The Dojo
A dojo is a Japanese term which literally
means "place of the way". Initially, dojo
were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal
training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically
it is considered the formal gathering place for students
of any Japanese martial arts style to conduct training,
examinations and other related encounters.
A proper Japanese martial arts dojo is considered special
and is well cared for by its users. Shoes are not worn
in a dojo. In many styles it is traditional to conduct
a ritual cleaning of the dojo at the end of each training
session (called soji, which translates from Japanese
as "cleaning"). Besides the obvious hygienic
benefits of regular cleaning it also serves to reinforce
the fact that dojo are supposed to be supported and
managed by the student body, not the school's instructional
staff. This attitude has become lost in many modern,
commercial dojo that are founded and run by a small
group of people or instructors. In fact, it is not uncommon
that in traditional schools (koryu), dojo are rarely
used for training at all, instead being reserved for
more symbolic or formal occasions. The actual training
is conducted typically outdoors or in a less formal
area.
Many traditional dojo follow a prescribed
pattern with shomen ("front") and various
entrances that are used based on student and instructor
rank laid out precisely. Typically students will enter
in the lower-left corner of the dojo (in reference to
the shomen) with instructors in the upper right corner.
Shomen typically contains kamidana—an area for
a Shinto shrine and other artifacts. The term kamiza
is frequently confused by martial arts practitioners
with the Kamidana. Many other artifacts may be displayed
throughout the dojo, such as kanban that authorize the
school in a style or strategy, and items such as taiko
drums or armor (yoroi). It is not uncommon to find the
name of the dojo and the dojo kun (roughly "dojo
rules") displayed prominently at shomen as well.
Visitors also typically have a special place reserved,
depending on their rank and station. Weapons and other
training gear will normally be found on the back wall.
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