BASIC ETIQUETTE
BASIC ETIQUETTE
When entering the Dojo (training hall), Shizen Rei (bow) and say
one of the following phrases:
Ohayo Gozaimasu - Good Morning
Konnichi wa - Good Afternoon
Konban wa - Good Evening
When leaving the Dojo, bow and say one of the following:
Oyasumi nasai - Good Night
Sayonara - Goodbye
The teacher should be addressed as Sensei
Show that you understand an explanation by saying Hai,
wakarimashita. (This is especially important if your teacher is
Japanese). To help pronounce the word, break it down. In this
instance pronounce it waka-rima-shi-ta.
THE OPENING CEREMONY
(Note: This is now only used when important visitors are
present)
1. The highest-ranking student will give the order for everyone
to line up (Sei Retsu).
2. When everyone is sitting in a STRAIGHT line, the
highest-ranking student will give the order for meditation to begin
(Mokuso). Close your eyes and breathe slowly and deeply during
Mokuso (meditation). Try to empty your mind of worries and
thoughts.
3. During Mokuso (meditation), the Sensei (teacher) will recite
the Ninniku Seishin in short phrases followed by pauses. The whole
class will repeat each phrase during the pause. (Try your best! The
Ninniku Seishin is printed in the Introductory Leaflet).
4. The Sensei (teacher) will end Mokuso (meditation) by saying
Mokuso Yame (i.e. Stop meditation). Open your eyes.
5. The Sensei (teacher) will turn away from the class and say
Chihayafure kami no oshie wa tokoshie ni tadashiki kokoro mi o
mamoruran.
6. The teacher will then say Shikin haramitsu dai komyo. The
whole class with repeat this, then (at the same time as the
teacher) clap twice, bow, clap once, then bow once more.
7. The teacher will turn to face the class and the
highest-ranking student will say Shisei o tadashite, Sensei ni rei.
The whole class will then bow and say Onegaishimasu.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY
1. Repeat steps 1,5,6,7 of the opening ceremony, but say Arigato
Gozaimashita instead of Onegai Shimasu.
2. Finally, the highest-ranking student will say Sogo ni rei.
The whole class (this time excluding the teacher) will bow and say
Arigato Gozaimashita.
COUNTING IN JAPANESE
IchiNiSanShiGoRokuShichiHachiKuJu
OneTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTen
ItchNeeSanShiGoRookZitchHatchKuJu
FROM THE LITTLE FINGER TO THUMB
Chi
Sui
Ka
Fu
Ku
Earth
Water
Fire
Wind
Void
