Etiquette (Rei)

Courtesy & Respect

One distinctive feature of kobudo, especially for westerers who may be unfamiliar with Japanese culture, is the elaborate system of social etiquette (or rei) that pervades the arts. "Rei" is a general term that includes both "rei-ho," abstract or conceptual notions of courtesy and respect, and "rei-gi," concrete actions to display or demonstrate courtesy or respect. The importance of rei in our organization (Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation) cannot be overemphasized: in Grandmaster Tanemura's martial art systems, having and displaying proper respect for others is given equal weight to technical ability. This is all the more striking when one realizes that everything we do in the dojo is meant to prepare us for life-and-death encounters outside of the dojo. Therefore, rei effectively lends a certain moral quality to what we do, and self-defense without it is considered mere violence, something to be eschewed.

What this means in practical terms is that, during kobudo training, students perform a number of rituals meant to convey respect. For example, before beginning and after completing every technique, training partners bow to each other. Sometimes words accompany this bow, sometimes the bow is done silently. However, students always should use this bow to convey to self and others that something serious is taking place. Similarly, one bows when entering and before exiting the training area. In this case the bow is directed to a central focal point in the training area, usually a special scroll, but implicit in this action is the intention to show respect to everyone in the training area. Finally, before starting class and at the end of training, the instructor will lead all the students in a very formal bowing ceremony. These and other rituals are more than a carry-over from the past. They serve to remind us that what we are doing is very serious, that we must have proper respect for our self and our training partners, and that we must remain humble before those who have already traveled the road we hope to travel (the teacher and higher ranking students) and especially before God, the ultimate source of our power.

Dojo Rules

In old Japan, it was considered a privilege to study with a particular master, and not everyone who wanted to learn from a particular master was accepted as his or her student. Martial art knowledge was carefully guarded, and each level of advancement implied the deepening of a trust relationship. As trust between master and student increased, so too the amount of information that could be shared with the student, the ultimate goal being full transmission of a martial tradition (ryu-ha).

To provide new students with basic behavioral expectations, it was customary for masters to establish rules of conduct for students. In keeping with this tradition, the following rules govern all Kobudo Club training events:

Students must be physically and mentally prepared to participate in training. If there is any question about someone's physical preparedness, a doctor's note may be required by an instructor or the club's Executive Committee. Students must notify their instructor of any physical problems before beginning training.
Students must show proper respect when addressing or responding to their instructor (i.e. Yes, Sensei! or No, Sensei!), and get permission from their instructor before engaging in any activity while in the training area. Also, students must show courtesy and respect for each other, using the appropriate signs of respect (bowing, etc.).
Students must keep the training area clean and uncluttered. No shoes or sandals are to be worn on the training mat area.
Students must keep their nails trimmed, hair (if long) braided or tied back, and training uniform clean. Students should not wear any jewelry during training.
Students may never practice or demonstrate any techniques on nonmembers.