Information

The Japanese put a great deal of emphasis on proper form and manners as a matter of course because of the heirarchical nature of their social structure. It is important to show proper respect and acknowledgement to those who are senior in both age and position in life. Being that karate comes from Japan, it is obvious that this martial art will also put matters of etiquette in the forefront.

The second important reason for etiquette is that karate is designed for defense with a great posibility of hurting another person. This can be a very dangerous art to follow: with great power and knowledge comes great responsibility, this more so for the karate-ka than for the average person. Proper etiquette teaches discipline and a good karate-ka must always be cool and in control.

Dojo etiquette is reflected in all aspects of karate in how students should speak to their seniors (Terms of Address) to how they dress (Karate Uniform). They learn discipline and respect by conducting themselves in proper Dojo Behavior and participating in the regular recitation of the Dojo Kun.

Addressing Your Sensei and Your Seniors:

Kancho. This is a title for a black belt who is the head of his own organization, not affiliated with any other organizations. Effective 1/1/09, Chief instructor Paul Imada holds this title, and you may refer to him as Imada Kancho.

Sensei.This title means “teacher.” Sherine Nohara is currently the only person who holds this title, you may refer to her as Sensei Sherine.

Sempai. Regardless of age, all black and brown belts are sempai (seniors). You may refer to them as "Sempai (First Name)."

Addressing Sensei. You must stand and quietly face your sensei while he is speaking to you. If you happen to be doing something else or you are sitting down, stop what you're doing, stand and face sensei until the conversation is completed.

It is important to be as neat and presentable as possible. The most visible show of respect and pride for yourself and your school is the karate uniform.

		The Gi. Keep your gi (karate uniform) white and clean; you can machine wash and hang dry (a dryer will damage the stitching). If necessary, hem sleeves and pants legs that are too long. Rolled up cuffs are not acceptable. Clothes worn under the gi should be light colored, and shirts must be tucked into the gi pants. Belts must be properly tied. Presentation. Be as presentable as possible. Even during practice, always take a few seconds to retie your belt and straighten your gi. To do this properly, from wherever you're standing, turn around (face towards the back) and fix your gi. Be sure to do this only when there's a normal break during the instruction. Once you're finished, quickly turn around to face forward.
School Patches. Everyone who is a blue belt (9th kyu) and higher should wear a black school patch. To affix the patch, put on the gi top, then pin the patch on to see it properly positioned on the left chest. Students who are brown (3rd kyu) and up may wear two school patches: the black patch on the left sleeve and the kanji patch on the left chest. All patches are at additional cost of $5.00 each.
Black SKC School Patch		SKC Kanji Patch for sempai

Each school may differ on how strict they are about dojo behavior, but these are the general rules for SKC:

		Entering/Exiting the dojo. Everyone (including moms and dads!) entering and exiting the dojo must show respect. First, stop at the doorway facing inward, bow once then step in. The direction of your bow is the same for both entering and exiting the dojo.
Be Punctual. Class will always begin with a formal line up of all students and sensei, bowing to show respect to their place of training, sensei, and to each other. Be on time as much as possible, but if you are late, you must ask permission to join the class (see "Re-entering Class" below). During Class. Take care of all your business (ie, use the restroom etc) BEFORE class begins. Once everyone lines up, no one may leave or enter the class without Imada Kancho's permission. Show your courtesy to your fellow students by not disrupting the class as much as possible. Leaving Class. If you must leave, wait for a break in the instruction, raise your hand and ask for permission to leave the class. Do not interrupt while Sensei is talking or drilling the class. Re-entering Class. Sit on the side in seiza (on your knees) with your hand raised; once Sensei acknowledges you to rejoin the class, bow from your seated position first, then join the class in your proper place in line. If you are late, stand at the end of the line of those of your same rank.

