You have been in the dojo for a few times but never know where to stand when is time to start. Well that's easy: All DESHI (students ) line up in order of rank, with the highest rank on the right, facing forward. Got it? That's great!
Starting of a KArate class can be confusing for the beginner but with my help you will be fine and know exactly what to do, read on:
When you enter the dojo you should bow to the front of the dojo (Kamiza,or high place).
-The Sensei or senior student will call for a line up, sometimes you will ear clapping or a shout.
- All students line up
Some dojos may have a separated line for black belts normally to the right of the Kamiza
The sensei will then turn to the Kamiza and kneel
- At this point the senior KYU student will call "seiza"(sit) and all students will kneel in order of rank.
- Sempai (senior KYU student) calls Mokuso (you should close you eyes and meditate, prepare yourself for the training section)
- Sempai calls Mokuso Yame, this means end of meditation (you can now open your eyes)
- Sempai calls shomen-ni-rei (bow to the Kamiza as form of respect for the Masters of Karate), this is done in silence and you should place your left hand flat on the floor in front of you with all finger closed together and the thumb making a "L" shape, next place the right hand next to it in the same fashion creating a triangular shape, the forehead rests on the triangular shape.
-Sensei will now turn to face the class
- Sempai calls sensei-ni-rei (bow to the teacher), you should bow as previous step adding "oss" when bending down.
- Sensei now raises and the class can begin
(please note this is the method used in our school, there are many other schools where other components may be used in this ceremony, both opening and closing the training session EX: dojo kun, bow to each other, etc...)
