A Collection of advice from Karate Seniors. Tenth in a series of posts.

 

 

Dojo Kun (School Principles) of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo
Mayayoshi Kori Hisataka

 

 

1.     Maintain propriety, etiquette, dignity and virtue.

2.     Gain self-understanding by tasting the true meaning of combat.

3.     Search for the pure principles of being truthful, just and normal.

4.     Exercise a positive personality: confident, courageous and determined.

5.     Always seek to further develop the character, by aiming towards perfection and complete harmony with creation.

Student's Creed

6.     I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that could reduce my mental growth and physical health.

7.     I will develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best of myself and others.

8.     I will use what I learned in class constructively and defensively to help myself and others and never be abusive or offensive.

Shorinjiryu Shindo Black Belt Oath

9.     I accept with honor and privilege this Black Belt in Shorinjiryu. I swear to uphold the standards of honesty, modesty, courtesy, integrity, high moral code, perseverance, courage and indomitable spirit.

10. I sincerely pledge to honor my instructor and school with loyalty and support, also to value and carry on the martial arts tradition with respect and dignity.

11. I further pledge, with humility and gratitude, to continue my mental, physical and spiritual growth to the highest level, to lead by example and to share what I have learned with others.^xiii

 

 

Okinawan Shorin-ryu Matsumura Seito Karate-do
Soken Hohan's Orthodox Karate-Do Association

 

Hohan Soken's Dojo Kun

12. Karate practitioners always conduct themselves with proper etiquette.

13. Without fail, bow to begin and bow to end when performing kata and kumite.

14. When practicing, rouse your energy and pour in all of your strength. Practice devoid of energy is all the more an obstacle to progress.

15. Watch and listen well to the teachings of yours instructor, your seniors and your seniors in the various other schools. Work hard and refine yourself, never forget Karate Shugyojo no Kokoroe (their Teachings).

16. Looking and listening are both large keys to progress. As one improves, their importance becomes more apparent.

17. Continue practice, even if a little at a time. Interruptions become an interruption or a step backward in progress.

18. Learn the essence of your technique, watch over the state of your heart and plan out their development. "Technique" and "heart" are as "omote" and "ura" (two faces of the same entity).

19. Beware of overdrinking and overeating. It is a rule that overdrinking and overeating lessen the effects of practice.

20. Never lose the thought of improvement, never slacken (your effort). Self-conceit is a serious illness easily contracted during karate practice.

21. Limitless is karate training. Work ceaselessly, and you will be surely become a Master.^xiv

^{Notes on  the series:}

 

ⁱ Graham Noble with Ian McLaren and Prof. N. Karasawa, Masters of The Shorin-ryu Part One: http://seinenkai.com/articles/noble/noble-shorin1.html. For alternative translations, see "Sokon 'Bushi' Matsumura" at http://www.shotokankarateuk.com/matsumura.html and "Sokon 'Bushi" Matsumura" at http://www.msisshinryu.com/masters/bushi/. See also Christopher M. Clarke, Nyumonsha: A Handbook for Beginning Students. Huntingtown, MD, 2007, page 120.

ⁱⁱ Iain Abernathy, http://blog.iainabernathy.com/?p=81. See also Noble, Masters of The Shorin-ryu, Part One; and "Master Itosu's 10 Precepts<' at http://www.shuriway.co.uk/precepts.html. See also, Christopher M. Clarke, Nyumonsha: A Handbook for Beginning Students. Huntingtown, MD, 2007, page 96-97

ⁱⁱⁱ Tokitsu Kenji, History of Karate-do (French to English translation by Victor Smith) in Budo Karate Journal, 2005.l

^iv Kiyan lecture to the Okinawa Prefecture School of Agriculture and Forestry, translated by Patrick and Yuriko McCarthy, Koryu Journal, 2001-2002.

^v Motobu Choki, "The Rules of Quanfa," Koryu Journal, 1999.

^vi Shinjinbukan Shorin-ryu at http://www.okinawakaratedo.com/Shinjinbukan%20net/Chibana.htm.

^vii Graham Noble with Ian McLaren and Prof. N. Karasawa, Masters of The Shorin-ryu Part Two at http://www.seinenkai.com/articles/noble/noble-shorin2.html.

^viii Mike Clarke, "A conversation with Takayoshi Nagamine Sensei," Sunday, March 1, 2009.

^ix Christopher M. Clarke, Nyumonsha: A Handbook for Beginning Students. Huntingtown, MD, 2007, page 53.

^x See Stamford Dojo, http://www.stamfordisshinryu.com/id80.htm.

^xi Stamford Dojo, http://www.stamfordisshinryu.com/id80.htm.

^xii Stamford Dojo, http://www.stamfordisshinryu.com/id80.htm.

^xiii Stamford Dojo, http://www.stamfordisshinryu.com/id80.htm.

^xiv Stamford Dojo, http://www.stamfordisshinryu.com/id80.htm.