The sitting bow. The normal way of sitting in karate is called seiza where you are sitting with your legs tucked under you. It may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but since we don’t remain in this position for very long, most students get used to it. Any time you remain in seiza, you must sit with your back straight (as in Step 3 below) and your feet are flat on the floor. The only part of the feet that cross is your big toe with your left big toe sitting on the right. Do not fidget.		Step 1. Stand in shizen-tai (natural stance) with arms to your side.		Step 2. Bend your left knee down first.
Step 3. Tuck both legs under you. Keep your back straight and rest your hands on your thighs.		Step 4. To bow, touch left hand to the floor.		Step 5. Touch your right hand down, fingers together and pointed toward each other.

The standing bow. From shizen-tai (natural stance), step in with your right foot and put your hands to your sides while you bow. As you are coming up from the bow, cross your arms at your wrists with hands in fists, uncross and your right foot will step out back into shizen-tai.

Dojo Mindset. Always be alert and attentive. Especially during kumite (sparring), horse-play or goofing around is not allowed. We do not want anyone to get hurt so everyone must take their training seriously.

Every class session is open and closed by a formal gathering of the sensei and all the students. This is to pay respect to the father of modern karate (Funakoshi Gichin), to our sensei, and to each other. In Japanese, this is called seiritsu.

Everyone will stand facing forward, aligning their right shoulder to the person on their right to form a straight line. Everyone should be standing shoulder to shoulder, leaving no big gaps in between.

The line is by hierarchy: highest ranking to the right and lowest ranking to the left. For those who are the same rank, the student who joined SKC earlier is the “higher rank.” For those who joined at the same time, it goes by age with the oldest to the right.

The highest ranked person in the class that day will lead the students in seiritsu. After everyone lines up, wait until Sensei sits, then in a loud voice, say the words in the leftmost column:

	Words:	Meaning:	Action:
Start of Class	*Seiza!*	Sit down	Sit on your knees
	*Mokuso!*	Meditation	Close your eyes (take at least 3 deep breaths before continuing)
	*Mokuso Yame*	End meditation	Open your eyes
	*Shoumen ni Rei!*	Bow forward	Bow facing forward (WAIT until Sensei turns around)
	*Sensei ni Rei!*	Bow to Sensei	Bow to your Chief Instructor

	Words:	Meaning:	Action:
End of Class	*Seiza!*	Sit down	Sit on your knees
	*Mokuso!*	Meditation	Close your eyes (take at least 5 deep breaths before continuing)
	Dojo kun! Seek Perfection of Character Be Faithful Endeavor Respect Others Refrain from Violent Behavior	(See below)	(allow the class to repeat each phrase after you)
		(take at least 3 deep breaths before continuing)
	*Mokuso Yame*	End meditation	Open your eyes
	*Shoumen ni Rei!*	Bow forward	Bow facing forward (WAIT until Sensei turns around)
	*Sensei ni Rei!*	Bow to Sensei	Bow to your Chief Instructor

The formality here serves yet another purpose. All the things in our lives tend to intertwine, but not here in the dojo. To help attain focus, the formal start of class and mokuso (meditation) helps the student to leave everything else outside.For this short period, there is nothing but karate. Take deep breaths and prepare to work hard and learn much.

At the end of class, we must now end karate and go back into "real life." We just had an hour of hard aggressive behavior so we want to physically and mentally cool down. The students will mokuso for a slightly longer time here, take deep cleansing breaths, and calm themselves down to re-enter the "real world" again.

The dojo kun is a set of principles that is repeated at the end of every class session to remind our students of the goals we are really set to achieve, cultivating good character.

