Karate in Enfield

Karate-Dojo Etiquette

• All students must BOW before entering the Dojo.

• The class will then be called to attention: “Saei Rei Tu”  -  with the senior student/sempai at the far left of the first line, the students, in descending grade order, line up to his/her right, ensuring that the line or lines are straight by each student looking to their left.

• The sempai will then call out "Seiza" which signifies that the class should move to the kneeling position.

• The class is then instructed to "Shomen ni rei" meaning to bow, in silence, and show respect to those who taught and came before. The senior student then turns to face the class and still kneeling, will call out "Sensei ni rei"(which asks the class to bow), with everyone saying the word “Oss” showing respect to the senior instructor. The students are then asked to stand "Ki re tu" with the highest grade belts coming to their feet first followed by the next and then the next until the whole class is once more on their feet.

• The students are then ready to begin the lesson.

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• The class ends as follows - Once again the students having lined up in their correct positions the sempai (senior) will then call out "Seiza" once again and will call out "Mokuso" which is a period of around 20 to 30 seconds given for controlled breathing meditation. The class will then be instructed to "Mokuso yame" signifying the end of the meditation period. The Dojo Kun is then recited by the students repeating each sentence after the sempai. The class is then instructed to "Shomen ni rei" once again, followed by "Sensei ni rei". The students are then asked to stand "Ki re tu" once more.  On standing the sempai will call out "Otagaei ni rei" and the whole class will make a standing bow before leaving the dojo in an orderly fashion.

•  All students must BOW once again on leaving the dojo.