Reishiki
UNDER CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
1. Seating Order in Dojo:
Kamiza and Shimoza In Japanese society, rank and relationship between individuals is important to maintain the social structure. One of the most important rules of business etiquette in Japan is the knowledge of the seating order, kamiza and shimoza. The most important person sits on the honoured seat (kamiza) which is located farthest from the entrance. The host or the least important person is supposed to sit next to the entrance (shimoza). Also, there are more factors to be considered in every specific case. Three Basic Rules of the Kamiza and Shimoza
The senior person(s) takes the kamiza and the junior person(s) takes the shimoza.
Far from the entrance is the kamiza and close to the entrance is the shimoza.
The right side is the kamiza and the left side is the shimoza.
2. Bowing in and out:
Bowing, simply put, is a way in which one shows their respect for something or someone. In karate dojo, the respect is paid to dojo, kaiso, instructors, and fellow students. When it is time for class to begin or end, either the instructor or a senior student will announce that it is time to line up. Lining up should be done quickly and quietly. When everybody is lining up, the lining order should be correct and straight. Then the most senior student who is present will command the bowing in and out.
Diagram 1
This diagram is based on our dojo's reishiki layout.
Diagram 2
This diagram is based on our traditional North American / International Camp.
Seating can vary based on the location of the entrance of the dojo
Diagram 3
This diagram is based on a complete international contingency
Bowing Procedures for Local/Regional Dojo
1. 整列 Seiretsu! Line Up!
2. 気を付け Kiotsuke! Attention!
3. 正座 Seiza! Sit! (On Knees)
4. 黙想 Mokusou! (and mokuso naore) Close one’s eyes
Dojo-Shuyokun / Dojo Virtues / Creed / Oath (at Bowing Out only)
5. 全日本空手道剛柔会 修養訓 五ヶ条 (Zen Nihon Karate-do Goju-kai Shuyo-kun Goka-jo)
The Five Precepts of Japan Karate-do Goju-kai Association
我等空手道を修るものは (Warera Karate-dou wo osamuru mono wa:)
We the students of Goju Ryu, do aspire to these virtues:
一つ、剛柔の道を学ぶを以て誇りとすべし。 (Hitotsu - Goujuu no michi wo manabu wo motte hokori to subeshi.)
1. We are proud to study the way of Goju
一つ、礼儀を正しくすべし。 (Hitotsu - Reigi wo tadashiku subeshi.)
1. We are courteous in manners
一つ、質実剛健を旨とすべし。 (Hitotsu – Shitsu-jitsu gouken wo mune to subeshi.)
1. We strive to develop courage and fighting spirit
一つ、団結互助の精神を養うべし。 (Hitotsu - Danketsu gojo no seishin wo yashinau beshi.)
1. We cultivate fellowship and understanding
一つ、日本古来の伝統たる尚武の気風を尊重すべし。 (Hitotsu - Nippon korai no dentou taru shoubu no kifuu wo sonchou subeshi.)
1. We respect the ideals of loyalty and honor, traditional from olden times in Japan.
6. Shomen oyobi Kaiso ni taishite rei (and naore)
正面及び会祖に対して礼 Bow to the front and Kaiso's Portrait
7. Bow to all that apply;
Yamaguchi Saiko-Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
山口最高師範に対して礼 Bow to Saiko Shihan's portrait
Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
師範に対して礼 [Name] Bow to Shihan(s)
Jokyo (5th Dan) ni taishite rei (and naore)
助教に対して礼 Bow to 5th Dan Instructors
Jokyo (4th Dan) ni taishite rei (and naore)
助教に対して礼 Bow to 4th Dan Instructors
Shidoin (3rd Dan) ni taishite rei (and naore)
指導員に対して礼 Bow to 3rd Dan Instructors
or
Jokyo oyobi Shido-in ni taishite rei (and naore)
助教及び指導員に対して礼Bow to combined 5th, 4th and 3rd Dan Instructors
Sensei ni taishite rei (and naore)
先生に対して礼 For Shodan and Nidan Sensei: Bow to Sensei
or
Senpai ni taishite rei (and naore)
先輩に対して礼 For Shodan and Nidan Sensei: Bow to Senpai
8. Otagai ni rei (and naore)
お互いに礼 Bow to each other
Bowing Procedures for International Seminar
1. 整列 Seiretsu! Line Up!
