06/06/2026
From Sensei
KORYU KOSHU KAI
Dojo Etiquette and Expected Conduct
(Every member expected to know)
1. Entering the Dojo (Dōjō Iri)
Bow at the threshold: Acknowledge the dojo as a place of old‑way to respect and to practice and personal growth.
Mindful presence: Leave ego, stress, and outside concerns at the door.
Uniform readiness: Gi clean, belt tied properly, emblem worn with pride and humility.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Entering the dojo symbolizes stepping into koryu, the old ways, so students pause, breathe, and mentally commit to training with sincerity. Enter the dojo with the right mindset and intent.
2. Formal Sitting & Bowing
Seiza during opening/closing shows discipline and stillness.
Rei is performed with deliberate calm, not rushed.
Hands placed properly (left then right) to show no hostile intent.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: The bow is not ceremonial fluff, it is a declaration of respect for lineage, teachers, and the art itself. Bow with your heart!
3. Class Opening Ritual
Line up by rank: Senior students guide juniors by example. Most senior begins the front line to the right of Shomen, left of Sensei when he is looking at the class with his back to Shomen.
Mokusō: Clear the mind; prepare the spirit.
Shōmen ni rei: Honor the founders and the old ways.
Sensei ni rei: Acknowledge instruction with Onegaishimasu (please teach/help me)
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: This ritual connects students to the lineage you preserve, Goju‑ryu’s Okinawan roots and the responsibility to carry them forward.
4. Respect for Instructors & Senior Students
Use proper titles: Sensei, Senpai, Doshi, or Kohai.
Respond with “Hai” when given a command or asked if you understand. A sign of readiness and spirit.
Follow instructions immediately: No debate, no hesitation. The dojo isn’t a democracy.
If late, kneel and wait for acknowledgment before joining.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Senpai‑kohai structure is essential. Seniors model humility, not authority for its own sake.
5. Conduct Toward Fellow Students
Bow before and after training as partners. Mutual respect and safety.
Control techniques: Power without control is not being respectful or helpful.
Encourage, don’t belittle, Strength is shared, not hoarded.
Help juniors learn, Teaching reinforces your own understanding.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: The dojo and organization is your martial family. Everyone contributes to preserving the old ways.
6. Cleanliness & Care for the Dojo
Students clean the dojo: Floors, equipment, and personal space.
Gi and body clean: Respect for partners and the art.
Return equipment properly: Nothing left out or disorganized.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Cleaning is not a chore, it is souji, a practice of humility and gratitude.
7. Training Behavior
Follow commands with focus and spirit.
No unnecessary talking: Silence sharpens awareness.
Practice kata with intent: Not just memorization, but understanding.
Sparring is learning, not fighting: Fight hard but controlled and with respect. We want everyone to be able to train again tomorrow.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Technique must reflect the principles of Go (hard) and Ju (soft), harmonized through disciplined practice.
8. Personal Character Expectations
Integrity: Actions inside and outside the dojo reflect the art.
Humility: Rank is responsibility, not privilege.
Perseverance: Old‑way training demands patience and grit.
Bushidō virtues: Students are expected to embody them daily.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Our organization explicitly ties rank to character. Technical skill alone is never enough.
9. Ending Class
Return to seiza: Calm the mind after exertion.
Shōmen ni rei: Bow to main wall. Show gratitude for the art and its preservation.
Sensei ni rei: Bow to the instructor. Appreciation for instruction.
Otagani rei: Bow to one another. Appreciation for your training partners.
“Domo arigatō gozaimash*ta” Thank you very much. Spoken clearly and sincerely.
Koryu Koshu Kai emphasis: Closing ritual seals the training session, demonstrates respect and appreciation, and honors the lineage you protect.
