Kendo Dōjo basic etiquette & commands for beginner & kyu grades
Thanks to Janet for organising this article.
When entering & leaving the Dōjo（道場, training hall）, we need to bow respectfully from the waist, first towards the direction of Joseki（上席）, in our case this is the Waikato Kendo Club WKC banner.
(But in Japanese dōjo there is often a Kamiza（上座） with a small Shinto shrine or altar displayed with religious significance).
And then bow towards Sensei & Senpai on your way in before neatly organising your belongings on the side & getting ready quietly.
At beginning of each Keiko（稽古）, Sensei（先生）or Senpai（先輩） will say:
Line up - Seiretsu（整列）:
- We will need to quickly find our position along a horizontal line facing Sensei (in the middle) in order of our experience/ rank with Senpai (Seniors) on the right and Kōhai (Juniors, 後輩) & Shoshinsha (Beginners, 初心者) on the left.
- Standing straight facing the front, holding Shinai firmly with left hand. For those wearing Bōgu (armour, 防具), we also need to hold our Men & Kote beneath our right arm.
Seiza - 正座:
- This is the formal traditional way of sitting in Japan.
- Take half a step back with left foot then kneel with left knee while gently placing your Shinai down on the floor, Kensen first then the Tsuba in line with the knee without making a noise and ensure it doesn’t roll sideways (always treat the Shinai as if it’s a real sword/ Shinken (真剣) so we don’t want to damage the blade of the sword).
- Then put our right knee down in line with the left, with both foot beneath the buttock & sit gently on the feet.
- For those with Bōgu, we need to place the Kote & Men on our right side, make sure to align it with the Senpais on the right.
Shisei wo tadashite - 姿勢を正して:
- Make sure your posture is correct & back is straight.
Mokuso - 黙想:
- Begin meditation.
- Place your hands relaxed over the front of your lap with the right palm facing upwards then the left palm over the top of the right with both thumbs gently touch over the top.
- Take three deep breaths through nose & breathe out with our mouths slowly, trying to clear our minds.
- When Sensei claps 👏 once,
Mokuso yame - 黙想やめ:
- Meditation finished, return to normal seiza & hand resting position on thigh.
Shōmen ni - 正面に:
- Turn body to face towards the front, Joseki (WKC banner).
- Showing appreciation, respect & humility for those before us who contributed to the development of kendo, the dojo where we can train in.
Rei - 礼:
- Bow🙇♂️
Sensei ni - 先生に (OR Senpai gata ni - 先輩方に):
- Facing towards Sensei (OR Senpai leading the keiko, when sensei is away).
- Showing appreciation & respect to Sensei or senpai for teaching us.
Rei - 礼:
- Bow🙇♂️
Otagai ni - お互いに (OR Sōgo ni - 相互に):
- Towards each other
Rei - 礼:
- Bow🙇♂️ And say together:
- Onegaishimasu - お願いします at Beginning of Keiko. Which means please take care of me & show appreciation for training together.
- OR Arigatou gozaimashita - ありがとうございました” at End of Keiko. Which means thank you very much for training with me.
Men (wo) tsuke - 面を着け:
- For those with Bōgu.
- Respectfully Bow 🙇♂️ to our Bōgu for protecting us during training.
- Then put on our Men & Kote as swiftly as possible then stand up & line up to make sure we don’t make others wait for us & can start training as soon as possible.
Men (wo) Tore - 面を取れ:
- Remove the Men, Tenugui & Kote swiftly & quickly place them neatly on the floor aligned with others on the right while in Seiza before waiting for Senpai to call for the above bows to end the Keiko.
- The only difference is the order of the bow at end of Keiko is bowing to Sensei first before bowing to Shomen.
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