2. 気を付け Kiotsuke! Attention!
3. 正座 Seiza! Sit! (On Knees)
4. 黙想 Mokusou! (and mokuso naore) Close one’s eyes
Dojo-Shuyokun / Dojo Virtues / Creed / Oath (at Bowing Out only)
5. 全日本空手道剛柔会 修養訓 五ヶ条 (Zen Nihon Karate-do Goju-kai Shuyo-kun Goka-jo)
The Five Precepts of Japan Karate-do Goju-kai Association
我等空手道を修るものは (Warera Karate-dou wo osamuru mono wa:)
We the students of Goju Ryu, do aspire to these virtues:
一つ、剛柔の道を学ぶを以て誇りとすべし。 (Hitotsu - Goujuu no michi wo manabu wo motte hokori to subeshi.)
1. We are proud to study the way of Goju
一つ、礼儀を正しくすべし。 (Hitotsu - Reigi wo tadashiku subeshi.)
1. We are courteous in manners
一つ、質実剛健を旨とすべし。 (Hitotsu – Shitsu-jitsu gouken wo mune to subeshi.)
1. We strive to develop courage and fighting spirit
一つ、団結互助の精神を養うべし。 (Hitotsu - Danketsu gojo no seishin wo yashinau beshi.)
1. We cultivate fellowship and understanding
一つ、日本古来の伝統たる尚武の気風を尊重すべし。 (Hitotsu - Nippon korai no dentou taru shoubu no kifuu wo sonchou subeshi.)
1. We respect the ideals of loyalty and honor, traditional from olden times in Japan.
6. Shomen oyobi Kaiso ni taishite rei (and naore)
正面及び会祖に対して礼 Bow to the front and Kaiso's Portrait
7. Bow to all that apply;
Yamaguchi Saiko-Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
山口最高師範に対して礼 Bow to Saiko Shihan's portrait
_____ Hanshi-Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
範士師範に対して礼 Bow to Hanshi Shihan
Kyoshi-Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
教師師範に対して礼 Bow to all Kyoshi Shihan(s)
Renshi-Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
錬士師範に対して礼 Bow to all Renshi Shihan(s)
or
Hanshi-, Kyoshi-, Renshi-Shihan ni taishite rei (and naore)
範士, 教師, 錬士師範に対して礼 Bow to all Shihan(s)
Jokyo (5th Dan) ni taishite rei (and naore)
助教に対して礼 Bow to 5th Dan Instructors
Jokyo (4th Dan) ni taishite rei (and naore)
助教に対して礼 Bow to 4th Dan Instructors
Shidoin (3rd Dan) ni taishite rei (and naore)
指導員に対して礼 Bow to 3rd Dan Instructors
or
Jokyo oyobi Shido-in ni taishite rei (and naore)
助教及び指導員に対して礼Bow to combined 5th, 4th and 3rd Dan Instructors
Sensei ni taishite rei (and naore)
先生に対して礼 For Shodan and Nidan Sensei: Bow to Sensei
or
Senpai ni taishite rei (and naore)
先輩に対して礼 For Shodan and Nidan Sensei: Bow to Senpai
8. Otagai ni rei (and naore)
お互いに礼 Bow to each other
The Dojo
1. KAMIZA "Superior seat".
2. SHIMOZA "Inferior seat".
3. JŌSEKI "Superior place".
4. SHIMOZEKI "Inferior place".
KAMIZA is the the place where the instructor and his/her guests sit.
SHIMOZA is where students sit. The most graduated student sits at Instructor left side. The less graduated student sits at Instructor right side.
