Formal Ceremonies

Our dojo often uses formal opening and closing ceremonies. Below are the Japanese commands given and an explanation in English.

Opening Ceremony

Head student: shugo - Line up

Head student: ki o tsuke - Attention

Head student: seiza - Kneel

Head student: mokuso - Meditation, eyes closed

Head student: mokuso yame - Open eyes

Head student: sensei ni - Face Instructor

Head student: rei - Bow

Everybody: onegaishimasu - “Will you please?” In karate “Please teach me”

Instructor: tate - Stand up

Closing Ceremony

Head student: shugo - Line up

Head student: ki o tsuke - Attention

Head student: seiza - Kneel

Head student: mokuso - Meditation, eyes closed

Head student: mokuso yame - Open eyes

Head student: sensei ni - Face Instructor

Head student: rei - Bow

Everybody: domo arigato gozaimashita - Thank you very much

Head student: otagai ni - Face fellow student

Head student: rei - Bow

Everybody: domo arigato gozaimashita - Thank you very much

Head student: shomen ni - Face forwards

The Instructor will then get up and leave, then the other students in order of rank.