Seek Perfection of Character
	人格完成努むること
	Jinkaku Kansei Tsutomuru koto
	No one can ever be perfect, but we can always improve ourselves. What is Good Character? Being Dependable, Trustworthy, Confident. Don’t just focus on the physical side of the karate, focus also on your Good Character.
Be Faithful
	誠の道を守ること
	Makoto no Michi wo Mamoru koto
	Stay true to the path that’s been laid out for you: the words, the teaching, the training. The only way to achieve a high level of skill and knowledge is through diligent and determined practice.
Endeavor
	努力の精神を養うこと
	Doryoku no Seishin wo Yashinau koto
	No matter how hard things are, how tired or lazy you feel, Always do your Best! Struggling through difficulties, learning and solving your problems – this is how you build a great Winning Attitude! Never Ever Give Up!
Respect Others
	礼儀を重んずること
	Reigi wo Omonzuru koto
	Always show respect to your sensei and sempai by paying attention, learning from their teaching, and answering with a loud “Osu!” Outside the dojo, “Respect Others” also means showing calm courtesy to those around you. This courtesy you show can possibly save you and others from a bad situation.
Refrain from Violent Behavior
	血気の勇を戒むること
	Kekki no Yu wo Imashimuru koto
	Knowing how to punch and kick doesn’t mean it’s okay for us to do it whenever we feel like it. We should be even more careful because with our knowledge and training, we can seriously hurt others. Always keep a cool head and look for a peaceful way to solve a dispute.

You may see different colors in other schools because the actual colors aren't very important, it's really the -kyu rankings that are important. Originally, there were only 2 colors: black and white. As karate was introduced to the general public and the schools, it became more standardized and ranking was necessary for visible progress more than anything else.

The ranks are listed from highest to the lowest. The colors that SKC uses are indicated in the far right column.

*Judan*	10th Degree	Black Belt
*Kyudan*	9th Degree	Black Belt
*Hachidan*	8th Degree	Black Belt
*Nanadan*	7th Degree	Black Belt
*Rokudan*	6th Degree	Black Belt
*Godan*	5th Degree	Black Belt
*Yondan*	4th Degree	Black Belt
*Sandan*	3rd Degree	Black Belt
*Nidan*	2nd Degree	Black Belt
*Shodan*	1st Degree	Black Belt

*Ikkyu*	1st level	1st Brown Belt
*Nikyu*	2nd level	2nd Brown Belt
*Sankyu*	3rd level	3rd Brown Belt
*Yonkyu*	4th level	2nd Purple Belt
*Gokyu*	5th level	1st Purple Belt
*Rokkyu*	6th level	2nd Green Belt
*Nanakyu*	7th level	1st Green Belt
*Hakkyu*	8th level	2nd Blue Belt
*Kukyu*	9th level	1st Blue Belt
*Jukkyu*	10th level	White Belt

The -kyu ranking is merely the path to their first -dan ranking, their first black. A new student will start at white belt and work their way up through the ranks by taking exams (See Exams). The required waiting time between exams is approximately 3 months, with the exception of 1st brown to 1st degree black.

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The required waiting time between 1st brown to 1st degree black is minimum 6 months. It may be longer depending on the readiness of the student. What is SKC looking for? Firstly, we are look for the obvious thing like technique: stances, proper form, snap, speed, and stamina. But if being a black was only about techniques, anyone could be a black.

The minimum 6-month waiting period is set for a purpose: SKC wishes to see the student in training. To a certain extent, you could say this waiting period is more important than the actual exam. Although all browns are considered advanced students, 1st brown is the highest of the colored ranking and a lot is expected. We want to see enthusiasm during training, always working at 110% energy level. The student needs to have a good attitude about taking instruction and correcting mistakes, so there should be a very visible show of consistent progress and improvement. The advanced class should be attended twice a week.

Being a black belt is of course about technique, but as you can see, it’s more than that. Hmm, do these requirements sound familiar? It’s being the epitome of the principles outlined in the dojo kun.

If you are 18 years and older, as a black belt, you will have the opportunity to train in the advanced black belt program (See Black Belt) which involves learning basic boxing, Muay Thai, and grappling. Please see Imada Kancho if you are interested.

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These are the standard 26 kata in Shotokan karate as established by JKA (Japan Karate Association). Kata is a set sequence of techniques that incorporate punches, kicks, blocks, turning, shifting, stepping, twisting, sweeps, throws, straight and turning jumps, and dropping to the ground. Once the karate-ka has the sequence memorized, they should practice each kata as if they were attacking and blocking a real opponent, working on applying proper speed, power, and snap. A single kata can be continually perfected for years, especially the advanced level kata.

