The Dojo Kiku means the rules and regulations in the training hall or dojo. You should read and obey the following kiku.
1. All classes must be paid for on a monthly basis in advance.
2. Payment is due each month from the date you commence study. For example, if you begin study mid-month, payment is due mid-month.
3. You must adjust your own schedule to take the days of class you have paid for within that particular payment month.
4. When you want to arrange your payment method differently for some reason, you should ask Sensei directly.
5. You must pay the certificate fee promptly after you have passed the examination for your promotion.
6. An additional fee will be charged for any special training session offered besides regular classes.
1. The New Jersey Ki Society is not responsible for your personal property.
2. You may leave your training clothes such as gi, obi, hakama, etc., in the koishitsu (changing room).
3. You may leave your bokken, jo, tanto on the racks on the dojo wall, but cannot complain if other students use them or they get damaged.
4. You may not leave other items of personal property unless you get permission from Sensei.
1. You should wash your training clothes frequently so as not to annoy others.
2. If you take only the Ki Development classes, you may wear any comfortable clothes.
3. If you take in Ki-Aikido classes, you should wear either a judo gi or karate gi or a similar gi.
4. If you hold the rank of sankyu and above you may wear a hakama. If you hold the rank of shodan and above, you must wear a hakama.
5. Ladies must wear an undershirt under their gi.
6. You should not wear accessories during the class. They may cause injuries or they may get damaged. This includes such items as rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
7. You may put on your hakama on the mat before a class starts. If you are joining the class late, you must put on your hakama in koishitsu.
8. You may fold a hakama on the mat after class is over. If you leave while class is in progress, you should fold your hakama in koishitsu.
9. You should wear some type of sandals or shoes from the changing room to the edge of the mat. Please place your sandals in order at the edge of the mat.
1. You must not walk across the mat in either direction when any of the following in progress:
A. When everyone is doing rei with seiza.
B. When everyone is reading from the shokushu (Ki Sayings booklet).
C. When Sensei or joshu is demonstrating or explaining.
D. When the breathing exercise is in progress.
E. When the meditation exercise is in progress.
F. When Sensei or joshu indicates you should not walk across the mat.
1. After you sign your name on the attendance pad at the desk, you should put your shoes or sandals on the shoe rack.
2. At the edge of the mat you must do rei facing shomen (the place where the Ki calligraphy is hanging on the wall). Then you may walk into koishitsu.
3. There are two kinds of rei; there is za-rei (make a bow from the sitting posture) and there is ritsu-rei (make a bow from the standing posture). Either type will do. You should not forget that everything begins and ends with rei, not just in form alone but in spirit.
4. When you enter the mat from koishitsu, you should do rei facing shomen.
5. When it is time for class to begin, everyone should sit side by side in seiza facing shomen, lowest ranking student to the left, and highest ranking student to the right.
6. If the class is to be a Ki class, there will be a reading from the shokushu booklet. The head reader and the students do rei facing shomen together. The reader turns around to face the other students. The line of students and the reader do rei to each other. After that, the head reader should start to read from the shokushu, phrase by phrase, or sentence by sentence, so that the other students can follow him or her easily. The reader and the line of students do rei facing each other. The reader turns to face shomen and everyone does rei to shomen.
7. The class starts when Sensei or joshu sits seiza facing shomen. Everyone does rei facing shomen and then students do rei facing Sensei or joshu.
1. If you come late, you should sign your name on the attendance pad at the desk and then put your shoes or sandals on the shoe rack before entering the mat.
2. At the edge of the mat you must do rei facing shomen.
3. You should walk behind the class (on the opposite side of shomen) to get to koishitsu.
4. When you enter the mat again from koishitsu, you should do rei facing shomen.
5. When you want to join a class in progress, you should walk behind the class to find your place.
6. When you come late, you may limber up by yourself near the edge of the mat. But you must do rei facing shomen before joining the class that is under way.
1. When Sensei or joshu is demonstrating or explaining, you must sit down and watch.
2. You must follow the instructions of Sensei. You should also follow instructions given by the Assistant Lecturers (joshu) who have received this title from Master Koichi Tohei.
3. When you are called to take ukemi for Sensei or joshu, you should immediately come to the shomen where the demonstration or explanation will be done. Sensei or joshu can choose any student of any rank as Aikido uke. Students who are chosen as uke must be good uke who can do zenpo ukemi and koho ukemi very well.
4. Advanced students should help beginning students. Never forget that teaching requires patience. Teaching is one way to advance your own ability and knowledge.
5. Beginning students should respect advanced students. Obedient students make rapid progress.
6. If Sensei or joshu divides a class into two or three groups during a class, you should follow this order promptly.
7. When a class ends, you must sit seiza and do rei facing shomen and then do rei facing Sensei or joshu. After Sensei or joshu bows out at the edge of the mat, the highest ranking student (right most on the mat) announces "Class dismissed!" Then finally, you should do rei to each other.
