Dojo Etiquette

The information below serves to outline the typical Jiu Jitsu dojo, and the rules and practices of its use. So to begin we need to actually define what a Jiu Jitsu dojo actually is...

What is a Dojo

The Dojo is the name of the place in which jiu jitsu (or any Japanese martial art for that matter) is taught and studied. This may be a custom built training hall, a school gymnasium or any other building or room which serves this purpose.

In the case of Jiu Jitsu, the dojo typically has a single entrance and a large matted area. The mats are of course essential to practice any throwing techniques. Some dojos may also have hard floor surfaces on which to perform non-throwing techniques.

Entering and Leaving

Every time a jitsuka enters or leaves the dojo he should perform a standing bow facing into the dojo. This is purely a bow of respect. Anyone who enters/leaves the dojo who does not do this will probably be spoken to by one of the dojo's senior grades about the importance of the bow in terms of the style's heritage, etc. Of course if a student is a novice who 'knows no better', or the jitsuka is leaving to seek medical attention then the jitsuka will not receive any harsh words.

The bow is intended as a greeting/farewell to the spirit of the dojo or club, and it should act as the jitsuka's first step in mentally preparing for the training ahead. The jitsuka should try and leave behind his 'rel-life' when he enters the dojo. Jiu Jitsu is a martial art and carries an inherent danger in its practition. Therefore to reduce the risk of accident, the jitsuka should try to focus on training once the enter the dojo, putting aside the distractions of life outside the dojo.

Tatami

The mats in traditional Japanese buildings are known as Tatami. This is thus the name for the mats upon which throwing techniques are practised in Jiu Jitsu. Whenever a jitsuka wishes to enter or leave the matted area, they must wait by the side of the mat until they are given permission by the most senior grade on the mat to enter or leave. When awaiting permission, the jitsuka should wait in a su dachi style position, with feet together and hands by the sides or with hands cupped in front of him. For a busy mat it may occasionally be necessary to attract the senior grade's attention by simply raising an arm - as though asking a question.

The senior grade will give his permission by performing a standing bow to the jitsuka wishing to enter or leave the mat. At the same time, the jitsuka should perform a standing bow back to the senior grade.

In some instances the most senior grade on the mat may be a novice and the club instructor must then wait for permission from the novice to enter the mat. Of course it is polite to let your instructor on in good time or else you may find a session particularly active due to your inaction.

The bowing on and off the mat serves a practical purpose in this case. Whoever is the most senior grade on the mat is effectively in-charge of the mat, and thus the safety of everyone on the mat is their responsibility. Therefore it is in the best interests of the senior grade to know who is on and who is off the mat. The senior grade should be particularly aware of why students are leaving the mat.

For example should a student have received a knock on the head and simply head off to the changing rooms to take a look at the newly forming lump, they could fall unconscious. Therefore the senior grade should firstly be infromed of why the jitsuka is leaving the mat - and in this instance send another jitsuka with them to keep an eye on them. Both jitsuka would then be given permission to leave the mat.

This piece of etiquette can extend a little further based on these grounds (and hopefully common sense). Many dojo are almost fully matted, but not all. It may be that some off the mat training is going on during a session. If someone needs to leave the dojo, they should seek the permission of the senior grade to leave the dojo. Again emergencies (medical, fire alarm, etc.) may affect the exact procedure, but common sense, safety and courtesy (CSSC) should be the three things in mind whenever such a situation occurs.

How to Treat the Dojo

The dojo should be treated with respect, and the state of the dojo is the responsibility of the students and the instructor. It is the instructor's duty to ensure that the dojo is in a suitable state to train in - although senior grades should of course attend to issues where they can. Examples of an instructor's responsibilities are:

The dojo is at a reasonable temperature to train in. If the dojo is too cold, then unnecessary strains or injuries may occur. If the dojo is too hot and stuffy, then students can dehydrate too quickly or even pass out from heat exhaustion.
The mats are clean and safe to train on. If mats are inappropriately laid out, they can move apart too easily - creating gaps that toes and fingers can slip down leading to accidents.
The dojo should be free of rubbish and hazards. For example low hanging lights are not suitable for any session where throwing or techniques involving swords or staves.
A fully stocked first aid kit (and a qualified first-aider - of which the instructor should be one) should be readily available in case of accident. It is actually quite a common occurrence for some clubs to run out of tape and plasters because students with piercings tend to raid first aid kits to cover their piercings. Students should therefore be encouraged to bring their own coverings for such things.
The fire exits should be clearly marked and accessible. Equipment required by jitsuka should never be in the path of an escape route.

In many cases, instructors may laugh at some of the things outlined above and put it down to 'traditional' ways of training, and 'pushing the limits', but it is the instructor's responsibility every step of the way to keep the student's in as safe an environment as possible. If compassion is not enough to prompt an instructor to take note of this, then perhaps the potential threat of a lawsuit is....

The student's reposnsibilities are also numerous, and apply equally to an instructor:

Never eat or drink in the dojo. There are some notable exceptions to this:

Diabetic or other medical use.
Rehydration. Sometimes water breaks are necessary, but in cases where it may be too frequent or far to go, the instructor may allow drinking water in the dojo, but as far as possible, the water should be kept away from the mats.

Students with a medical condition should have and treatment (pills, inhaler, etc.) readily to hand and have explained to the instructor the relevant details for their condition and medication.
No jitsuka feeling the effects of alcohol should enter the dojo. This is as a sign of respect as well as safety since alcohol is known to slow reaction time.

Parts of the Dojo

Just as any other building or room might have specific areas set out within it, so a dojo may have different areas or sections. The diagram below shows some of the main parts of any jiu jitsu dojo.

Shoman - The front of the dojo, this is traditionally the northern wall, or the wall opposite the dojo entrance.
Joseki - The right side of the dojo where the most senior students line up.
Shimoseki - The left side of the dojo where the most junior students line up.
Shimoza - The back of the dojo.
Kamiza - Literally the 'seat of gods', this is the position taken up by the instructors and any esteemed guests of the dojo. It does not confer a godlike status on the person(s) taking this position; simply respect.

Some dojo have a center piece for the shoman side of the dojo. This is called the kamidana, and could display anything from a picture of the founding master of the style, to a display of weaponry. The kamidana and or kamiza (if there is truly a seat) may be set within a recess on the shoman side of the dojo. This recess is known as the tokonoma.

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