Etiquette (Rei-Gi) II

GENERAL DO’S AND DON’TS:

Be committed and come to class regularly.  If not, you not only waste your time, but you waste your instructor’s time and you may keep class progression at a slower pace.

Be on-time if not early to class.  If late, enter quietly without distracting others.  Dress, prepare, and warm up before joining the session.  Wait until an exercise is complete, step into the group, and bow.  Similarly if you have to be excused before the end of the practice, let sensei or a senior know.

Never sit or rest without permission unless you feel ill during class.  If ill or injured, bow out and get well.  Only you know your body.

Make the most of every practice.  Come prepared mentally and physically.

It is customary to walk behind a kendoka wearing armor and standing or sitting in position. If it is unavoidable, stretch your right arm in front of you, bow slightly, and excuse yourself while passing.

While instruction is being given by the sensei, sempai, or visiting teacher, do not interrupt, contradict, or be uncooperative. Do not allow your attention to wander during instruction.

Do not lean against the wall or on a shinai, using it as a cane.

Do not wear a hat, speak loudly, or use abusive language in the dojo.

Always place your shinai or sword out of the way, where others cannot stumble over or step on it. Do not rest it against the wall in an upright position.

Never step on or over a shinai, iaito, bokuto, or any representation of a sword.

Never kick, step on, or move someone’s bogu; treat them with respect.

Always bow to your opponent before and after a keiko.  Show respect by saying loud and clear, "onegaishimasu" while bowing before engaging and "arigato gozaimashita" after engaging.

If your armor becomes loose or untied, raise your right arm to signal you need to stop, step back, correct the problem, then start again with a standing bow.

Always place safety first.

Always take the opportunity to practice with higher ranks, and never allow a sensei or senior student to stand idle.

Always show your best reigi (etiquette), shisei (attitude), and kigurai (pride) wherever you practice.  Not only do you represent yourself, your represent your dojo, your sensei, and your sempai.