“Onegaishimasu”
This is what we say at the beginning of class to the teacher after bowing in and what we say to our partners before we
begin practising our techniques. It means “may I?”, ”would you be so kind (as to train with me)?” It is how you humbly ask
a favor in Japanese and is the appropriate thing to say before training.
“Domo”
This a very informal and short “thanks” which one would use to one´s equals or use casually. It is made more respectful
by saying “hai, domo” and bowing, especially if you say it with enthusiasm.
“Arigato”
This is more polite than “domo” and if spoken with a bow, emphasis, and enthusiasm can be said to your equals and
kohai (juniors). The bow would be a bit deeper the older or more experienced the person is to whom you are speaking.
This should not be used when speaking to your sensei. Indeed, both “domo” and “arigato” are rather too casual for general
dojo use.
“Arigato Gozaimashita”
This is a level of thank you just below the most formal one below and should be used when more respect is warranted,
such as when the teacher or your sempai (senior) has taken the time to explain or to show you something. When standing,
it should be used with a middle-deep bow, and when in seiza or kiza, a bow to the mat. When crouching, use the
appropriate bow from that position. The advantage of this form is that it is not as long as the full, formal thank you. Just as
being too abrupt in your thanks and acknowledgement is impolite, so is slowing things down too much. Non Japanese
speakers often have a hard time saying these longer versions quickly, therefore it is a good idea to practice speedy and
correct pronunciation of this and the form below. A good time to use it would be when your teacher has just stopped briefly
to offer advice when to stop your practice, sit in full seiza, and make the longer thank you would interrupt the flow of training.
“Domo Arigato Gozaimashita”
This is the most formal version of saying “thank you” in Japanese. It is used when one is extremely grateful, or in the
formal “thank you” given after a teacher has demonstrated a technique, or at the end of practice.
“Seiza”, “Kiza” Etc.
It is appropriate to sit in full seiza at the beginning and end of class and when the teacher has stopped training to
demonstrate the next technique. It is not appropriate to sit all the way down in seiza when out on the mat and in the midst
of training. It is appropriate to sit in kiza or in iaigoshi (a swordsman´s crouch) when you are training with two uke-s, when
you are the demonstration uke for sensei, and when sensei has stopped by to give you and your partner advice (where it is
impolite to remain standing if he talks for more than a few moments). There are at least two reasons for this; one, you
should be ready to spring into action at any time, and two, when you are out on the mat you must be prepared to move
quickly if another member of the dojo suddenly comes flying in your direction – from full seiza this is harder to do.
When you are sensei´s uke, you should not remain standing if he is talking for more than a few moments, but you must
also be prepared to jump up immediately when he calls for an attack. Full seiza means that you will be slow to respond
and will make him wait. You should sink down into iaigoshi or kiza if the interval becomes too long or if sensei is speaking
for any length of time.
“Hai Sensei”
I don´t know why, but Japanese students do not seem to say this, but one hears it all the time among foreigners.
Japanese just say “HAI!” (or in Yoshinkai Aikido “OSU!”) when replying to their sensei (except at the end of the advice or
instruction when the thank you-s above are used).
Bowing
At the beginning of class we bow in together and at the end of class we bow out together. At these times we are at our
most formal, continuing a long tradition, paying our respects to the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. We are also
preparing ourselves for that transition from everyday life to that special attention and attitude with which we train. Bowing is
a Japanese cultural custom and, as with the use of Japanese words in our training, non-Japanese must strike a balance
between following tradition and recognising that Aikido is greater than its Japano-centric roots (if that phrase is correct!).
Bowing is first and foremost an expression of feeling and, at the same, time is a display of your own development and
attitude.
Bowing does not lie, as it were, in that your sincerity (or lack of it) in this, as in all Aikido movements, is clear to an astute
observer. If bowing then is about feeling, it also includes awareness. In the narrow sense, the awareness is merely
social; one is aware of the rank of the person to whom you are bowing. A very deep bow is given to your sensei, a less
deep bow is given to your sempai (seniors) and the friendly, more casual bows are given to your peers. Bows in the dojo
are more formal overall than those in the street, etc. In a wider sense, a connection with your surroundings is also
expressed in your bow. One keeps proper distance between you and the person to whom you are bowing (mai-ai in
Japanese) and also a 360° sense of what is happening around you. In a martial context such as Aikido practice, this
should be part of your training - sensing danger before it comes too close and expecting danger at any time. The ideal is
to show good manners and also to be prepared for the unexpected attack. Bowing in seiza walks a fine line between giving
your partner the beady eye (and thus showing distrust and bad manners) and bowing so low that you lose all awareness
of their person and what they may suddenly do. In this, as in all Aikido ,one must put full attention into one´s actions, be
aware of what is going on around you and aware of the person in front of you. One example of this is when someone is
bowing in or bowing off the mat. If practice is in full swing then everyone continues as they are, but if the mat is relatively
clear, then it is bad form to walk between the shomen and the person who is bowing. To do so indicates a lack of
awareness to the connection at that moment between the two and a lack of respect for their act of respect.
