Vocabulary Technique 3 – Practice and Etiquette
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Sensei — Teacher —
先生 Before / birth
Sensei literally means “the one who was born before”. The expression is to be understood in the sense of practice: it designates the one who came to the discipline before.Each teacher develops an approach rooted in the five principles of junomichi. These give the class its method and its logic. Beyond techniques, it is the principles — as a method of autonomous research and practice — that the teacher seeks to transmit first. The teaching qualification is obtained through both a written and practical presentation before the technical commission of the FIAJ. |
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Mondô — Exchanges on practice —
問答 Question / answer
Junomichikas feel the need to regularly exchange intuitions, thoughts and understanding of junomichi through free conversations.These exchanges arise from discoveries and understandings experienced during practice. |
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Dojo — Place where ways are practised —
道場 Way / place
The place of junomichi is the dojo: it is where practitioners gather to bring the practice into existence.
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Tatami — Practice mat —
畳 Straw mat
The surface of the dojo is covered with thick mats. They allow barefoot practice and safe falling.
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Shômen — Place of honour —
正面 Authentic / correct / surface
Hosting the portraits of the founders, the shômen orients the dojo.
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Jôseki — Place of honour —
上席 Upper / seat
The jôseki is the place where teachers and guests sit during demonstrations.
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Shimoseki — Place of practitioners —
下座 Lower / seat
Facing the shômen, the shimoseki is where practitioners stand during greetings.
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Dôgi — Practice garment —
道着 Way / clothing
The dôgi consists of a white jacket and trousers.
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Obi — Belt —
帯 Belt
The belt holds the dôgi and supports awareness of the hara.
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Rei — Salute —
礼 Salute
The salute marks the beginning and end of practice sequences.
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Otagai ni rei — Salute to each other —
お互いに礼 Each other / to / salute
Otagai ni rei establishes sincerity, attention and engagement between partners.
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