Ogletown Isshinryu Karate Club
Home How do I join? Dojo Rules and Etiquette Other Documents Isshinryu Codes Symbols and Patches News and Upcoming Events About Sensei Links of Interest- Dojo Links of Interest- Outside World	The following text is composed of two very important documents used in our dojo. These are handed out to students when they are white belts, and also information about uniform requirements and the codes of Isshinryu. The "Dojo Rules" come from Mr. Dale Jenkins. The Ogletown Isshinryu Karate Club is in the third generation of dojo since Mr. Jenkins' passing that still uses these rules. (More information about Mr. Jenkins can be found here.) Gi must be clean and neat (i.e., ironed). No jewelry worn while working out. No candy or gum while working out. Gi must be worn only in the dojo, except for valid reasons. Obi may only be worn in class. Never show anyone what you learned in the dojo. Never attempt to teach anyone, unless instructed to do so. Always be respectful in and out of the dojo. Don’t brag that you’re studying karate, let people find out on their own; they will respect you more. Respect other person’s rank, especially if higher than your own. Always bow when entering or leaving the workout area. Fingernails and toenails should be kept short. Pay strict attention to what you are taught. In kumite, be mannerly but fight hard. Never ask a higher rank to kumite, if he wants to, he’ll ask you. No conversation on the workout area, especially during class. Act properly at all times, in and around the dojo. No goofing off. Always keep busy practicing while in workout area, unless instructed otherwise. During formal class get permission of high rank (black belt) before leaving the floor. Never take advantage of a lower rank. Maintain passing grades in school to your parents’ satisfaction. This is your school, please help keep the dojo clean. If any individual has a problem of some sort in regards to the martial arts, speak with Sensei. Black belts are always referred to as Mr., Ms., or Mrs., never by their first names. The next section on etiquette is based on a handout from Mr. Doug King's dojo. Mr. King is Miss Kadar's Sensei. Minor modifications have been made to clean up some of the grammar and to make this a little bit easier to read. Etiquette is crucial to good karate, not only because it is an intrinsic part of the culture that produced karate, but because good etiquette is essential for correct discipline. The ethical basis for karate is reflected through etiquette. The strict observance of etiquette helps to remind us that the dojo is a place of safety and cooperation, where we have respect for our instructors and for each other. Members of Ogletown Isshinryu Karate Club are always encouraged to practice the best possible etiquette, here in our dojo and when training elsewhere. While the etiquette you learn here is not necessarily the only way, it is the way we do it here. If you remember the purpose behind good etiquette and always remain on your best behavior when visiting other dojos, you will never embarrass yourself or your dojo. Some points of etiquette as practiced here are summarized below. By observing senior students when they visit, you will pick up other etiquette customs as well. 1. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before class is scheduled to prepare yourself for class. 2. Before entering and leaving the dojo floor, always face the front of the dojo (where the picture of Master Shimabuku is located) and make a short, standing bow. This is not a gesture of worship; it is a gesture of respect for the dojo and its founders. 3. If despite your best efforts you have arrived after the instructor has already bowed onto the floor, whether or not class has formally begun, you should wait off the dojo floor at the edge until the instructor has noticed you and given permission to join the class. 4. Students of any rank may practice with each other. It is appropriate, polite, and an excellent idea for beginning students to seek out advanced students and ask them to practice with the exception of kumite. If a higher rank wants to spar with you, the higher rank will ask you. A visitor or black belt should never have to wait and then hunt around for a partner; it is good manners and an honor for others to approach them immediately and ask them to practice. 5. Practice without conversation. If you are seriously confused you may ask for help, but discussions or lengthy commentaries are inappropriate during class. A junior kyu should never try to correct someone of higher rank; it is a very bad breach of etiquette. 6. If the instructor offers personal instruction to you or your partner, stop practicing and pay strict attention to the instructor. When the instructor has completed offering personal instruction to you or your partner, thank the instructor by bowing and saying ‘thank you’ or ‘thank you, Sensei’ as appropriate. 7. After practicing together, both partners bow to each other and thank each other. 8. During the course of a workout, it is possible that accidents will occur. The accident may be bumping into someone, being thrown into someone, etc. If this happens, it is good manners to make an effort to determine if the other person is all right, bow and excuse yourself. 9. Students should never wander on and off the dojo floor during class. If you need to leave the floor during class, ask the instructor first for permission. This is not only good etiquette but a safety issue especially with young students. If you need to leave class early, tell the instructor before class begins. The instructor will not keep a student unnecessarily if the student needs to leave. 10. Do not lie on the floor unless actively practicing. Do not lean against walls, furniture, doorways, etc. Leaning is a sign of laziness. When sitting, sit properly with both legs crossed, or sit in seiza. Do not lean on your hands or extend your legs. 11. Do not wear hairpins; keep long hair bound in a ponytail or other confined manner during practice. 12. After class, if there is another class following, keep conversations to a minimum. When any class is lined up to bow in, there should be silence throughout the dojo. 13. If you are not able to attend your scheduled class, it is proper and respectful to inform your instructor by phone, email or in person. During the course of the year there are several major events other than the scheduled classes and if you are serious about your training you should attend all. If you are not able to attend for any reason, inform your instructor as a common courtesy. The etiquette that governs your behavior in and out of the dojo should always be a reflection of your consideration for others.
	Home Contact information: phone 302.565.4133 cell 215.307.6166 email (students) karate@duzan.org email (other) ogletownisshinryu@hotmail.com mailing address- P.O. Box 5792, Newark, DE  19714	Site created by Anne Kadar Duzan and maintained by Gary Duzan November 2006