Dōjō kun

Generally credited to Gichin Funakoshi (but rumoured to have been created by Kanga Sakukawa, an 18th-century Okinawan karate proponent) the Shotokan Karate dojo kun serves as a set of five guiding principles, recited at the end of each training session in most styles, intended to frame the practice within an ethical context.[6]

The five rules are:[7]

一、人格 完成に 努める こと

hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto

jinkaku = personality, kansei = complete (perfect), ni = to, tsutomeru = endeavour

一、誠の道を守ること

hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto

makoto = truth, no = 's, michi = path, wo = with respect to that, mamoru = defend

一、努力の精神を養うこと

hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto

doryoku = effort, no = ’s, seishin = spirit, wo = with respect to that, yashinau = cultivate

一、礼儀を重んずること

hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto

reigi = courtesy, wo = with respect to that, omonzuru = honour

一、血気の勇を戒むること

hitotsu, kekki no yū wo imashimuru koto

kekki = vigor (impetuousness), no = of, yu = courage, wo = with respect to that, imashimuru = refrain

The word Hitotsu means "one" or "first" and is prepended to each rule to place it at the same level of importance as the others. The word koto which ends each rule means "thing" and is used as a conjunction between rules. Also, the Japanese no indicates possessiveness and is equivalent to the English 's e.g. doryoku no seishin = effort's spirit = the spirit of effort. wo (and wa) is used to indicate that the preceding element is the subject of the sentence e.g. X wo Y = with respect to X, Y. Finally, the word imashimuru seems archaic, however, it contains the radical 戒 that means admonition and is usually translated as refrain.

Depending on your variant of Goju Ryu there are alternative Dojo Kun.

For the Okinawan Goju Ryu of Eiichi_Miyazato or Teruo Chinen, as published on the walls of their dojo, the Dojo Kun consists of eight rules and are (in English) as follows:[8]

• Hitotsu: Be humble and polite.
• Hitotsu: Train considering your physical strength
• Hitotsu: Practice earnestly with creativity.
• Hitotsu: Be calm and swift.
• Hitotsu: Take care of your health.
• Hitotsu: Live a plain life.
• Hitotsu: Do not be too proud or modest.
• Hitotsu: Continue your training with patience.

The translation above is from Teruo Chinen's dojo, the Miyazato version is slightly different. [9]

For other variants, including IOGKF, there are six rules and are (in English) as follows:[10]

• Hitotsu: Respect others.
• Hitotsu: Be courageous.
• Hitotsu: Train your mind and body.
• Hitotsu: Practice daily and protect traditional karate-do.
• Hitotsu: Strive to reach the essence of Goju Ryu.
• Hitotsu: Never give up.

The dojo kun Ryu-te are, in Japanese, the same as those used in Shotokan. The English translation used is as follows:

• Strive for good moral character.
• Keep an honest and sincere way.
• Cultivate perseverance through a will for striving.
• Develop a respectful attitude.
• Restrain physical aggression through spiritual attainment.

In Bushido the Dojo Kun consists of five rules and are (in English) as follows:

• Loyalty is the essential duty of the soldier.
• Courage is essential since the trait of the fighting man is his spirit to win.
• Valor is a trait to be admired and encouraged in the modern warrior.
• Faithfulness in keeping one's word.
• Simplicity is a samurai virtue.

In Budōkan Karate the Dojo Kun consists of four rules and are (in English) as follows:

• Show courtesy, respect and honesty towards others.
• Develop confidence through knowledge, honesty and strength.
• Never use violence for personal gain.
• Seek perfection of character.

Dojo Kun from the founder of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karate, Kaiso Dr. Kori Hisataka, are:

• Maintain propriety, etiquette, dignity and grace
• Gain self-understanding by tasting the true meaning of combat
• Search for pure principle of being: truth, justice, beauty
• Exercise a positive personality, that is to say: confidence, courage and determination
• Always seek to develop the character further, aiming towards perfection and complete harmony with creation.

The Shotokan Dojo Kun was derived from Gichin Funakoshi's The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate, or niju kun, by JKA officials.[11] It is used by many as a condensed form of Sensei Funakoshi's 20 precepts.

(the below is someone's opinion. The obvious omission of anything relating to physical practice indicates it is not totally honest): In Shotokan or any other styles, the main purpose of learning karate is

• to practice courtesy
• be able to speak out (Increase self-confidence)
• train focus to reach objectives
• train guidance ability
• train resistance against pressure
• train speaking ability
• train spirit of strive
• train harmony characteristic
• success or failure is not important

(the below is also someone's opinion): The three most important spirits in dojo are:

• say yes to obey
• say thanks to appreciate
• say sorry to increase introspection

• Calligraphy and sound
• A Defense of the Dojo Kun
• The Shotokan Way
• The Dojo Kun of Bushido and Karate-Do