Etiquette in the dojo

Etiquette is an integral part of any traditional budo. There is a saying: Budo starts and ends with courtesy. It is extremely important to follow etiquette rules, as they help practitioners to follow the martial path safely and with pleasure. Etiquette helps practitioners to be constantly aware and at the same time respectful to the partners, teachers, and students. Dojo where etiquette rules are optional often lose the spirit of budo. 

In our Aikido school everyone is expected to follow the traditional rules of etiquette. The following points are important but not exhaustive rules. You should watch how do other people behave and listen to the teacher. 

Good manners in dojo: 

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  The third Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba performs sitting bow.
  Demonstrations at 20th Anniversary of Osaka Aikijuku Dojo.

  Take off your shoes before entering tatami area.
• Sit on your knees and bow to kamidana - central area with Japanese writings on the wall. 
• Clean the mats before practice. Do not rest if others are still cleaning. 
• Every time make a standing bow when enter or leaving the tatami area. 
• Change your close and warm up yourself by doing stretching, exercises or techniques. Never sit on the mat area without working. If you want to chat - you can do it, but only if you continue to warm up. But it is always better to chat outside the mats. 
• About two minutes before the training begin seat in a line facing kamidana. line up according to your ranking. Higher ranks to the right, lower - to the left (if facing kamidana). Wait for teacher in seiza position without talking. 
• When teacher enter tatami area and sit in seiza make an introductory bow ritual, indicating the beginning of practice: Bow twice, clap twice and bow once again. Then wait until teacher turns towards the students and bow to the teacher saying 'Onegai shimasu!'. Teacher bow to the students as well. 'Onegai shimasu!' can be translated as 'Please!' but literally means 'doing politeness'. It is kind of verbal agreement between you and teacher to be careful and polite with each other. Agreement not to try intentionally hurt each other but be sincere and openminded. 
• When teacher calls somebody to assist in demonstrations, he must bow and quickly run to the center of mats, sit in front of teacher and bow again. After demonstration is finished bow again from seiza position. 
• When teacher demonstrates or explains something everyone must watch and listen. Do not wipe your faces with towels, or rearrange your uniform during demonstrations. When teacher and his assistant bow each other everyone must sit in seiza position. The rest of demonstration you can sit with crossed legs, but never expose your feet or lean to the wall to rest. Your back must be strait and you must be ready to react if any danger came. In small dojos there are high chances that teacher assistant may fly into direction of other students. It this case they must react immediately giving a way for safe ukemi. It may be dangerous for you and teacher's assistant if you are losing concentration during the explanations. 
• When you begin practice with a new partner sit in seiza, bow each other and say 'Onegai shimasu!'. When you finish - sit, bow and say 'Arigatou gozaimashita!' or you can say 'Thank you' if your partner is not Japanese. 
• During the training no chatting allowed. However you can ask questions about techniques without disturbing other students. If your partner do not understand technique as well, try to do technique at your level of understanding. Teacher will notice your struggles and correct you if necessary. 
• At the end of training line up again according to your rank. Then bow to teacher and say 'Arigatou gozaimashita!'. Wait until teacher turns to kamidana and make a closing ritual: double bow, double clap and bow. Wait until teacher turns back to you again and say final remarks if he has.
• After teacher leaves mats you stand up und clean the dojo. 
• Before leaving dojo make a sitting bow to kamidana.