end of the year 2007/2008, Gym ... or Dojo? The dojo, probably as we are told if we asked him to "blank" to a martial artist , is the place where you practice, where you train, what for most practitioners is to coincide with his "beloved" gym. Maybe some more experienced student, even knowing the etymology of this Japanese term, we would say that the dojo is literally "the place where you can go along." Well this definition, in my opinion, very beautiful and very deep, is fully understood and not superficial interest in the world "exotic" of martial arts movies.
The fact that Dojo is a place where "you walk along a path" means a lot. In dojo simply do not pay for a service that will be made, but rather put into play ourselves: in the dojo we walk the path of art, harmony, Morihei Ueshiba would say: the way of peace. This is not a short way, and certainly not down. The dojo is not just a short gym where we are going to tone muscles or get some service in exchange for the mere payment of a monthly. In the dojo, it is not repeated often enough, we the protagonists, we are the difficulties we face and, with the help of the teacher and our good will, overcome from time to time. The dojo is different from the rest of the day and week, but not in the sense that our problems go away merely on the mat: our problems, all our problems, difficulties are reflected in the dojo (unfamiliar to a given year, a mate which is too "exuberant" or simply annoying, difficulty in understanding certain forms or techniques) and these difficulties clearly show us that, taking everything in right perspective and giving due importance (neither more nor less) of all, you can overcome all difficulties and solve almost every problem alone. That said, that in fact is a hint of a reflection that develops over years of practice and not in minutes, let's talk briefly of the four "sides" of the dojo:
Kamiza (North - Water - intuition)
side for teachers called Kamiza or Joza (upper seat or place to sit kami) and can be identified easily as often corresponding to the wall, is exposed the image of a wise calligrapher and founder of the art of philosophical content. In Japan, this place is often distinguished by the presence of a high Shinto. And 'Here sits the master, which is the only one to give away the Shinden (altar).
Shimoza (South - Fire - Intellect logical / rational)
front of the upper seat is the seat bottom (Shimoza ), it is the side from which students have access to the Tatami and positioning, while their eyes are turned to the north towards the light of Kamiza. The students are lined up from the right (east), the higher grades, on the left (west), the lower grades.
Joseki (East - Wood - Virtue and Charity)
The east side is called Joseki (top left of the upper seat), is the Sempai place to sit and advanced degrees. East is also where the sun rises, meaning that high grades are lit before the lower grades.
Shimoseki (West - Metal - righteousness) The west side is called Shimoseki (bottom, right to the top of the seat.), Is the place where Kohai sit and grades. West is also the side where the sun sets, meaning that the lower grades are lit after the higher grades.
One feature that distinguishes the martial arts combat sports and the fact that first possess a set of rules and rituals that are an integral part of training.
A reflection
Even in the West the word "Dojo" has taken on in the common language meaning "place where martial arts practice," unfortunately is only intended as gym or club, forgetting the deep sense of respect that should conjure .
And 'We fully intend to make the words dojo, respect, label, honor, tradition etc. summarize their deep meaning, and then ask those who believes it does not approach the banality of course because it would only waste your time with us and to himself.
We wish everyone a good and successful practice ...
The Editor.