1. At the edge of the mat, you must do rei, facing shomen.
2. If you must leave a class in progress, you should tell Sensei or joshu.
3. When you must leave a class after the first session, you should leave the mat before the second session starts.
1. To clean the dojo is one practice of shugyo (the spiritual training). There are two ways to clean the dojo:
A) Clean the dojo in order to have clean dojo.
B) Clean the dojo in order to clean the dojo.
2. "Clean the dojo in order to have clean dojo" means to keep the dojo clean because everyone wants to practice with each other in the clean atmosphere including mat, changing rooms, toilet rooms, etc.
3. "Clean the dojo in order to clean the dojo" means to continue to clean the dojo from the bottom of your heart without reward as well as to keep your heart clean or shojo-shin. Thus you can wash your own mind as if you were washing your face every morning. Never forget that shugyo is not only to practice techniques, but also to clean the kokoro (mind, heart, spirit or soul). Reflect upon yourself by looking down at your feet.
4. When the New Jersey Ki Society announces the cleanup of the dojo, you should try to help.
1. Special events are announced on the board in advance.
2. Watch the board for other announcements (including holidays) when the New Jersey Ki Society will be closed or other changes in class schedule.
1. Ki and Aikido tests are held periodically. The exact dates are posted on the board in advance.
2. Students who are qualified for the Ki and Aikido tests are announced on the board in advance.
3. You have the right to postpone your own test even though your name has been announced. You should inform Sensei if you wish to postpone your test.
1. Those who are answering the telephone or attending to a visitor should be polite and give correct information.
2. When you answer the telephone, it is desirable to ask for their address in order that the brochure can be sent to them or information on future events.
3. When a caller requests information about the branches of Ki Society, you should ask Sensei or joshu.
4. If you receive a long distance call for Sensei or joshu, you should inform Sensei or joshu immediately even if the class is in session. (Except when Bill is leading class. He does not answer the phone.)
1. Visiting other dojo, Ki Society or otherwise, is a good way to become well rounded in the martial arts, and is therefore encouraged.
2. You should let the local Sensei or joshu know your "rank and serial number," i.e., your dojo affiliation and home rank (Kyu or Dan).
2. You should ask Sensei or joshu about the payment of a mat fee before entering the mat.
3. You should read and obey the local dojo kiku or follow the instructions by Sensei or joshu before entering the mat.
4. If you normally wear a hakama and/or black belt, ask if you can wear them while visiting. This applies especially if you visit a dojo that is not with Ki Society. You may be very good at what you do in your dojo, but not quite on the up-and-up of the local customs. Always ask.
5. Remember that you are a guest and there to learn their way of doing things. If asked, you may instruct in your way.
6. Always leave an invitation and the address of your dojo so that the people you visit can visit your dojo. You are in effect, a sales(wo)man for your dojo.
7. Remember to thank the Sensei or joshu for letting you practice there.
Etiquette is in many cases considered old fashioned. In the martial arts it is to be considered essential.
In many cases a martial artist gets a big head, becomes arrogant, unpolished and has no respect for others or self. Yet, he demands respect, makes statements based on egoism, anxious to tell the world of all of his accomplishments but is very childish in many of his dealings with those of authority. [Ed: Never at NJKS!?!]
Rei (the bow) is to show a sincere respect for each other, a love for all humanity. Rei is to bow with perfection and dignity. There are no unnecessary motions and definitely no trace of inattention.
There are two kinds of rei; there is za-rei (make a bow from the sitting posture - Seiza) and there is ritsu-rei (make a bow from the standing posture). You should not forget that everything begins and ends with rei, not just in form alone but in spirit.
When sitting Seiza from the standing position, kneel on the left knee keeping on your toes, then kneel on your right knee, being sure that your feet are in line. Sit down on your heels as you straighten your toes under you so you are sitting on the soles of your feet, crossing your left toe over right, or at least having them touching. Put your hands on your thighs with the fingers pointing slightly inward, letting your arms and shoulders relax, keeping the One-point. Keep your back straight. You should have approximately 2 - 3 fists distance between the knees (for males). Females should sit with knees together.
When bowing toward Shomen, slide/move your hands forward, making a triangle with them approximately 30.48 centimeters (that's "one foot", as in twelve inches, to you old-timers) in front of you. Bow from the One-point being sure when returning to pull/move both hands back at the same time. Return to the original position looking straight forward.
When bowing to Sensei you must remember to lower your head before Sensei bows, and raise your head after Sensei raises his. (Count "one-hundred-two-hundred-three-hundred.") You return to the original position.
When standing from Seiza, get on your toes first. Begin to stand as you move your right foot forward. Stand up slowly, then pull the right foot back so that you are standing naturally. Stand up as if you are sitting in front of your food. Don't step in your food.
Remember that a bow is a sign of respect and readiness.
Printed Version (July 10, 1993) © 1992 New Jersey Ki Society
Html Version © 1999-2000 New Jersey Ki Society
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Author: Bengt Lindblad
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