Dojo

Dojo [ do ː dʑo ː ] (Japanese道场, Place of the Way ) refers to a training room for various Japanese martial arts ( Budo ), such as Karate, Judo, Kendo, Jujutsu or Aikido. In a figurative sense, the term also for the community of practitioners there.

Dojo species

Honbu Dojo (本部 道场) denotes the headquarters or the central training hall of a martial art or combat sport.

In Zen Buddhism (meditation) is practiced in a dojo zazen. Such a dojo is also called Zendo (禅堂).

Outside of Japan, in addition to the actual exercise hall or practice room with " dojo " is often also referred to the association or club.

Direction information

  • Front ( Vorder-/Frontseite ): SHOMEN (正面). Although strongly influenced buddhist, it is in Japan since the 1920s in many Budo Dojo - usual, be placed in the front side and a Kamidana ( Shinto household shrine ), which is referred to as Kamiza.
  • Links: Fukosen
  • Right: Shusen
  • Main line: Embusen (演武 线, also Enbusen )
  • Input side: Shimose
  • Upper side: joseki ( place of honor for the teacher, usually the furthest away from the entrance )
  • Bottom side: Shimoseki ( space for the students, compared to the joseki )

Code of Conduct

Although in the Western world a dojo is mostly a normal gym, shall apply to the athletes and guests certain rules of conduct ( reishiki ):

  • Before entering the actual exercise hall, the shoes are taking off, so that the soil is not contaminated with dirt road.
  • When you enter the dojo, you bow towards SHOMEN (front). It shows with this bow that you submit to its rules.
  • Loud noises or conversations are undesirable because the practitioners are not to be disturbed.

In many dojo the seating arrangement allows conclusions on the ranking of the People: The highest-ranking sit farthest from the door. This tradition dates back to the reign of the samurai (warrior caste), and is still to be found in offices of Japanese companies.

Known Dojo

  • Kodokan, the oldest and most important Jūdō - school in the world, in Tokyo
  • Aikikai Honbu Dojo, main dojo of Aikido, also in Tokyo
  • Yuishinkan, Dojo Goju - Ryu of Karate in Osaka
  • Noma Dojo, a major investor-owned kendo dojo in Tokyo.
  • Martial Arts ( Japan)
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