Values, Etiquette and Traditions

Guide to values and etiquette

Our Values

At our club we should be using modern methods in training but upholding traditional values.

With this in mind, the etiquette and traditions that foster the good values is an important part of our style and the student experience. Many would argue the development of strong character is far more valuable to a student as a person than the physical skills they will learn. After all, they will use the character they will develop through Martial arts, every single day of their lives, but they may never actually use the physical skills they learn.

These values are summarised in our dojo kun.

It is easy to lose sight of these values in the moment as we get tempted by short term gratification.

Classic examples of this are:

Not training hard or worse missing training because you don’t feel like it.
Blaming others for your own shortcomings or failures, because it is painful to embrace our weaknesses.
Cheating in the game at the end of class in order to stay in longer.
Wanting to get the next belt because you want to receive the recognition of an award rather than actually wanting to become better.
Boasting or being arrogant about your abilities in order to make you feel better about yourself. as opposed to being humble and feeling within yourself that you are working hard to get better, which is what truly matters.

All of these things satisfy certain desires in the moment, but in the end, they are not making you a better person but rather a weaker one. We have all indulged at least a couple of these behaviours at some point, some only tempt us for a moment, but others you will need to battle against to become a better person.

The first step towards developing stronger character is developing a sense of who you would like to be as a person and how you would like to feel about yourself.

A good way to start this process is to choose role-models and then think about what traits they have that make you admire them. Don’t try to be your role model, rather simply adopt the traits that you feel make them virtuous.

The second step is recognising what behaviour is taking you closer to your ideals and what behaviours are taking you further away from them.

Taking responsibility for yourself, your character, your successes, your failures and short comings and finally, your duty to constantly improve yourself is the underlying principle behind all personal development and character development in Martial Arts.

The real benefit of Martial arts is not what you learn but who you become through learning it.

Lastly, parents should also endeavour to adopt the principles of the dojo kun even if they are not training especially when they are in the dojo. It is important that they set a good example for their children. The Bujinkan is not a sport like football where parents can shout from the side lines and be disrespectful to others as par for course.

Etiquette and Traditions

The etiquette and traditions of The Bujinkan are often surrounded by a mystique of the Japanese sense of honour and sense of politeness. At the Fujin Dojo our goal is to be more pragmatic, so rather than blindly following traditions for the sake of them or worse inept instructors hiding behind dogma of statements like “Don’t question your Sensei” which is frequently said in other clubs. At the Fujin Dojo we want our etiquette to be purposeful and help develop character.

Communication

The most important key to making this work is good, respectful communication between you and your Sensei. Too often problems occur when a student doesn’t understand a Sensei’s decisions or the reasons behind certain rules and etiquette. In these instances, ask your Sensei. Obviously, you need to be respectful and ask at an appropriate time. Good communication can prevent frustrating situations for both the instructor and the student.

It is, therefore, important that you ask your instructor about points that you don’t understand in class. But equally be careful not to rudely challenge your instructors teaching or worse flat out disagree with them, especially if you think you are being smart. This kind of confrontation does not build a stronger student/teacher relationship nor does it help anyone else in the class. Most of the time this results in the student looking rude and disrespectful in the eyes of both their peers and the instructor and in my experience the vast majority of times they are left with egg on their face once the instructor explains their reasoning. Instead ask privately “I am unsure about the point you just made. I would have thought it would be better to do this?” This gives the instructor an opportunity to explain their reasoning and if they feel it is important they may share their answer with the rest of the class too. This is also far more respectful and if there are other factors you didn’t consider you haven’t embarrassed yourself in front of the whole class.

In the modern world, it is easy for students and parents to lose track of the balance between the instructor providing a service and the instructor deserving respect. The instructor is there to help you and in certain ways serve you. What is important to understand is that part of that services is to pass on good values including respect, patience and discipline. This may mean the instructor may not give you what you want (as a paying customer), instead they will endeavour to give you what you need to become a better student. This may involve turning you down for gradings, disciplining you, and pushing you out of your comfort zone.