Heian Shodan	平安初段	Peaceful Mind 1
Heian Nidan	平安二段	Peaceful Mind 2
Heian Sandan	平安三段	Peaceful Mind 3
Heian Yondan	平安四段	Peaceful Mind 4
Heian Godan	平安五段	Peaceful Mind 5

Tekki Shodan	鉄騎初段	Iron Horse 1
Tekki Nidan	鉄騎二段	Iron Horse 2
Tekki Sandan	鉄騎三段	Iron Horse 3

Bassai-dai	披塞大	Breaking the Fortress (Major)
Kanku-dai	観空大	Looking at the sky (Major)
Jion	慈恩	Jion (name of a Chinese temple)
Empi	燕飛	Flying Swallow
Jitte	十手	10 Hands
Hangetsu	半月	Half Moon
Gankaku	岩鶴	Crane on Rock

Nijushiho	二十四步	24-Steps
Chinte	珍手	Unusual Hands
Sochin	壯鎭	Tranquil Force
Meikyo	明鏡	Bright Mirror
Unsu	雲手	Cloud Hands
Bassai-sho	披塞小	Breaking the Fortress (Minor)
Kanku-sho	観空小	Looking at the Sky (Minor)
Wankan	王冠	King's Crown
Gojushiho-sho	五十四歩小	54-Steps (Major)
Gojushiho-dai	五十四歩大	54-Steps (Minor)
Ji'in	慈陰	Love of Truth

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SKC has added to its repertoire 4 weapons kata and 2 Tsumuji kata created by Imada Kancho (listed at the end).

Sakugawa no kon		Staff Kata
Boh 1		Staff Kata
Tongfa 1		Tongfa Kata
Nunchaku 1		Nunchaku Kata

Asai Ike no Tsuru	浅い池の鶴	Crane over Shallow Pond
Tsumuji	颯	Whirlwind

The student is introduced to sparring in a set series of "fighting" forms involving 2 students facing each other. The attacks and blocks are simple with only a single attack going forward, and a simple block/punch combination in defense. The Attacker will move forward on the attack either 5, 3, or 1 steps, and the Defender facing him moves backward in an equal amount of steps, blocking each attack. Here the student begins to learn about accuracy, timing, and fighting distance.

	Gohon Kumite		5-step sparring
	Sambon Kumite		3-step sparring
	Kihon Ippon		Basic 1-step sparring
	Jiyuu Ippon		Free 1-step sparring

This is an advanced level of set sparring created by Imada Kancho which incorporates a series of advanced combinations. Where the basic set sparring moved in 1-5 steps, Renzoku has anywhere between 14 and 48 steps moving forward and back. This furthers the students’ understanding of speed, timing, and rhythm.

	Renzoku Shodan		Continuous Sparring 1
	Renzoku Nidan		Continuous Sparring 2
	Renzoku Sandan		Continuous Sparring 3

Kumibo is set sparring involving a 5-foot or 6-foot staff. Depending on the thickness of the staff, working with the weight of the staff can develop strong hands, arms, and chest muscles.

	Kumibo Shodan		Staff Sparring 1
	Kumibo Nidan		Staff Sparring 2

The last style of kumite is Jiyuu Kumite, Free Style Sparring, allowing each student to attack and block using whatever they want. The set sparring is limited to moving in a straight line forward and back, but in free style, students are allowed to move however necessary to employ their attacks and defenses. Students are encouraged to use their advanced combinations or any new technique that Imada Kancho teaches so that they can learn how to apply their techniques on a live opponent. Here they sharpen reflexes, learn to read their opponent, and figure out their fighting range. Since safety can be an issue, students are required to wear fist protectors and are told to control as best as possible and hit sandome (1 inch off the gi).

