully to the advice of your sempai. Their experience is hard won. If you are a more advanced student, keep in mind that training is only a part of your purpose in the dojo. There are kohai in need of your guidance and it is up to you to set the example.