Basic rules
- Do not step onto the tatami (mats) in street shoes.
- Anyone not training keeps away from the class and does not disturb the participants.
- Black belt holders make a special effort to set a good example.
- Keep finger- and toenails short to avoid injuries.
- Everyone learns in their own way. What matters is not how fast someone progresses, but that progress is made.
Dress code
- Gi
- plain white with the black Motoha Yoshin Ryu kanji, worn with black trousers
- Hakama
- black hakama from 1st kyu; everyone else wears trousers
- Tabi
- may be worn by everyone; no socks
- Obi
- at least 3.10 m long – it is also used to practise first aid and restraining techniques
- Kyu grades
- coloured cotton belt according to rank (in Japan everyone wears a white belt until black belt)
- Dan grades
- black cotton belt; the name may be embroidered in red kanji
- Guests
- anyone who has not passed a Motoha Yoshin Ryu dan examination wears a white belt as a sign of respect when visiting
Before class
- Switch mobile phones off or to silent.
- On entering the dojo, bow towards the shomen.
- Remove rings, necklaces, watches and other jewellery.
- Be ready on time for the reiho. Latecomers perform the reiho at the edge of the mat, warm up on their own and ask the Sensei for permission to join the class.
Start of training
- Seiretsu
- line up
- Seiza
- kneel, sit down
- Shomen ni rei
- bow to the front (shomen) – only in the presence of a shoden with the Motoha Yoshin Ryu flag (hata) or the wooden dojo plaque
- Sensei ni rei
- the Sensei turns round; bow to the Sensei with “onegai shimasu”, the polite request to be taught
- Otagai ni rei
- bow to each other
- Kiritsu
- stand up
Motoha Yoshin Ryu always uses the neutral term “shomen”, not the religious term “shinzen”.
During and after class
The Sensei's word is binding for everyone. Talk as little as possible during training – and only about the exercises. Personal questions are discussed after training. Leave the dojo only with the Sensei's permission.
At the end, everyone lines up again facing the shomen. After the bow to the shomen, teacher and students bow to each other and the students say thank you with “domo arigato gozaimashita”.
Forms of address and communication
The most important rules are courtesy and respect. “Excuse me” is “sumimasen”. Only ask questions when they do not interrupt the class, starting with “Sumimasen Sensei”. After a correction or at the end of class, say thank you with “arigato gozaimashita”.
The person teaching is addressed as “Sensei”, everyone else by name. This is not about authoritarian behaviour but about good manners. Aggression and rudeness are taboo.
Sempai and kohai
Seniors (sempai) and juniors (kohai) have a special relationship in Japanese culture – power is neither emphasised nor exercised. The kohai wants to learn from the sempai and mirrors their behaviour. If the sempai does not correct the kohai, it is the sempai's mistake; in turn, it is the kohai's duty to learn.
As Soke said: most problems arise when people try to gain power and control over others. Training is more important than talking – and as a sempai you lead by example.