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The Niju kun, or The Twenty Precepts, was written by Gichin Funakoshi, the official "Father of Modern Karate". These concepts form the foundation of Shotokan karate.

Never forget, karate begins and ends with respect.
There is no first attack in karate.
Karate supports righteousness.
First understand yourself, then understand others.
The art of developing the mind is more important than the art of apply technique.
The mind needs to be freed.
Trouble is born of negligence and ignorance.
Do not think karate belongs only in the dojo.
Karate training requires a lifetime.
Transform everything into karate; therein lies its exquisiteness.
Karate is like hot water, if you do not give it heat constantly, it will again become cold water.
Do not think that you have to win, rather think you do not have to lose.
Transform yourself according to the opponent.
The outcome of the fight depends on one’s control.
Imagine one’s arms and legs as swords.
Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies.
Postures are for the beginner, later they are natural positions.
Perform the kata correctly; the real fight is a different matter.
Do not forget control of the dynamics of power, the elasticity of the body and the speed of the technique.
Apply the Way of Karate to all things. Therein lay its beauty.

Age-uke		Rising Block
boh		6-foot staff
-dachi		stance
-dan		Black belt ranking
Dojo		Training Hall
Dojo-kun		5 Precepts
Empi-uchi		Elbow strike
Gedan-barai		Down Block
Gedan-kake-uke		Downward hooking block
-geri		Kick
Gi		Karate uniform
Gohon Kumite		Basic 5-step sparring
Gyaku-zuki		Reverse Punch
Hajime		Begin, Start
Hangetsu-dachi		Half Moon Stance
Hidari		Left
Ippon Kumite		Basic 1-step sparring
Jiyuu Ippon Kumite		Free 1-step sparring
Jiyuu Kumite		Free style sparring
joodan		Jaw level
Kamae		Position or Pose
Karate		Literally: “Empty Hand”
Karate-ka		Someone who practices karate
Kata		Forms with a set sequence of blocks and strikes
Kiai		The "karate yell," spirit
Kiba-dachi		Horse Stance
Kookutsu-dachi		Back Stance
Kumite		Sparring
Kumite-kamae		Fighting Pose
-kyu		Colored belt ranking
Mae-geri		Front Snap Kick
Makiwara		Japanese punching board
Mawashi-geri		Roundhouse Kick
Mawatte		Turn Around
Migi		Right
Mikazuki-geri		Crescent Kick
Mokuso		Meditation
Morote-uke		Double Block
Musubi-dachi		Standing with heels touching
Naote		Bow
Neko-ashi-dachi		Cat Stance
Ni-geri		Two kicks with the same leg
Nuki-te		Spear Hand Strike
Obi		Karate belt
Oi-zuki		Lunge Punch
Osu		Yes
Otagai		Opponent; partner; the other person
Rei		Bow
Ren-geri		Alternating kicks
-ryu		Style
Seiza		Sitting on your knees
Sanbon Kumite		3-step sparring
Sanchin-dachi		Hourglass Stance
Sempai		Senior Member
Sensei		Teacher
Shizen-tai		Natural Stance
Shutoo-uke		Knife Hand Block
Sokumen-uke		Side Block
Soto-uke		Outside Stomach Block
Sun-dome		1 inch off the gi
Tate-zuki		Stationary Punching
Uchi-uke		Inside Stomach Block
-uke		Block
Ura-ken		Back Hand Strike
Ushiro-geri		Back Kick
Yama-zuki		Wide U punch
Yame		Stop (return to “yooi” position)
Yooi		Ready Position
Yoko		Side
Yoko-keage-geri		Side Snap Kick
Yoko-kekomi-geri		Side Thrust Kick
Yori-ashi		Sliding the feet; shifting
Zenkutsu-dachi		Stance, front

Counting:

Ichi		One
Ni		Two
San		Three
Shi		Four
Go		Five
Roku		Six
Shichi		Seven
Hachi		Eight
Ku		Nine
Jyu		Ten