Martial Etiquette

‘Sometimes manners is the difference between keeping and losing your head’

Etiquette is something that transcends into all areas of life, be it when visiting a friend’s house, going to a silver dinner service or training in the dojo. In ancient Japan when the Samurai walked the earth, good etiquette would insure that a person would live longer. Something as trivial as touching another man’s sword could cost you your head! Although the days of the Samurai have been and gone, etiquette and good manners are still an absolutely vital part of martial arts.

So what part does etiquette play and how do we instil it in ourselves?
Well, firstly if you’ve going to teach someone how to defend themselves then you have to teach them discipline and more importantly self discipline. A Sensei simply cannot teach just anyone the art of fighting alone. If that person has a bad attitude then they will surely abuse that skill and use it to do bad things! So discipline and self control are an absolute must when learning any martial art.

‘With all power comes great responsibility’.

So we’ve covered why it is necessary to have etiquette but how does etiquette in martial arts or more specifically in Yoshinkan Aikido, help to instil discipline?
Well first time you enter a real dojo and see this etiquette in motion it is strange thing to witness. First of all each student must bow before entering the training area itself and say the word ‘Osu’. (Both are a vital part of the process so I’ll try and explain each one. First the bow: Hands by the side, feet together, the bow must be rigid and done from the waist not with the neck and only to about 45 degree angle. It must be executed with a sharp precise movement lasting only a second or two.

Secondly the bow is accompanied by the word Osu, which is an abbreviation the Japanese word Ohayo Gozaimasu" which means ‘good morning’. The term Osu has a more universal meaning though than just “Good Morning” or “hello”. It is used as a form of acknowledgement to someone else’s presence and of their knowledge. It is used in agreement to say ‘I understand’ and always in a positive manner.
When you hear the word used in the right context and with the right tone, you will despite the translation barrier, instantly recognise that it has a strong meaning. It is not a word to be taken lightly.

When entering a dojo the Osu must be said with conviction, same as when facing or answering another student or Sensei. If not then it can be taken as an insult! It’s a bit like you saying ‘hello’ to someone and that someone then ignoring you – it’s rude!

So it’s important to learn not only how to say ‘osu’ and bow correctly but when to perform these actions. So we know that it must be performed when entering the training area. It must also be performed before stepping onto the mat. If you are late arriving for a class then it is considered good etiquette to kneel in seiza in the corner of the mat until Sensei acknowledges your presence and bows to you. Which in turn you bow osu and then run to your place on the mat.
At the beginning of any class all the students will line up in seiza (kneeling position) facing shomen (front). When Sensei enters the mat and takes up his position the Sempai (most senior student) will call out “Shomen ni rei” which simply means ‘bow to front’, (The kneeling bow is again performed in a specific manner which we will cover another time) Sensei will then turn and face the students. Sempai will call out “Sensei ni rei” (bow to teacher) and everyone bows together this time calling out osu in a sharp positive tone. You are now ready for class – congratulations.