Start here. We strive for dignity and to prevent chaos in the dōjō by observing protocol.
Protocol
Term
Nihonji
Description
akushu, n.
握手
Handshake.
anza, n.
安座
Sitting cross-legged. Compare with seiza.
arigatō gozaimasu, expression
ありがとうございます.
Thank you very much.
dōgi naoshite.
道着治して
(dictionary form: dōgi naosuru). Reset your uniform
gozaimasu, teineigo expr.
ございます
Used to express politeness.
kudasai, sonkeigo expr.
下さい
Please. Compare with nasai, and onegaishimasu
kyū, n.
級
Grade/rank. Used for non-black belt grading. 2nd kyū = brown belt. 1st kyū = brown belt with black stripe.
naore, v.
治れ
(Dictionary form: naoru 治る). To come back to attention. Literally: “fix/mend/reset.”
hajime, v.
始め
(Dictionary form: hajimeru 始める). To start.
nasai, teineigo expr.
なさい
Please. Compare with kudasai, and onegaishimasu
onegaishimasu, kenjōgo expr.
お願いします
Please. Compare with kudasai, nasai
osu, expression.
おす
Abbreviation of oshi 押し (push/audacity) and shinobu 凌ぐ (endure). It is also the budōka’s short form for onegaishimasu since they use onegaishimasu a lot. Used in the West as ‘yes’, ‘I understand’ and “Gung-ho!”
rei, n.
礼
Bow. Thanks.
seiza, n.
正座
Sitting on knees. Literally, “correct sitting.” Compare with anza.
suwatte kudasai, v.
座って
Please sit down.
tatsu, v.
立つ
(command: tatte). To stand. See dachi.
tatte kudasai, v.
立ってください
Stand up, please. See tatsu and kudasai
yame, v.
止め
(Dictionary form: yameru 止める). Stop!
yasume, v.
休め
(Dictionary form: yasumeru 休める). Rest!.
yōi, n.
用意
The act of getting ready. Literally, “preparation.”
Philosophy
Term
Nihonji
Description
budō, n.
武道
Martial Arts. Translates as “way of the warrior."(2)
dōjōkun, n.
道場訓
Literally, “training hall rules.” However kun 訓 can also be translated as “teaching.”
ki, n.
気
Spirit.
mokusō, n.
黙想
Meditation.
shinzen, n.
神前
“Before God/gods.” Used in the command “shinzen ni rei” (神前に礼)