Seibukan Etiquette

To benefit from and enjoy your training in Seibukan Jujutsu, to create an atmosphere of mutual respect among students and teachers, and to insure the safety of all who train, there are certain rules of etiquette that are followed in the Seibukan dojo:

1. When entering and leaving the dojo, it is proper to execute one tachi-rei (standing bow) toward the shomen (front wall of the dojo with the logo and flowers). Likewise, when one enters onto the mat or leaves the mat, one tachi-rei is done facing the mat. This is a tradition of showing respect to the art, the dojo, the teacher, and to oneself.
    
2. Students should assemble quietly at least three minutes before the class is scheduled to begin. When class is to begin or end, the Sensei (instructor) or Sempai (senior student) will clap twice, which is a sign to line up and pay attention. When beginning or ending a class, students will line up in seniority facing the shomen. The seniority runs from right to left as you face the shomen, with the highest in seniority farthest to the right. The instructor will call for meditation (mokuso). This meditation is a way of clearing and calming the mind, and preparing the body to be present during class. The instructor will then take his position in front and everyone will perform two suware-rei (kneeling bow) to the shomen, clap twice in unison with the instructor, and once more, bow to the front. The instructor will then turn around and face the class. Once again, one suware-rei will be exchanged and we all say Onegai Shimas. The same procedure is repeated at the end of the class, and at this time the students will say Domo Arrogato Gozai Mashita (thank you very much for the class). After the instructor has bowed and left the mat, the class will perform one suware-rei to the shomen. The two students at each end will then move forward slightly, forming the line into a semi-circle, and the students will perform one final suware-rei to each other, expressing thanks for sharing the training, before leaving the mat. The two claps at the beginning of class symbolize the power and energy of any two of the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind. The claps at the end of class complete the other two elements, creating a balance in training.
    
3. Before and after training with a partner, each student should express thanks with a bow. This also should be done after receiving instruction or assistance.
    
4. All students are required to wear the traditional white gi (uniform), always clean, and free of writing and symbols, with the exception of the Seibukan Jujutsu patch. The Seibukan Jujutsu patch is to be worn on the left side of the chest area on the gi top. If a shirt is worn under the gi, it should be black. Kyu level students may have their first name written in Katakana or Kanji on one side of their belts and the three Kanji characters of Seibukan on the other side. The color of the writing must be black. Yudansha up to Yondan, same as above except the writing is gold embroidery. Students, Godan and above, the writing should be in silver with the five characters of Seibukan Jujutsu on one side and their last name on the other side.
    
5. Shoes are to be removed and placed neatly on the shoe shelves. SHOES ARE NEVER WORN ON THE MAT. Students should be sure that hands and feet are clean before stepping on the mat.
    
6. Students themselves should be clean. Fingernails and toenails should be trimmed short. No jewelry (except wedding rings) or sharp objects should be worn on the mat.
    
7. It is the responsibility and privilege of each student to keep the dojo clean and orderly at all times. Before or after class, dusting, checking the bathroom and cleaning when necessary is to be performed. Garbage should be collected and emptied when full. Ten minutes before classes begin, students should start dusting, sweeping the mat, and getting the dojo ready for class. The mat must be swept before and after each training session. After the last class, it is expected that the front and back carpets are vacuumed.
    
8. Students should be on time for class (preferably early). If a student for some reason should arrive late, he or she should change clothes, sit in seiza by the side of the mat, perform the opening bow to the shomen, and wait until the instructor recognizes his presence and summons the student to joint he class.
    
9. During class, the chief instructor should be addressed as Sensei. The black belt instructors should be addressed as Sempai. Address all guest instructors as Sensei.
    
10. If a students needs to leave early, it is proper to ask the instructor's permission before the class begins.
     
11. When an instructor is about to demonstrate or introduce a technique, he will clap once. This is a sign for all to line up in seiza (kneeling) posture and pay attention. At the conclusion of the demonstration, the instructors and students will exchange rei.
     
12. During instruction or demonstrations, students never should sit on the mat with their backs to the shomen, nor should they pass between the instructor and the shomen or lean against the wall.
     
13. When straightening the uniform, whether before, during, or after class, it is considered respectful to discreetly turn one's back to the shomen or instructor while doing so.
     
14. Each student should be aware of the ability of his or her partner during training, so that no injuries occur.
     
15. It is traditional to bring flowers and perform misogi prior to any rank demonstration.

 

"In Seibukan Jujutsu, the quality of each one of us and the expression of the art, is a reflection of our attitude. Our excellence is demonstrated by our motivation and teamwork."

Julio Toribio - Shihan