It is important that you learn about the manners and etiquette of kendo. This attendance to tradition, along with kendo kata, is what differentiates kendo from a sport.
Activities you should practise in Dojo
• You should bow (ritsu rei) before entering and upon leaving the dojo.
• Always assume a serious attitude and treat the dojo as a place where something important transpires.
• Line up quickly and quietly when the senior student (sempai) calls the dojo to line up (sei retsu).
• Check to make sure you are aligned with the person to your right holding your shinai in your left hand.
Activities you should avoid practising in Dojo
• Remove your outdoor shoes before entering the dojo to keep the training area clean and to show respect for the space.
• Maintain a quiet and focused atmosphere within the dojo to allow everyone to concentrate on their practice.
• Treat instructors, fellow practitioners, and the dojo environment with respect at all times.
• Avoid using mobile phones or electronic devices during training sessions to stay focused and minimize distractions.
• Refrain from eating or chewing gum while in the dojo to maintain cleanliness and to prevent choking hazards during vigorous training.
• Aim to arrive early or on time for training sessions to show dedication and to avoid disrupting the class.
• Remove jewelry and accessories that may pose a safety risk during practice, such as rings, bracelets, or necklaces.
• Listen attentively to instructions and avoid interrupting the instructor or other practitioners during demonstrations or explanations.
• Store equipment neatly and return it to its proper place after use to maintain organization and safety in the dojo.
• Avoid engaging in roughhousing, joking around excessively, or behaving in a manner that could lead to injury or disruption during training sessions.
Seiza
It is often difficult for non-Japanese to sit in this manner right away. Seiza is the traditional Japanese seated position, developed in Japanese culture in the context of the Japanese house, which does not have chairs or couches. Kendo maintains this tradition. At the beginning and end of every kendo practice, all dojo members will sit in seiza to put on their bogu, bow in, and take off their bogu.
To do this, step back with your left foot, lower your left knee to the floor, then your right knee to the floor, and sit back on your heels. Place your shinai on the floor and sit in seiza.
After lining up, wait until sempai instructs you to be seated (seiza). Sit down gently, under control, and avoid plopping the floor with a thud. To assume the seiza position, step back with your left foot and lower your left knee to the floor. Then, bring your right foot back and under, next to your left. Slowly lower your body until your buttocks are resting on your heels. Ensure that your knees are about one or two fists apart. This may be the first test of the difficult nature of kendo. Additionally, try to place your shinai on the floor gently, rather than letting it crash. Ensure that you are still aligned with the person to your right, with your knees and shinai forming straight lines from sempai to the most junior student (kohai).
Mokuso
Sempai will then call the dojo to attention (ki o tsuke). Students should sit up straight with their chin slightly pulled in and their mouth closed. Place your hands in your lap with your palms facing up, fingertips overlapping, and thumbs touching tip to tip. The sensation should be as if you are holding an egg in your hands. If you press too hard, the egg will break; if you do not press enough, the egg will fall to the floor. Before practice, Sempai will call the dojo to engage in a moment of meditation (mokuso) to clear the mind of distractions and prepare for training. Breathe naturally through your nose, using your abdomen and diaphragm to draw air into the bottom of your lungs. After a while, Sempai will call an end to the meditation (yame).
To begin, assume the seiza position, then place your left hand and right hand on the floor, bow at the waist, and keep your back flat. Finally, return to the seiza position.
Za rei
At this point, the instructor will direct the class to face the front of the dojo and bow to the head of the dojo (shinzen ni rei). Then, bow at the waist, placing your left hand and then your right on the floor in front of you. Your fingers should be extended and joined with your forefingers and thumbs touching, forming a triangle. Keep your back straight and avoid raising your hips. Do not lower your head; keep your neck in alignment with your back. After a brief pause, return to the seiza position by first retracting your right hand and then your left. Place your hands comfortably on your thighs. Sempai will then instruct the dojo to face the teachers (sensei ni rei). Turn to the teachers and follow the same method described above. However, respectfully say ‘onegai shimasu’. This indicates to the teacher that you are eager and prepared to practice kendo.
Etiquette and Discipline
The heart of Nepal Kendo
In the realm of Nepal Kendo, etiquette and discipline go hand in hand. Experience the harmony of mind, body, and spirit in every movement. Unleash your potential and embrace the path of respect and self-control!