21/04/2019
Please read before you go to Japan!
The Genkan
玄関 [げんかん (genkan)] entranceway, entry hall, vestibule, foyer, entryway.
When I was living in Japan and now as I visit yearly, I’m still shocked and bewildered at the ignorance and/or carelessness of people as they enter the dojo.
Firstly, it is important to remember that the dojo is a spiritual place. At the Bujinden, there is a Shimenawa overhead, clearly visible outside of the main entrance. A Shimenawa is a representation and symbol denoting that one is about to enter a revered domain of spiritual and religious significance.
As such, upon entry, we BOW.
Not every genkan is the same, but for the sake of the international Bujinkan fraternity travelling to Japan, I’d like to concentrate on the way to enter the genkan at the Honbu.
1. Upon opening the front door and entering, stand and bow to the room.
- people in respect of this process should not be pushing past, but waiting to enter single file.
2. Move to the right side of the genkan.
Keep your shoes on. This lower/street/door height section is dirty. If you take your shoes off and stand in socks or bare feet on this lower level, it is bad etiquette, incorrect and dirty! If you do this, you will be soiling your feet and then walking up into the dojo and dirtying the dojo floor and tatami. This is considered extremely unhygienic, impolite and bad etiquette.
After you have moved to the right side where the shoe cubbies are, turn around. Place your heels hard against the wooded area and step back out of your shoes onto the raised area. Pick up your shoes and put them in a cubby.
Next, DO NOT walk back onto the lower level in your socks! I see so many do this!! It defeats the purpose of following the procedure up until that point if you do it.
Don’t do it!
The honbu genkan design is not great, so you have to step carefully around the edge near the shoe cubbies and up onto the raised area to avoid stepping back into the lower level.
3. To leave the dojo, the order is reversed.
4. If there is room, you can also apply this procedure to the main genkan landing/raised area directly infront of you after entering the dojo.
However, I suggest you refrain from doing this and leave it clear for the senior Shihan and Soke.
Personally, I see it as an absolute disgrace. It’s a complete disregard and lack of respect for the venue, the Japanese and their culture. As martial artists, it is such an important aspect of training to act upon and be mindful of.
All instructors should take greater responsibility in ensuring their students are aware of and act upon this format, especially if visiting Japan for training.
If all you do is think about fighting, then you will forget the true purpose of budo. Please consider being more holistic in approach and not just become thugs in black suits with no manners or cultural understanding.
“Martial Arts begins with manners and ends with manners.”
よろしくお願い致します！
南虎
