Dojo

Etiquette and Terminology

As a beginner you will find that etiquette in a martial art dojo is somewhat different than that which you would encounter in other activities; Karate follows a practice of respect and the etiquette, this forms a common bond the world over.

Entering the Dojo

  • Always remove footwear before entering a Dojo
  • Bow at the doorway upon entering and leaving the Dojo
  • If you arrive late to a class, step into the dojo and kneel, wait for Sensei to call you to enter.

How to Tie Your Belt click here to see the video

SENSEI

A literal translation means “teacher”; however, it is usually reserved for the chief instructor of the dojo, or visiting instructors from another dojo.

SEMPAI

Students ranked higher than you

OSU

This term is used frequently in the dojo and is derived from “Onore Wa Shinobu”, meaning “I will persevere”. The use of this term is broad and usually indicates an attitude of respect. Examples of such use:

  • At the beginning and ending of a class under the direction of the sempai with a kneeling bow
  • When answering a question, YES, to a question directed at you from the instructor
  • In a class session in response to a direction given by the instructor, indicating the class has understood the direction

BEGINNING AND ENDING A CLASS

The following is the sequence of commands that you will be expected to follow at the opening and closing of a class.

SHUGO - Come together – line up facing the front, in order of rank, with seniors to your right

SEIZA - Knee

MOKSO – Clear the mind, meditate – close the eyes and take slow deep breaths to relax and clear all thoughts other than the ones for training.

MOKSO YAME – Stop meditating – open the eyes

DOJO KUN – Philosophy of dojo – repeat after the sempai (at end of class only) (click here for dojo kun)

SHOMEN-NI-REI – Kneeling bow to the front

SENSEI-NI-REI – Kneeling box to the instructor

After the instructor leaves the Sempai will dismiss the students.
There should be no talking or fidgeting during this time.

 

General Hints For Beginners

One of the most important principles of martial arts to remember is “mutual benefit”; all members are here to help each other, so don’t be afraid in asking for help or advice no matter how trivial you may think your question sounds.

During your first few classes don’t try to keep up with the other members or get discouraged when you get tired or can’t keep up. Everyone is different and will progress at their own pace, your Sensei understands this.

General Terminology

Do
Literally means the way or path. The DO is the way of self development.
Kiai
Short, sharp, audible sound made at the instant of focus to help tense the body and focus the mind for maximum effectiveness.
Kime
Focus, the concentration of mind and body to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Zanshin
The state of total awareness and composure before, during and after an encounter.
Jodan
Face Level
Chudan
Stomach Level
Gedan
Lower Level
Sensei
Teacher
Sempai
Senior Belt
Ken
Fist
Seiken
Fore Fist
Ippon-ken
One Knuckle Fist
Nakadaka-ken
Middle Knuckle Fist
Nukite
Spear Hand
Ippon-nukite
One Finger Spear Hand
Dojo
Training Hall
Shihai
Tournament
Makiwara
Punching Board
Hajime
Begin
Yame
Finish
Enorae
Relax
Mokso
Breathing Exercise
Seiza
Formal Kneeling Position
Gi
Uniform
Obi
Belt
Kyu
Junior Rank
Dan
Senior Rank
Shihan
Master
Mawatte
Turn
Shugo
Assemble (line up)
Yoi
Ready
Karate-ka
Person practising Karate

Stances (dachi)

Zenkutsu-dachi
Front Stance
Kiba-dachi
Side Stance
Kokutsu-dachi
Back Stance
Fudo-dachi
Rooted Stance
Hangetsu-dachi
Half-Moon Stance
Sanchin-dachi
Hour-Glass Stance
Neiko Ashi-dachi
Cat Stance
Shiko-dachi
Square Stance
Heisoku-dachi
Feet and toes together
Musubi-dachi
Heels together, toes at 45 degrees
Hachiji-dachi
Feet shoulder Width and pointed out
Heiko-dachi
Feet shoulder width and straight
Uchu Hachiji-dachi
Feet shoulder width and pointed in
Teiji-dachi
T-Angled Stance
Renoji-dachi
L-Angled stance

Counting

Ichi
One
Ni
Two
San
Three
Shi
Four
Go
Five
Roku
Six
Shichi
Seven
Hachi
Eight
Ku
Nine
Ju
Ten

Blocking (uke)

Age-uke
Rising Block
Soto Ude-uke
Outside Forearm Block
Uchi Ude-uke
Inside Forearm Block
Shoto-uke
Knife Hand Block
Gedan-barei
Downward Block
Juji-uke
X-Block
Haishu-uke
Backhand Block
Kakiwaki-uke
Inside Wedge Hand Block
Moroto-uke
Reinforced Block
Nagashi-uke
Sweeping Block Knife
Tate Shuto-uk
Hand Block (arm straight)

Punching (tsuki)

Choku-tsuki
Front Punch
Oi-tsuki
Lunge Punch
Gyaku-tsuki
Reverse Punch
Kizami-tsuki
Leading Hand Jab
Sanbon-tsuki
Three Punch Combination
Ura-tsuki
Half Punch
Kage-tsuki
Hook Punch
Mawashi-tsuki
Round House Punch
Moroto-tsuki
Double Punch
Yama-tsuki
Mountain Punch
Age-tsuki
Rising Punch

Kicking (geri)

Mae-geri
Front Snap Kick
Yoko-geri Keage
Side Snap Kick
Yoko-geri Kekomi
Side Thrust Kick
Mawashi-geri
Roundhouse Kick
Fumikomi-geri
Downward Thrust Kick
Ushiro-geri
Back Thrust Kick
Ashi-barei
Knee Kick
Naimae-ashi
Returning Wave Kick
Mikasuki-geri
Crescent Kick
Gyaku Mawashi-geri
Reverse Round House Kick
Kakato-geri
Axe Kick

Striking (uchi)

Uraken
Back Fist
Shuto-uchi
Knife Hand Strike
Teisho-uchi
Palm Heel Strike
Kentsui-uchi
Hammer Fist Strike
Empi-uchi
Elbow Strike
Haito-uchi
Ridge Hand Strike
Nukite
Spear Hand

Sparring (kumite)

Sanbon Kumite
Three Step Basic Sparring
Gohon Kumite
Five Step Basic Sparring
Kihon Ippon Kumite
One Step Basic Sparring
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
One Step Semi Free Sparring
Jiyu Kumite
Sparring Free Sparring

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