In between the warmup period and the beginning of training and, at the conclusion of each training there will be a short bowing ceremony. Before and during each of these ceremonies the dojo steward of the day will call out a number of instructions as follows:
Before Training:
|
seiretsu |
Line up. The class will form a line in grade order, starting with the highest ranked on sensei's left. If there is insufficient space for all students to fit in one line the beginners should form a second line, starting about two metres directly behind the highest ranked kendoka. |
chakuza |
Be seated (in seiza). |
ki o tsuke |
A call to attention, be ready. |
mokuso |
A brief period of meditation. |
mokuso yame
(or a clap) |
End of meditation. |
joseki ni rei |
Bow to the kamiza, (the calligraphy in front of the wall to sensei's left). |
sensei ni rei |
Bow to sensei, say "onegaishimasu". If no sensei is present then the bow will be "shomen ni rei" - bow to the front of the dojo. |
men tsuke |
Put on your men, (and your kote). |
|
After Training:
|
seiretsu |
Line up. |
chakuza |
Be seated (in seiza). |
men tore |
Remove your men (and kote). |
ki o tsuke |
A call to attention, be ready. |
mokuso |
A brief period of meditation. |
mokuso yame
(or a clap) |
End of meditation. |
sensei ni rei |
Bow to sensei. |
jo seki ni rei |
Bow to the kamiza. |
otagai ni rei |
Bow first to sensei and then to the kendoka directly to your left and right, say "domo arigato gozaimashita" on each occassion. |
