Dojo-Kun Etiquette

Dojo Kun - Rules

The Red Dragon Dojo Kun or Dojo Oath was advised by our Grand Master Renshi: Late. C Bhuvanendran, inspired by the
famous Japanese writer Eiji Yoshikawa, author of “Musashi”, a best-selling book about the life of legendary Japanese swordsman
Miyamoto Musashi.

The dojo kun comprises a list of rules to follow in the dojo, but moreover throughout your entire life. The Dojo Kun is recited at the
end of a training session. The most senior student recites the dojo kun out loud with each student repeating the words after him/her
while sitting in seiza.

Studying the dojo kun is an excellent way to try to understand the philosophy of Red Dragon Karate.

1. We will train our mind and bodies for a firm unshaken spirit.
2. We will pursue the real/true meaning of the martial way, so that, in time, our senses be alert.
3. With true vigor, we will produce a spirit of self-denial.
4. We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.
5. We will follow our religious principles and never forget the true virtue of humility and faith.
6. We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires.
7. All our lives, through the discipline of karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the Real Martial Art way.

Dojo Etiquette - Practices

In Red Dragon KAI every question is answered with “Osu!”. Every greeting is “Osu!” Every instruction or question in class, is answered by “Osu!” instead of “yes” or “I understand”. When performing kihon waza (basic techniques) in class, each technique is often accompanied with a loud “Osu!”. When practicing jiyu kumite (free fighting) in class and your opponent lands a good, hard
technique, you say “Osu!” to acknowledge your opponent’s skill. As a measure of respect, knockdown fighters at a tournament bow and say “Osu!” to the front, to the referee and to each other, before and after the fight.
Osu is a combination of the words: Oshi which means “Push”, and Shinobu which means “to Endure”. It means patience, determination, appreciation, respect and perseverance. The Word Osu is Pronounced and written in different ways. Mostly write “Osu” or “Oss”. They are just different Spelling and both of them are correct. The correct pronunciation is closer to “Oh-ss”.

In order to develop a strong body and strong spirit it is necessary to undergo rigorous training.

Red Dragon style karate is not learned overnight. It takes years to properly learn the fundamentals. The basic techniques are performed thousands of times (ren ma – “always polishing”) until they are done by reflex or instinct, without conscious thought (mushin – “no mind”). It’s easy to get frustrated by doing the same thing over and over again, especially when progress seems to be slow.
To overcome that frustration and continue training takes patience and determination. That is Osu.

The reason you subject yourself to hard training is because you care about yourself, and to care about yourself is to respect yourself. This self-respect evolves and expands to become respect for your instructor and fellow students. When you enter the dojo you bow and say “Osu” . This means you respect your dojo and the time you spend training there. This feeling of respect is Osu!

During training you push yourself as hard as possible because you respect yourself. When you finish you bow to your instructor and fellow students and say “Osu” once more. You do this out of appreciation. This feeling of appreciation is Osu.

Thus OSU is a very important word in Red Dragon Karate because it signifies patience, respect and appreciation. That is why we always use the word Osu; to remind ourselves of these indispensable qualities

“Keep your head low (respect), eyes high (concentrated vision), mouth shut (confidence).

FORMAL START & END PROCEDURE

The start of class is indicated by Sensei simply by the command “line-up”. All students are required to line up in order from the highest rank down to the lowest. Shoulder to shoulder with the highest rank on your left. Sensei will then stand in the middle of the Dojo facing his students, turn and kneel down facing the front of the dojo (Shomen).

The highest ranking student will then say:-

“Seiretsu” Line up call for students.

“Seiza”. Students are required to kneel down with their knees in line, backs straight and hands on their thighs or Hip.

“Mokuso”. Students will close eyes and this is a time of reflection.

“Mokuso Yame“. Students will open eyes.

“Dojo Rei” Student will bow to the dojo (Practicing place) by touching their forehead to the ground.

“Tatte” Sensei will say this, then the students will stand up.

“Shomen Ni-Rei”. Students will bow to the front assuming/ imagining our God/Grand Masters etc. If photo is placed on the wall then students will bow to the photo and say “Osu”.

Then Sensei will then turn to face his students.

“Sensei Ni-Rei”. Students will bow to Sensei and say “Osu”.

“Sempai Ni-Rei”. The second highest student will then say this and all will bow and sat “Osu”

BASIC PRACTICE /CONDUCT

When entering or leaving the Dojo, stand in the doorway, face the front, bow and say “OSU or OSS” (Oh-ss). This represents a mark or respect for the Dojo and the people in it.
If late for training, kneel at the side of the class towards the back, facing away in SEIZA (formal kneeling position). When the instructor acknowledges you, stand up, turn to the front , bow and say “OSU” then “Shitsurei Shimasu” (excuse me for disturbing), then quickly join the back of the class.
Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in the Dojo.
Always move quickly in class when instructed to do something. DO NOT STROLL.
Do not practice KUMITE unless instructed to do so.
Do not break rank for any reason, without asking permission from the instructor. If you must leave your position, do not walk between the instructor and the class. Walk behind the row you are in to either side and proceed from there.
Always address the instructor and seniors by their proper title (SEMPAI, SENSEI, SHIHAN) inside the Dojo. Acknowledge them with a loud “OSU” when they speak to you.
Your training should be a serious matter. Do not laugh, giggle, talk or cause disruption during the class. You should always stand in FUDO DACHI when awaiting the next command.
All directions, by instructor, should be obeyed in the Dojo, without question. You will not be asked to do anything that your instructor has not done him/herself already. If you cannot keep up, do the best you can.
Keep fingernails and toenails short and clean.
During the break: No sitting on chairs, leaning against the wall or lying down. Do some training rather than waste time.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the Dojo is clean, tidy and safe at all times.
Your karate-gi must be neat and washed clean at all times. Your belt should NEVER be washed, only aired dry. It symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training, and under no circumstances are male karatekas allowed to wear t-shirts or other clothing underneath their karate-gi.
Don’t wear jewellery or watches during training