Visiting other dojo

Following on from my last post, it’s worth looking at what we should and should not do when visiting other dojo. The best option is to go with a regular member who can explain the system and tell you who’s who. If you do visit alone, then here are a few tips on how not to make the wrong impression. The key however is to watch what others do and to follow their example.

Start by getting there on time or slightly early. Bow correctly when you enter and if you can introduce yourself to the shihan or dojo leader and ask if you may practice. The instructor will usually ask your grade and help direct you to the right place in the line. If you are left to your own devices sit in the lowest position.  Being asked to move up is flattering; being asked to move down is less impressive. Pay particular attention to the “gorei” commands at the beginning and end of the session. If everyone bows to showmen make sure you are facing the right direction.

If the dojo practices motodachi- geiko, then queue for the most senior person and work your way down the line. It goes without saying that in any kendo practice you should give it your all. This is particularly true if you are training in a new environment. In jigeiko, unless you know for sure that you are the senior grade, always defer to your opponent over who takes the kamiza position. Most people will put up a show of resistance and go through a “no please, after you” discussion. Politely refuse and make sure that you stay on the lower side. I have been in situations where I have had to physically push my opponent across the dojo. During keiko if you are given advice, acknowledge the it with a quick yes or “thank you”. Do not ask questions or get into a discussion.

After practise, quickly cross the dojo to thank all the instructors that you have trained with, starting with the most senior and working your way down the line. Then repeat the process with opponents on the shimoza side. If advice is offered, accept it gratefully, but again, do not ask for a critique or make excuses. If you can, take some tenugui from your dojo and present them, ideally with a business card, to the senior dojo members.

Pay attention to the after practice showering or bathing routine, in some dojo it is the custom for sensei to go first, always defer to seniors. Finally if you are invited to go for a drink after practice, say yes; you have probably made some great new kendo friends.

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Reiho for Dummies

We have had an influx of hanshi; with Sueno sensei visiting us two weeks ago and Sumi sensei here on a stopover last week.  Everyone was keen to treat them with the respect that they are due and to demonstrate the level of reigi that high ranking teachers would expect in Japan.  I received a number of questions on the subject and a request to put some thoughts into a blog piece explaining the correct approach to etiquette in this and other situations.

Just to clarify the terminology, reigi is the concept of etiquette and reiho is its physical manifestation.  Some aspects of reiho are technical and unique to kendo or Japan. The angles to which you bow to your teachers and kamiza and to your opponent are prescribed and have to be learned. There are rules to govern the location of joseki or kamiza in a dojo and the correct places for students and teachers to sit. The gorei commands at the beginning and end of each practice are with one or two variations a set standard that we invariably follow. However if you think about it logically, the demonstration of etiquette in kendo is based on common sense and common courtesy that would be second nature in most cultures.

It is however probably fair to say that some people are better at it than others.  Those with ethnic roots in Eastern Europe or the Middle East tend to grasp the concept of respect for teachers and elders more easily than do their peers from Western Europe, but everyone would probably agree with the logic of many of kendo’s standard rules.

In the dojo we do not chat amongst ourselves, so that we can hear the instructor. We ask permission before taking off our men and leaving the dojo, so that someone is aware in case of medical emergencies. We do not step over people’s shinai, as a shinai represents the sword and the sword is “The soul of the samurai”. We do not lean against the wall or slump, as the dojo is a place of physical and spiritual training and we need to maintain a spirit of readiness and awareness.

Translating this common sense approach to the way we treat senior visitors, we should aim to give our best in keiko. When we cross the dojo to thank sensei, we should do so immediately after rei.  Remember start with the most senior teacher and work your way down the line. Don’t ask questions. If sensei has some advice for you, he will give it automatically.

It is accepted practice to take care of senior visitor’s bogu and deliver it packed with his folded hakama and keikogi to the exit. Decide beforehand who is going to do this.

If sensei would prefer to take care of his own equipment, then allow him to do so. Of course this may be politeness on his part, so insist once or twice before you give in. In this case don’t be surprised if other junior teachers also refuse your kind offer of help. Whilst I am usually grateful for this sort of attention, I would not dream of taking advantage of it if my senior teacher has said no. To do so would be discourteous.

So although many aspects of kendo etiquette can be learned from text books or by asking your instructor, it is difficult to go wrong if you follow the basic rules of human courtesy.

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Reigi

Most kendoka have heard the phrase “Kendo starts and finishes with rei”. We all go through the physical process of rei and sonkyo before and after keiko, but it is easy to forget why we should show respect to our kendo colleagues and to the traditions of Kendo.

Even before entering the dojo we should get into the mood for practice, by putting our keikogi and hakama on correctly, (left leg first), also to think about the meaning of the seven pleats, five front, two back. There are several interpretations, but the most common is:-

• Jin: benevolence
• Gi: honor or justice
• Rei: courtesy and etiquette
• Chi: wisdom, intellligence
• Shin: sincerity
• Chu: loyalty
• Koh: piety

Tare and dou should be put on whilst sitting seiza and men and kote lined up with the rest of the class; only going on when given the command, and of course left kote goes on first. Dogi and bogu should be folded and/or tied correctly before putting away or taking home. Even if you intend to wash your hakama that day, you should fold it neatly and not roll it up in a ball.

In keiko, if your opponent makes a successful attack, acknowledge the point with good grace; however if he or she is much more senior and choses to hit you many times in succession, hold back or you risk looking like a nodding dog. Under these circumstance the best thing may be to ask to do kakarigeiko.

We should also show respect to the dojo itself, by bowing to shomen when we enter, by making sure the floor is clean, by not leaning against walls or sitting incorrectly. This is easily done in a purpose built dojo, but more difficult in a sports centre creche or a scout hut, where you are inadvertanly bowing to an image of Minnie Mouse or Baden Powell.

Reigi, however accurate, is useless unless it is sincere. When you bow to an opponent or sensei or kamiza, do it because you mean it. Your attitude in the dojo should be one of quite, confident dignity. No highs or lows, no punching air or grumbling to yourself, but accepting your successes and challenges with an even mind. Reigi is not a one way street. We should show equal respect to seniors and juniors because we learn from our practice with both.

Kendo is as much about cultivating the spirit as the body, so most importantly, reigi should not stop after you leave the dojo, Treating others with respect should be part of your daily life.

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