Tradition

Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai International
 

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TRADITION
 
    Tradition has played an important role throughout the hundreds of years that it has taken for the martial arts to develop. One of the oldest traditions is KATA. Since as early as the 600 A.D., kata has been passed down from master to student. These pre-arranged set of movements, which are supposed to represent combat, are one of karate’s most important traditions. Another important tradition which has been passed down throughout the years is RESPECT. As karate practitioners, we show respect in the form of BOWING. While in the kneeling position, a person bows with the left hand first. This tradition has existed since the days of the samurai. The left hand was used first so that the right hand would be free to grasp the Samurai sword if needed. This tradition also carries over when standing. When getting up from the kneeling position the right leg is used first, so that if a Samurai was being attacked, his sword could be drawn without cutting his leg off.
 
    The use of the karate belt has also become a tradition over the years, since karate was developed. In the beginning, all karate belts were white. As time passed and the student gained more skill, his belt would naturally become darker from sweat and determination to master his skills, until eventually, it would become black. So in the beginning, there were only two colors white and black. It wasn't until later that the brown belt was added. This was to distinguish someone who was of an advanced level, but wasn't a master yet. It wasn't until the late 1940's and 1950's that the intermediate level belts were added to the belt system. And this again, was to distinguish someone who was of intermediate level from the other levels. After becoming a master, the person was given the rank of SHODAN or first degree of black belt. In the early days, before karate came to the United States, there were only 5 ranks of black belt, Shodan to Godan. It wasn't until later that higher black belt ranks were established.
 
    However, even though the belt systems have changed slightly, they have become an important tradition in karate. Punching, kicking, sparring, and the use of the kiai have all become important traditions that have been passed down throughout the years. Being able to punch at an opponent is easy, but to be able to use full power and be able to pull it to within just a fraction of a inch is not as easy. So, it is this tradition of using control with power that makes karate look so impressive. The use of the kiai has also become an important tradition. It is said that someone who has mastered the kiai can scare their opponent to death simply with the scream alone. Now whether these ancient stories are true or not may never been known, but the fact is that kiai has become an important part of martial arts tradition throughout the world.
 
    As traditions are passed down from master to student, some are lost to time while others are created. An example of this is the use of makiwara or striking post. While many styles still use this technique of strengthening the hands and wrists, others have stopped using it. Also the use of Geta or iron sandals, which were used to strengthen the legs, have lost their usefulness over time. Other devices which were traditionally used, but have lost some of their usefulness are finger strengthening techniques. The use of buckets filled with sand, in which the hands would be driven in to them, have since lost their usefulness and importance, and have given way to new traditions like one-point sparring. The tradition of rigorous training and hard work are still important keys to the development of someone who is unskilled into someone who is skilled, and this tradition will never die out. Tradition is important to the martial arts because it helps preserve the ancient techniques that make the art effective and it will be the new traditions that help keep the martial arts in existence for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to come.
 

DOJO ETIQUETTE
  
    Dojo etiquette is another tradition which has been passed down since the days of Sakugawa Sensei. Dojo etiquette are the rules by which Karate practitioners are to conduct themselves. By having these rules, Karate as a whole, is brought up to a higher level of respect. Karate, was at one time, thought of as barbaric and brutal. Karate was something new and most people didn't understand, or have respect for it as an art. Most styles have some form of dojo etiquette. The list below are the rules by which we should try to conduct ourselves...
  
1. Always bow before entering and leaving class.
  
2. Always be respectful of your Sensei or Senpai.
  
3. If you’re late, be sure to bow in before participating with class activity.
  
4. When lining up, always respond by saying "HAI", and then QUICKLY line up by rank.
  
5. When called upon in class, always respond with "HAI" and then bow to the instructor, before and after the demonstration.
  
6. Never argue or make excuses for mistakes.
  
7. When straightening your gi, always turn around and face the back of the class.
  
8. Always try to look interested and alert.
  
9. When instructor yells "YAME",  that means that you and your partner STOP immediately.
  
10. Do not talk or be disruptive when your instructor is teaching.
  
11. When bowing to another higher rank, be sure not to look them in the eyes.
  
12. Always keep your gi clean and neat.
  
13. Never use your skills to settle disputes.
  
14. Never contradict your Senpai in front of others.
  

GENBU-KAI DOJO KUN
  

Hitosu... Rei setsu o omon zuru koto.

