Etiquette 

Karate training takes place in a traditional Japanese manner and karate-kas are required to observe certain rules.

Shoes are always left outside the dojo. The karate gi (uniform) must always be kept clean and should be ironed before each class. All rips or tears must be repaired immediately. The only crest permitted is the official I.S.K.F. crest.

Before entering (or leaving) class, it is necessary to bow. This is a way of paying respect to the art and to the other students. It is similar to a handshake or a military salute.

When the instructors (or a visiting instructor) enter the dojo, students must stand and bow.

Students with long hair may wear something to keep the hair tied back, but such a device must be subdued in style and colour.

Glasses, contact lens and hearing aids may be worn during training (at the wearer's risk). Some instructors will not permit students to wear glasses when sparring, but sports glasses are always permitted.

Any training injuries must be reported to the instructor at the end of class.

If you are watching a class, clinic, grading or tournament, sit quietly at the back and do not talk, eat, read or move around. Students are expected to remain throughout an event, just like a regular class. If you have to leave early, obtain permission in advance.

For aesthetic and safety reasons, all jewellery (including watches, rings, chains and earrings) must be removed before entering the dojo. For the same reasons, nails must be kept short.

Japanese culture places great emphasis on respect for one's senior. When the class commences, all students line up in order of seniority, facing the front (shomen). Students line up in one row (space permitting), from right to left, in order of rank. Within each rank, students also line up from right to left, in order of seniority.

The line should be centred behind the instructor and in front of Mr. Funakoshi's picture; students should be shoulder to shoulder. After lining up, students kneel down together (seiza). After a brief period of meditation (mokusu), to clear the mind, everyone bows to the front (shomen ni rei) and then to the instructor (sensei ni rei).

Students then stand, one at a time, from right to left, in order of seniority. This should proceed quickly and appear like a wave rolling from right to left. Formal training then commences.

During class, students should not converse with each other or ask the instructor questions. In Japanese culture, one is expected to learn by insight developed after much training, rather than from rationalization or explanation; this is very much opposite from how one learns in Western culture.

If it becomes necessary to adjust the gi, or belt, students must turn away from the front of class. Normally, this should only be done during a break in training.

It is considered very disrespectful to yawn during class, as this suggests boredom. Looking at the clock is inappropriate for the same reason.

If you arrive late, assume seiza position at the back of the dojo, until directed to join class. If you have to leave the dojo before class is over (because of another commitment, illness or injury) obtain permission from the instructor.

At the end of class, students line up and then assume seiza position. There is a brief period of meditation. Then, students recite the dojo kun (a promise made after training). The principles set out in the dojo kun are central to all karate-do training and are meant to apply both inside and outside the dojo.

Again, everyone bows to the front and to the instructor. The instructor stands first, then everyone stands, from right to left, in order of seniority. It is polite, but not required, to bow to the front before moving out of ranks.

The kiai (literally: "spirit yell") is very important to karate. It involves tensing the diaphragm and expelling air through the mouth, making a short, sharp sound. The word "kiai" is not yelled; the appropriate sound should be like: "eye", "high" or "eigh". The exact sound will vary from person to person.

The kiai occurs during basic techniques, kata and sparring. It has three purposes:

(1) to demonstrate fighting spirit;

(2) to intimidate an opponent; and,

(3) to tense the chest and stomach muscles.

Failure to make a strong kiai, at the appropriate moment, is regarded as an error.

In kata, there are generally two kiai. The placement is according to conventions set by the J.K.A. It is not really an error to add a strong kiai at some additional point, but this should be avoided in gradings and tournaments.

During basic techniques, students should always kiai on the fifth (go) and tenth (ju) techniques in each set. There should also be a kiai on the last technique of any set, when turning and when assuming any stance in preparation for a series of techniques.

During basic sparring, the kiai occurs on the last attack and on the counter-attack. In advanced sparring, the kiai occurs whenever the attacker uses a decisive technique. No attack is regarded as strong, or decisive, without the kiai.

A strong kiai can intimidate an opponent and create an opening to attack. It can also be used to cause an opponent to flinch or step back, when used prior to the actual attack.

It is said that a strong kiai can even be used to stun or intimidate an opponent, preventing an attack. At one time, there was even a martial art known as kiai-jutsu, which focused primarily on the use of the kiai (successful application would require a truly exceptional fighting spirit).

Finally, the kiai helps increase the power of an attack by tensing the appropriate muscles. And, it helps to absorb an attack, by expelling air; this makes the chest and stomach firmer and less susceptible to having "the wind knocked out".

The ISKF Crest

The emblem of the J.K.A. is the In-Yo symbol, a small circle inside a larger circle. The small circle is red, representing the sun. The In-Yo symbol has essentially the same as the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol; it represents a balance between opposing forces (and is sometimes said to represent "nature").

The I.S.K.F. crest superimposes the Shotokan tiger on the red circle of the J.K.A. In-Yo symbol.

The Shotokan tiger originates from mountain in Okinawa known as Mount Torao (meaning "Tiger's Tail"), where Funakoshi heard the wind through the pines as he took evening walks. The 28th annual East Coast Shotokan Karate Championships Tournament Guide describes the tiger as a:

... traditional Chinese design which implies that "the tiger never sleeps". Symbolized in the Shotokan tiger therefore is the keen alertness of the wakeful tiger and the serenity of the peaceful mind which Master Funakoshi experienced while listening to the pine waves on Tiger's Tail Mountain.

The crest must be sewn on the left side of the gi, a little above chest height.

It should be apparent that karate techniques may be used only in dire circumstances. Ideally, a karate-ka will match the level of force used in an attack, but an attack may involve an attempt to cause death or serious injury.

Karate-ka are justified in using their art only in appropriate circumstances, such as:

A. Self-defense against an unprovoked attack (especially if the attack seems intended to cause death or serious injury);

B. Defense of another person (such as a family member, especially if the attack seems intended to cause death or serious injury;

C. Acting in support of law and order (especially in serious situations, where death or serious injury seems imminent).

Karate-kas are expected to exercise self-restraint and self-control at all times; and, to recognize and avoid dangerous situations. It is essential that karate-ka use good judgement and avoid placing themselves in situations where the use force is required, even in self-defence. Be aware that any use of force carries the risk of criminal prosecution.

In many cases, both the police, and the courts, are unsympathetic about the use of force. This is particularly true if an incident occurs at night, in a bar or involves alcohol. Some judges do not believe the use of force is ever appropriate and some equate the use of martial arts techniques with using a weapon.

It must also be emphasized that Gichin Funakoshi believed the average person would probably never be called upon to use karate techniques, and certainly never more than once or twice in a lifetime.

For these reasons, it can be seen that actual use of karate is very serious. Karate-ka must be aware of the proverb: when two tigers fight, one will be killed and the other will be gravely wounded.