Dojo etiquettes.
Rei begins and ends everything, 礼に始まり礼に終わる. Before the first punch is thrown and after the last bow, what defines a Kyokushin karateka is conduct.
Discipline is the first technique.
In Kyokushin, etiquette, 礼儀 reigi, is not ceremony for its own sake. It is the daily practice of respect, awareness, and self-control that makes hard training possible. Without it, the dojo is only a room; with it, the room becomes a place where character is forged.
Every student, from white belt to black, observes the same customs. They protect us from injury, sharpen our focus, and remind us that the person across from us is a partner, not an opponent. Learn them carefully , and uphold them in every class.
Twelve customs of the dojo.
- 01
Bow on entering and leaving the dojo
On crossing the threshold of the dojo, stand at the doorway, face the shomen, and bow with a clear "Osu". Repeat the bow when leaving. The dojo is a place of training, treat it with the respect you would a temple.
- 02
Greet with "Osu"
Osu is the universal greeting, acknowledgement, and affirmation of Kyokushin. Use it when greeting your sensei, senpai, and fellow karateka, when receiving instruction, and when answering. It carries the spirit of patience, determination, and perseverance under pressure.
- 03
Be punctual
Arrive in good time so that you are changed, warmed up, and lined up before class begins. If you arrive late, kneel quietly in seiza at the side of the dojo until the instructor invites you to join the class, then bow and step in.
- 04
Respect your sensei and senpai
Address your instructor as Sensei and your seniors as Senpai. Listen attentively when they speak, do not interrupt, and respond with "Osu". Their guidance is given so that you may grow, receive it with humility.
- 05
Keep your gi clean and in good order
A clean, pressed white dogi reflects pride in your art and respect for those who train alongside you. Wear only an authorised Kyokushin gi and the belt you have rightfully earned. Tidy your belt and gi away from the training line if it comes loose.
- 06
No shoes on the dojo floor
Train barefoot. Shoes are removed before stepping onto the mat and placed neatly at the edge of the dojo. Footwear belongs outside the training space.
- 07
Personal hygiene and grooming
Keep finger and toe nails trimmed short. Remove all jewellery, watches, and piercings before training. Long hair should be tied back. These rules protect both you and your training partners.
- 08
No food, drink, or gum on the floor
Only water is permitted at the side of the dojo. Eating, chewing gum, and smoking are not allowed inside the training space. Mobile phones are silenced and kept away.
- 09
Line up in order of rank
At the beginning and end of class, line up swiftly and silently in order of grade, highest rank to the right, lowest to the left. Sit in seiza when instructed, perform mokuso, and bow to the shomen, then to sensei, then to one another.
- 10
Do not leave the floor without permission
Once class has begun, do not leave the dojo floor without first asking the instructor. If you must step off, to attend to an injury or adjust your gi, bow as you leave and as you return.
- 11
Train with sincerity and control
Give full effort in every technique, but never out of ego. Look after your partners: control your contact, acknowledge their effort, and bow before and after every exchange. The strong protect the weak, that is the way of the budoka.
- 12
Carry the dojo with you
What is learned inside the dojo is lived outside of it. Conduct yourself with courtesy, discipline, and integrity at school, at work, and at home. You represent your sensei, your dojo, and Kyokushin wherever you go.
Passion. Patience. Perseverance.
Observe etiquette and you honour every karateka who has stood on this floor before you, and every one who will stand on it after.