(Be courteous in your manner!)
  

Hitosu... Tadashii kokoro o motte seiken to suro koto.
(Have a strong sense of justice!)
  
Hitosu... Kageki naru gen do kooi o tsutsushimu koto.
(Be responsible for your words and actions!)
  
Hitosu... Ai shinje te wasuru koto.
(Respect one another!)
  
Hitosu... Kyu do no seichen o okota zaru koto.
(Karate-Do is the way of the spirit to give you courage and ambition to reach your goals as part of your life!)
  
TRADITION AND RESPECT
  

Thoughts on tradition and respect in the Dojo from A to Z...
  

Acceptance:    When someone is instructing you, you have the obligation to listen intently and just reply Hai. This means you understand. ( Or wakarimasen - I don't understand.) Don't offer excuses, or that's not the way someone else teaches it etc. If you wish to question in further detail, do so after class.
  
Attitude:     Is the key. Go in with open mind and absorb all that is good!
  
Competition:     The role and responsibility of competing.   Is an important part of training as we rise thorough the ranks to be able to answer our Kohai and to give them guidance. If we haven't competed ourselves, how can we advise others?
  
Concentration:    Keep your mind on what you are doing. We all make mistakes, but lets not make them because were not paying attention.
  
Consistency:    Should be your number one objective. Consistency will beat out talent every time. Be regular with your training schedule and your efforts will pay off in the long run.
  
Courage:    (makes heroes). Remember the story of the brown belt, competing in a very large division, who lost in the early rounds. He stayed for the entire competition to learn by watching others, while all of the competitors left after their elimination. He was the true winner.
  
Dojo:   The Dojo is your other home. It is a safe place you share with fellow students.. Treat it with the same respect you treat your own home.
  
Dojo Kun:   Loosely interrelated as Rules of the Dojo. They are not just words (that most of us recite in Japanese and really don't even think of their real meaning), but a valuable code to live by. Learn their meaning an try to live by them.
  
GI:  GIs should be washed regularly (for your own benefit as well as others).
  
Instructor (Sensei):   The instructors job is to push the student to the maximum of his/her abilities. It is the students job to monitor their own health levels. It is never the goal to injure someone.
  
Intent:   Or no intent. If you punch someone in the nose, or break a rib, it doesn't help to say, "I didn't intend to do that, sorry." No intent, was really a lack of attention. Stay focused!
  
Loyalty:  The Genbu-Kai federation is like your extended family. Loyalty to your family is as important as it gets. Treat your instructors as you would elder members of your family and the rest like your brothers and sisters.
  
Mokuso:   Meditate by clearing the mind of all outside thoughts in preparation for full concentration.
  
Obi:   The Obi (Belt) should always be treated with respect. While the color of the belt is not so important, the effort to gain the belt should be remembered and cherished!
  
Patience:   Have patience not only with others, but also with yourself. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes, so learn from it, and go on!
  
Pay back:   Not pay and go. As we progress in the martial arts, we gain the responsibility to give back that which we have learned!
  
Rank:   Does not confer privilege or power. It imposes responsibility!
  
Rei:   Bowing to show respect for the art, the dojo, the instructor, each other and for oneself. When arriving late. Stand respectfully at the door. You are essentially uninvited until summoned to come in by the instructor!
  
Rudeness:    Pointing, showing the bottom of the feet, walking in front, wearing jewelry, yawning are all considered rude!
  
Seisan:   Showing respectful appreciation for the class and the instruction given.
  
Senpai:   It is the responsibility of the Senpai to teach. The responsibility of the Kohai to appreciate the experience and knowledge being passed on! Dojo manners and traditions if not taught, cannot blame the Kohai for not observing. It is the responsibility of Senpai to educate and lead!
  
Tamashi:   Dedicated to purpose, with a strong dedicated conviction. Determination.
  
Training:   at the Dojo is a gift we give to ourselves and should be considered a precious time to savor. Most times we might be mentally tired, but not physically spent. Push yourself. Deliver the body. Getting to the dojo is most times the hardest part of training. Once you miss, it is easier to miss the next time!
  

By Senpai Jackie Long