Small disciplines

Every lack of discipline effects every other discipline, and every new discipline effects every other discipline. Martial arts have lots of small disciplines of which there are many listed below, while most have distinctive purposes they also build a student’s discipline “muscles”. All the small disciplines like responding with “Hai”, lining up and bowing at the door all add up to make bigger disciplines like always training hard easier to take on. Mastering these bigger disciplines will lead you to success but it all starts with small disciplines.

Addressing instructors as Sensei

Sensei is simply Japanese for “teacher”, but more accurately it means “One who has gone before”.

Therefore, Sensei is more of a term of respect rather than a title that bestows authority or power. Respect and being grateful to your instructor is key to being a good student.

Your instructors are not infallible but remember they are there to help you and deserve your respect and gratitude.

Bowing

Bowing is again a show of respect. It is definitely not religious; it is more like shaking hands on a promise to be respectful, helpful and courteous.

Like shaking hands, you should take your time to do it right in order for it to actually mean something. A rushed handshake without eye contact actually leaves the recipient with a worse impression of you than when you started. Likewise slapping hands on your thighs when bowing or rushing a bow is exactly the same.

Formal bows

Opening Ceremony:

All students sit in Seiza (kneeling posture) with their hands placed together in a prayer position. The Sensei (Instructor) also sits in the same position in front of the students. All face the Kamiza (Small Shrine) as a focus and symbol of the Warrior ancestors that the Nine Ryu (Traditions) of Bujinkan come from.

The instructor shouts: Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo! (Translation: Words and Sounds of Wisdom Begat a Great Aura)

The Students repeat the phrase: Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo!

All students and the Sensei (in unison) clap twice, bow (place hands on floor and lower head to the ground) followed by one clap and one final bow.

The Sensei turns to face the class and all students bow and say: Onegaishimasu (Please teach me).

Closing Ceremony:

The instructor shouts: Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo!

The Students repeat the phrase: Shikin Haramitsu Daikomyo!

All students and the Sensei (in unison) clap twice, bow (place hands on floor and lower head to the ground) followed by one clap and one final bow.

The Sensei turns to face the class and all students bow and say: Domo Arigato Gozaimashita (Thank you for teaching me).

When do we do a standing bow?

Whenever we leave or enter the dojo. This is a show of respect for the place that we train in. Like a handshake, it is a promise that we will follow the rules of the dojo and the club.
Whenever we start or finish working with a partner, whether in drills or sparring.
In points sparring after someone has scored techniques on you that either overwhelmed you or potentially would have incapacitated you if they had been real.
Before and after performing a kata.
Whenever we move out of turn. I.e. if the instructor tells you to move to a different spot bow before you move.
Before and after receiving an award or grading from an instructor.

Responding with Hai/Yes

Hai is the Japanese word for “yes”. Whenever your instructor gives a command we ask students to respond with “hai”. This serves two major purposes: Firstly, responding lets the instructor know that you understand the instructions, and secondly it builds confidence and comradely by everyone speaking up in unison.

Lining up

Formal lines are a discipline which helps the instructor organise and conduct classes. The tradition of standing in grade order harks back to feudal Japan when beginners lower ranked soldiers would stand close to the door so that if the dojo was surprise attacked they would fight first giving the more experienced soldiers time to prepare. Obviously, this is not relevant in modern times but standing in grade order still serves a purposes: it makes it easy for the instructor to split the class for exercises without having to move everyone and it shows respect for those who have advanced to higher grades.

Higher grades

Traditionally higher grades are afforded more respect and some minor privileges. While this is often misconstrued as a reward for their achievement that is lorded over lower grades, the exact opposite is true. The additional honours bestowed upon higher grades are for continued good example they should be setting for lower grades to follow and as a reward for helping out in class more. Having an inflated ego because of your grade is not the example to set. Higher grades should endeavour to be humble.

