Dojo Rules

The following information is relevant to all club members:

The dojo (Training Hall) is the place where training takes place. Strict rules apply to all members of the club in order to maintain high standards required in the training of karate. All members entering the Dojo must adhere to the following:

1) Bow on entrance and exit of the Dojo.

2) When one of the sensei's (Teachers) talks to you, you must reply "Oss!"

This also applies whenever a senior grade or Sempai (Assistant Instructor) talks to you, DO NOT refer to them with their name. This can only happen when outside of training and the Dojo, no matter how friendly you are.

3) No eating in the Dojo especially chewing gum.

4) No smoking in the Dojo.

5) No swearing in the Dojo.

6) You are always welcome to ask questions during a lesson. However, you must wait for an appropriate moment, always raise your hand and say "Oss Sensei" before your question. NEVER interrupt a Sensei. Alternatively, wait until the end of the lesson.

7) During the lesson, whilst in stances or any other technique, stay in position. DO NOT bite your nails, play with your uniform or slouch. Nothing looks worse than a line of untidy karateka, especially to new members or visitors to the club.

8) Keep your Gi (Suit) washed and clean, not necessarily ironed. Nothing is worse than training next to a smelly individual.

9) No jewellery is to be worn. Flat plain studs are allowed and any wedding ring that can't be removed must be covered with a plaster.

10) Finger nails and toe nails must be clean and cut short. Hair must be clean and tied back if it is long.

11) No talking during lessons, even if you are partnered up with another person. You must not talk unless you are invited to do so by a Sensei or assistant instructor.

12) No running about or pretend fighting before the lesson starts. Only light contact fighting is allowed in karate and this is only with supervision during a class.

13) DO NOT use karate at work or school for messing about or showing off. Karate should only be practised on your own at home, during a class or used to defend yourself, family, or friends from a serious attacker.

14) Any member that does not pay the required training fee on time will be given a warning and then if forgotten again will not be allowed to train until paid.

15) Constant lateness into the class is very bad manners and this also disturbs the class in progress. All students must turn up early to get changed, warm-up, and prepare for the lesson, with a minimum of 5 minutes until the lesson starts.

16) DO NOT wear your karate suit or show your belt in public. Cover up with a tracksuit or coat. Alternatively, copy the higher grades by getting changed before and after the lesson in the facilities provided.

17) The taking of drugs is prohibited. Any students found to be taking or intending to take these substances will be removed from the association. This is in co-operation with the doping rules made by WADA and WKF.

Dojo Kun

The dojo kun is the training rules which were passed down from master to student throughout the years. It is rumoured to be Sakugawa, an 18th century karate enthusiast that created them but it is more likely to have been Gichin Funakoshi. There are no written records or evidence, so no one really knows for sure.

The Dojo Kun

Hitotsu jinkaku ni tsutomuru koto

Hitotsu makoto no mchi wo mamoru koto

Hitotsu doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto

Hitotsu reigi wo omonzuru koto

Hitotsu kekki no yu wo imashi muru koto

First seek perfection of character

First protect the way of truth

First foster the spirit of effort

First respect the principles of etiquette and respect others

First guard against impetuous courage and refrain from violent behaviour

The Shotokan Nijukun (20 rules)

1) Karate is not only dojo training

2) Dont forget karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow

3) In karate, never attack first

4) One who practices karate must follow the way of justice

5) First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.

6) Spiritual development is paramount, technical skills are merely means to the end

7) You must realease your mind

8) Misfortune comes out of laziness

9) Karate is a life long training

10) Put karate into everything you do

11) Karate is like hot water. If you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold

12) Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose

13) Victory depends on your ability to tell vunerable points from invunerable ones

14) Move according to your opponent

15) Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords

16) When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you

17) Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students

18) Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another

19) Do not forget 1. Strength and weakness of power 2. Expansion and contraction of the body 3. Slowness and speed of techniques.

20) Devise at all time

Quotes From Master Funakoshi

"Karate begins and ends with courtesy"

"There is no first attack in karate"

"To win 1 hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill"