Kyokushin Dojo Etiquette

General Dojo Etiquette

  1. Remove all footwear before entering the Dojo.
  2. When entering or leaving the Dojo, stand in the doorway, face the front, bow and say "OSU" twice. This represents a mark or respect for the Dojo and the people in it.
  3. If late for training, kneel at the side of the class towards the back, facing away in SEIZA (formal kneeling position). When the instructor acknowledges you, stand up, turn to the front , bow and say "OSU" then "Shitsurei Shimasu" (excuse me for disturbing), then quickly join the back of the class.
  4. Do not eat, drink or chew gum in the Dojo.
  5. Always move quickly in class when intructed to do something. DO NOT STROLL.
  6. Do not practise KUMITE unless instructed to do so.
  7. Do not break rank for any reason, without asking permission from the instructor. If you must leave your position, do not walk between the instructor and the class. Walk behind the row you are in to either side and proceed from there.
  8. Always address the instructor and seniors by their proper title (SENPAI, SENSEI, SHIHAN) inside the Dojo. Acknowledge them with a loud "OSU" when they speak to you.
  9. Your training should be a serious matter. Do not laugh, giggle, talk or cause disruption during the class. You should always stand in FUDO DACHI when awaiting the next command.
  10. All directions, by instructor, should be obeyed in the Dojo, without question. You will not be asked to do anything that your instructor has not done him/herself already. If you cannot keep up, do the best you can.
  11. Keep fingernails and toenails short and clean.
  12. During any breaks do not sit on chairs, lean against the wall or lie down. Do some stretching rather than waste time.
  13. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure the Dojo is clean, tidy and safe at all times.
  14. Your karate-gi must be neat and washed clean at all times. Your belt should NEVER be washed, only aired dry. It symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training, and under no circumstances are male karatekas allowed to wear t-shirts or other clothing underneath their karate-gi.
  15. All jewellery should be removed prior to training.

How To Get Into Seiza

  1. From Fudo Dachi
  2. Place both fists on your hips and drop onto the left knee keeping it in line with the heel of your right leg.
  3. Retract your right leg so that your right knee is on the floor in line with the left knee
  4. Sit back on your feet keeping your spine straight. Your knees should be three fists apart
  5. To stand up repeat the process in reverse by standing first on your right leg
  6. Then step up with your left leg into Fudo Dachi



How To Bow From Seiza

  1. From the seiza position
  2. At the same time place both fists on the floor one to two fists in front of the knees. Bend the upper body forwards 20 to 30 degrees. Keep your head bowed to the extent that you can still see in front of you.
  3. Return both fists to the hips at the same time and straighten the spine so that you are back in the seiza position



Starting The Class

  1. The class starts with the command "Seiretsu" (line up). On hearing this command students must line up as quickly as possible with the highest grades at the right hand side of the front row. Students should then arrange themselves in order of belt rank as quick as possible.
  2. Once students have lined up correctly the instructor will give the command "seiza" (kneel). Eveyone must sit in seiza and wait for the command to bow.
  3. The instructor will give the command "Shinzen ni rei" (bow to the front). Students should then bow and return to seiza.
  4. The instructor will then give the command "Mokuso" (begin meditation). Students should close their eyes and start to meditate in order to clear their mind for training.
  5. The instructor will then give the command "Mokuso yame" (end meditation). Students should open their eyes.
  6. The instructor will then give the command "Shihan ni rei" (bow to the shihan). Students should then bow and return to seiza.
  7. The instructor will then give the command "Sensei, senpai, otagaini ni rei" (bow to teacher, seniors and students). Students should then bow and return to seiza.
  8. The instructor will then give the command "Tattekudasai" (stand up). Students should stand up in Fudo dachi and await further instruction

Ending The Class

  1. The class ends with the command "Seiretsu" (line up). On hearing this command students must line up as quickly as possible with the highest grades at the right hand side of the front row. Students should then arrange themselves in order of belt rank as quick as possible.
  2. Once students have lined up correctly the instructor will give the command "seiza" (kneel). Eveyone must sit in seiza and wait for the command to bow.
  3. The instructor will give the command "Shinzen ni rei" (bow to the front). Students should then bow and return to seiza.
  4. The instructor will then give the command "Dojo kun" (Dojo Oath). The instructor recites each line of the dojo kun followed by the students.
  5. The instructor will then give the command "Mokuso" (begin meditation). Students should close their eyes and start to meditate in order to clear their mind for training.
  6. The instructor will then give the command "Mokuso yame" (end meditation). Students should open their eyes.
  7. The instructor will then give the command "Shihan ni rei" (bow to the shihan). Students should then bow and return to seiza.
  8. The instructor will then give the command "Sensei, Senpai, otagaini arigatougozaimasita" (teacher, senior grades, fellow students thank you very much). Students should then bow and return to seiza.
  9. The instructor will then give the command "Tattekudasai" (stand up). Students should stand up in Fudo dachi and await further instruction
  10. The instructor will then bow and say "Osu" to the highest graded student. This student then repeats the process with the next student and it is then rippled throutgh the class
  11. Students then move to the front of the dojo in rank order. Standing in front of the sensei everyone must bow whilst saying "Osu! arigatou gozaimashita", shake the right hand using both hands and then stand next to their predecesor to form a line. By doing this everyone has the opportunity to show their respect to their fellow students and have the opportunity to say thank you for being able to train with them.



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Last updated 18/05/2019