Not asking higher grades to spar

Asking instructors or students who are several grades above your own can be seen as arrogant or even as a challenge to their position. As a result, it is poor etiquette to ask instructors or higher graded students several grades higher to spar. If you feel that sparring with higher grades or even the instructor would be of benefit to your training and development then you need to ask them in a subtle and respectful way, I.E. “I want to work on my sparring I would really appreciate if you could help me.” The higher grade can then choose the best way they can help you which may be to spar you (although it may not be).

Learn from everyone

Being open minded and always on the lookout for new information, “Martial technology” or a deeper understanding is one of the best traits a martial artist can adopt. This means being open minded to concepts and techniques learnt from other styles, different instructors and lower grades. Don’t dismiss ideas help or advice just because it was dispensed by a lower grade. We are all here to help each other, however, be very care you are not being condescending if you are offering advice, especially if you are a lower grade and don’t get upset when people don’t immediately adopt your advice.

In spite of being based on tradition martial arts, the Bujinkan is a truly modern martial art and has adopted techniques and training ideas from modern day weapons and technics. Holding to our core to be open minded while being discerning, especially about what you hear from sources outside the club.

Incorrect attitude about grading.

Poor behaviour like pushing for a grading usually manifests because a student is more concerned with receiving the recognition of grading than actually getting good at Martial arts. We are all at times motivated by the prospect of recognition but do not let this desire eclipse the desire to improve yourself and to be a better martial artist. The belt you wear is merely a measuring stick. Who you are, what you can do and who you are becoming is far more important.

While climbing the grade ladder, is great motivation and becoming proficient at the syllabus is an important feature of training, it can simultaneously the cause of some of the worst behaviour.

Looking sideways

There is far more to grading than just being able to do the syllabus requirements. The syllabus is not a measure of your character, personal improvement, training ethic, or even the true depth of your understanding. It is common for students to look sideways at others and judge for themselves that they are better than someone else and deserve to grade because they can beat them in sparring or they have been training longer. Of course, these are not the only measures of a martial artist’s worthiness for their next belt. More importantly, this kind of mind-set distracts you from focusing on yourself and your own training.

Lastly, if you are taking a walk through a forest and someone overtakes you does it spoil your walk? Be concerned about yourself and your own progress, enjoy training and improving.

Asking for grading

You should never ask questions like “when am I going to grade?” instead ask “What do I need to work on in order to grade?” The second question assumes your responsibility for your progress which is an important trait to develop. Pressuring instructors to grade you or your child is rude and awkward. It displays a poor recognition hunting mind-set.

Asking multiple instructors to grade

Again you can ask what you need to work on, but asking multiple instructors “when will I be grading” is not only the wrong tact but it can be seen as trying to catch different instructors out or trying to find the most lenient instructor. Besides instructors always consult with each other regard the grading of shared students.

Training to pass a grading rather than training to become a grade

Our syllabus, is broad and as comprehensive but there is so much more to becoming a good martial artist than just learning how to grade to the next level. Countless times we have seen students focus almost exclusively on what they will be tested on in their next grading, this leads to only a superficial understanding of the art. It’s like cramming for an exam – the student retains little of what they learn once the test is over.

Casualness in the dojo

The dojo is a place of learning, as a discipline to prevent sloppy or lazy behaviour students should not sit on chairs or lean on walls whether they are sitting or standing. Additionally, as a courtesy to other students and the instructor, students should line up quickly. Do not make people wait for you. If people are waiting for you, you should always run. Not to do so is to presume that your time is more important than your instructors and your peers. This is as practiced in traditional training in Japan.

Cheating the intent of rules

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the etiquette and traditions that we can apply to our study. Equally, we have seen students act like slick lawyers trying to manipulate the rules, etiquette and traditions to justify their actions or get their way. We must follow the intent and values behind the traditions and rules.

These principles are what should guide our journey.