If you have not been formally instructed in making a correct bow it is a good idea to ask for help from your seniors. Like
everything in Aikido one´s bow will improve over the years. When you see (and feel) the bow of a master it somehow looks
just right - not showy, not lazy, not distracted, not complicated. It is a perfect distillation of attention, focused for the right
amount of time, towards the person or object bowed to. When someone bows it is a reflection of what he or she is
thinking, how they have trained, and their connection to their surroundings.
If all of this seems too impossible, do not worry. The younger generation in Japan is generally very bad at correct bowing
and many larger businesses have to hold classes to teach their employees how to bow properly to clients, seniors and
their bosses! They too have to learn to bow all over again when they take up a martial art. Always remember, the quality of
your bow reflects on your dojo and your sensei, so pay attention.
Clapping
In this dojo we bow in and out with two claps. Clapping comes from the native Japanese Shinto religion, but as used by
Aikidoka is not restricted to or necessarily indicative of religious expression. In Aikido the concept of misogi, or purification,
is important. Purification can be performed through specific ritual – e.g. misogi-no-jo or chanting (kotodama) – or through
the intense and pure spirit with which we daily train. In a Shinto shrine the two (or three or four) claps are used to “tune in”
as you begin to pray, to summon the gods, to create a good vibration in that place. In Aikido clapping is the signal that we
are beginning our training, our purification. It is a reminder to “switch on” to our training mind and become aware of our
connection to the dojo and our fellow students. How hard and how loud should we clap? A teacher once told me that the
claps “should create a good feeling”. They should not be too timid and they should not be too loud; one indicates
distraction or holding back and the other jars on the nerves and indicates a lack of sensitivity to others. As with bowing,
clapping is a manifestation of your spirit and a reflection of your training.
Arriving Late/Leaving Early
While punctuality is a virtue, sometimes our training is at the mercy of our other commitments. When you arrive at training
late, or need to depart early, courtesy dictates that you do so by seeking leave of whoever is teaching the class. If you enter
late, bow at the door, go and get changed, stretch out and warm up. When you re-enter the dojo hall sit in seiza quietly at
the edge of the mat (in our dojo you should sit off the mat over by the main door) and wait for the teacher to invite you to
train. When you have been told to join in, make a bow, move onto the mat and perform the ceremony of bowing and
clapping-in before you find a partner and start training. When you need to leave early, wait until the teacher is not busy and
ask him or her for permission to leave the mat. When permission is given, perform the bowing and clapping ceremony
before you go to get changed. This formality is part of our training and part of developing our awareness towards others
and to the dojo. Even senior students and teachers will pay these respects to a junior who is teaching a class. Etiquette in
a dojo has a larger meaning than the merely social, and “asking permission” is an expression of respect beyond any idea
of power or status.
Off the Mat When Training is in Progress
Whether you are coming late to class, leaving early, or just watching practice it is important to pay attention and respect
towards the teacher and the training that is taking place. If I am on my way to the changing room, or am standing anywhere
around the mat when the teacher stops training to demonstrate the next technique, I stop and lower myself into a crouch
facing the shomen and the teacher. When he is done demonstrating I bow in respect. This can be done standing as well.
If I am beside the mat at the beginning or end of class when the teacher and students are bowing and clapping, I also stop
what I am doing and bow towards the shomen and towards the teacher together with those on the mat (I do not clap as I
am not participating in the class).
Visitors or people who have just dropped by the dojo to have a look at Aikido cannot be expected to do these things; I do
them as a part of my own training and as an act of recognition for where I am and for what is going on around me. If the
class is moving around and practising, I will make my way into the changing room or go about my business quietly. When
they are sitting down to focus on the teacher or on the ceremony at the beginning and end of class however, it would be
rude and un-aware of me to talk, walk around, or otherwise draw attention to myself. More important than the exact
(Japanese, martial) etiquette is the spirit of attention and of respect that we display when we are in our place of training,
even when we are not ourselves training.
Finally..........
If in doubt, a sincere, focused and modest attitude will usually achieve the desired result. Maintain decorum but enjoy your
training. More important than the correct Japanese words or form is the spirit with which you train and that spirit will be
apparent to all.
(Document from: www.aikieast.com/etiquett.doc)
Dojo Etiquette
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