MISSION STATEMENT (Dojo Charter)

All those who train at DO SHIN KEN YU KAI should feel safe and welcome. We must all treat each other respectfully. We all have a duty of care when in the Dojo not to harm others by our actions or omissions. This includes practicing and teaching with equipment that we know is safe to use, and also practicing and teaching in ways that will not cause injury to others.

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

DO SHIN KEN YU KAI means the friendly association for the development of the heart/mind through the vehicle of the sword. We should all try to live up to the ethos of the dojo name.

SHI TEI DO GO is an old and very important Zen saying that means the Master and student follow the same path. They are essentially equals. In the dojo the master leads the way and the novice follows directions. Everyone who trains at DO SHIN KEN YU KAI must remember that less experience does not mean less intelligent or less worthy of respect.

SEMPAI/KOHEI - In Japanese culture a Sempai is given great respect. This is a person who is further along the path than a Kohei. The role of the sempai is to ease the way for those who follow on, to smooth the path, to give effective guidance. In return the Kohei respects the Sempai's greater knowledge and more advanced skill and tries to learn from and emulate them.

In the dojo more experienced members act as Sempai. A sempai can be anyone who sits above you in the line at the start of the practice. This is not always purely based upon grade but can also be as a result of longevity of training or experience. The sensei will present a lesson and direct activities. The sempai ensure that everyone knows and understands about different phases of the training and give advice where they see areas for improvement.

GEIKO

There are three distinct types of keiko that are generally used at the end of a practice (JYU GEIKO).

HIKITATE GEIKO XE "HIKITATE GEIKO: Practice led by the senior" is a practice led by a sempai. The role of the kohei is to look for opportunities and strive to do their very best kendo. The kohei should attack frequently and in correct form.

GOKAKU GEIKO XE "GOKAKU GEIKO: Practice between equals" is practice at an equal level. Here it is most important to work on ways of opening up the opponent, to try to force a weakness before attempting techniques (Win then cut). This is a much more competitive form of keiko. It is unwise for less experienced kendoka to try this on their seniors as they are likely to get much more pressure and power in return than they are able to cope with. They are also likely to fall in to bad habits and deliver incorrect techniques

SHIAI XE "SHIAI: Match/competition" GEIKO XE "SHIAI GEIKO: Match practice" is practice for a match, with full intent.

GENERAL POINTS

There should be no excessively rough play in the Dojo.
Kihon is the place to perfect your techniques, keiko is where you test them out.
You should not use techniques in your keiko that you have not practiced thoroughly and cannot do well as there is a danger of causing injury to your opponents.
Always strike correctly and with control, and never deliberately strike your opponents off the armoured areas of the body.
Only Dan grades should use Tsuki in keiko or shiai.
Tsuki should not be used by adult men on juniors or Ladies in keiko or shiai

SPECIFIC POINTS RELATING TO NOVICES

As a Sempai:
Challenge the novices you train with to develop their skills and stamina.
Treat novices carefully and ensure that they are not overly tired or distressed in kihon or keiko.
Remember that club armour is old and does not offer the best protection.
Try to finish a practice on a positive note.
The format for keiko led by a sempai should be Hikitate geiko including, kakari or uchikomi followed by an opportunity to do Shiai geiko (Ippon Gachi) if this is appropriate. Alternatively the sempai may prefer kirikaeshi at the end of the practice.

As a novice:
It is the responsibility of the Kohei to remain alert and harmonise with the requirements of the Sempai.
If you do not understand what to do, say so. Ask for further clarification.
If you are unhappy with the way a practice is going speak to the sempai and share your concerns.
Expect to be challenged by your sempai during practices. Kendo is a martial art and contact sport. It is supposed to be physically and mentally hard.
Mental and physical distress is part of what kendo is about. Going through this distress is the only way to become competent enough to take part in practices on an even footing with more experienced fencers.
More experienced fencers and in particular high grades (Yondan and above) are likely to have been involved in very hard training themselves. They will expect you to show a strong fighting spirit and to keep going.
Follow the instructions of the sempai and strive to do your best.

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