When having "auxiliar instructors" these ones sit at JŌSEKI. Or, if someone is called by the instructor to demonstrate any technique, when doing nothing, this student sits at JŌSEKI.
When there is no free place in SHIMOZA, lower students sit at SHIMOZEKI.
Did you know that different parts of the dojo are referred to by different terms that uniquely describe there function? For instance, you may hear people refer to wall at the front of the dojo by different names, the shomen, kamiza, kamidana, tokonoma. Which term is correct and why is it so confusing?
Name for the front of the dojo
Shomen (true face): Refers simply to the front of dojo (traditionally either the north side of the dojo or the side opposite the entrance). Students bow facing the shomen at the beginning and ending of each class.
Kamiza or Shinza (seat of gods): Seat of honor and is reserved for instructors and honored guests. While it refers to the sitting place at the front of the dojo the term is often used interchangeably with the word kamidana. As you'll see, this usage is not correct. The term kamiza refers to front region of the dojo, where the picture of O'Sensei resides... but also where your sensei instructs from and presides over testing from.
Joza (upper seat): Same as kamiza but used more in context of relation to other sides of the dojo; shimoza, joseki , and shimoseki.
Kamidana (god shelf): Traditional shinto alter. The whole decorative structure at the front of the dojo containing the picture of O Sensei can be referred to as the kamidana. However, the small wooden house-like shrine often seen on the shelf is also referred to as the kamidana. These small wooden houses are found in all traditional shinto households and are there to welcome the spirits of the ancestors. In aikido we generally use the term kamidana to refer to the entire ornate structure at the front of the dojo that contains the portrait of O Sensei, and by implication, the spirit of O Sensei, watching over our training and guiding us. The kamidana may also contain calligraphy, a flower display, or sword display.
Tokonoma - Generally refers to a recessed alcove containing the kamidana. While the tokonoma (alcove) is often part of the kamidana, dojos may have tokonoma apart from the kamidan. The tokonoma should contain some spiritual token.
Names for the other sides of the dojo
Shimoza (lower seat) Opposite the kamiza... where the students sit in seiza, ready to receive instruction. Students sit in shimoza in order of rank, from shimoseki to joseki.
Joseki (upper side): Side of dojo where senior students sit in seiza. Right side of the dojo when facing shomen.
Shimoseki (lower side): Side of dojo where junior students sit in seiza. Left side of dojo when facing shomen. Visitors generally sit at the joseki or shimoseki
Miscellaneous places in dojo
nafuda kake: name board where students names are hung on the wall displaying rank.
Genkan: (foyer): Place where you enter a dojo or place your shoes.
............................................................................
Dojo-Shuyokun / Dojo Virtues / Creed / Oath (at Bowing Out only)
全日本空手道剛柔会 修養訓 五ヶ条 (Zen Nihon Karate-do Goju-kai Shuyo-kun Goka-jo)
The Five Precepts of Japan Karate-do Goju-kai Association
我等空手道を修るものは (Warera Karate-dou wo osamuru mono wa:)
We the students of Goju Ryu, do aspire to these virtues:
一つ、剛柔の道を学ぶを以て誇りとすべし。 (Hitotsu - Goujuu no michi wo manabu wo motte hokori to subeshi.)
1. We are proud to study the way of Goju
一つ、礼儀を正しくすべし。 (Hitotsu - Reigi wo tadashiku subeshi.)
1. We are courteous in manners
一つ、質実剛健を旨とすべし。 (Hitotsu – Shitsu-jitsu gouken wo mune to subeshi.)
1. We strive to develop courage and fighting spirit
一つ、団結互助の精神を養うべし。 (Hitotsu - Danketsu gojo no seishin wo yashinau beshi.)
1. We cultivate fellowship and understanding
一つ、日本古来の伝統たる尚武の気風を尊重すべし。 (Hitotsu - Nippon korai no dentou taru shoubu no kifuu wo sonchou subeshi.)
1. We respect the ideals of loyalty and honor, traditional from olden times in Japan.
