Reihō (礼法)

Below is an expaination of the concept of reihō.  While there are some differences from what we practice at our dojo, hopefully this will give some insight into the core principles of all martial arts.  Courtesy and respect must be integrated into your study of karate-do.  O Sensei Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, founder of Chito Ryu, tells us that "Without courtesy, the soul is lost."

 

Note: My apology to the original author for not giving proper attribution.  The source information could not be located.

 

The meaning of reihō can be sometimes translated as "etiquette," "respect" or "courtesy." It is a very important concept in Japanese culture, including traditional Japanese martial arts. It is not a "ceremony" or a "ritual" per se; as this may construe that it is performing an exotic spiritual or religious act without meaning, which is not the case. In Japan this act is considered ancestral reverence. While reihō may have the meaning of "etiquette," this does not adequately describe its many connotations.

Reihō is in many ways a code of conduct, which in Japan is applied to one's everyday life. For example; at school, at work, at home, when they visit their doctor, ect. In Japan "rei" is not taught to the Japanese – usually only to foreigners – because it is generally known due to its culture. In our western culture (specifically American) we tend not to "show respect." And when we do give respect we often express it by saying it. And when we do say that we respect someone as in "I respect you" it is seldom given out. So, reihō is a foreign concept to westerners.

Since we are dealing with a Japanese martial art, reihō is included in the Genbukan. It is the basis of all traditional Japanese martial arts, no matter what their roots are. Without reihō in martial arts it would be nothing more, nor better, than hoodlums fighting in the streets. In the Genbukan the purpose of reihō has two purposes. First, it is a way of paying respect to the tradition, the teacher, and the students. Secondly, it provides a degree of safety, especially during the use of weapons. In the Genbukan, as well as most Japanese martial arts, everything begins and ends with reihō.

 

Entering the Dōjō

When entering the dōjō, stand in a natural posture and perform shizen rei (standing bow) to anyone present, and say one of the following: ohayō gozaimasu (good morning), konnichiwa (good afternoon), or konbanwa (good evening). If you are already at the dōjō it is customary to stand up and greet the teacher when he arrives.

 

Entering and Exiting the Training Floor

Before entering on the training floor, face towards the kamidana (dōjō shrine) and perform shizen rei. If you are training outside you will face to the north and perform shizen rei.

Note: If you are late to class, quickly prepare yourself for training. Upon entering the dōjō, immediately step off to the side and perform the shinzen rei.

 

Beginning and Ending of Class

The beginning and ending of class is signified by a formal bowing consisting of two parts: shinzen rei (bow in acknowledgment of the tradition) and shi rei (bow to the teacher).

 

1. Beginning: Seiretsu – Form a line

At the beginning of class the instructor will say, "Dewa keiko wo hajimeru" (begin training). Thesenpei (the senior) will command everyone to line up in a row by saying, "Seiretsu!" All the students will line up by rank and kneel into seiza (a seated posture) with the senpei at the lead, facing the kamidana (dōjō shrine). The instructor will move to the front of the class and kneel into seiza facing the class.

 

2. Mokusō – Meditation

The senpei will then instruct everyone to perform mokusō (Japanese term for meditation to "clear one's mind"). Everyone will then place their hands in their laps, right hand over left, thumbs touching, and then lightly closing eyes to clear their minds. After a few minutes, the instructor will then recite the "Ninniku Seishin" poem with everyone following his lead. The instructor will then stop the meditation by saying "Mokusō yame." Everyone will then open their eyes and places their hands on the thighs.

 

3. Shinzen Rei – Bow before the shrine

The instructor turns around and faces the kamidana (dōjō shrine). He then places his hands ingasshō (hands together in front of his chest). The students with then follow his lead by doing the same gasshō. The instructor then recites the following phrase, "Chihayafuru kami no oseiwa tokoshieni tadashiki kokoro mi wo mamoruran." (The teachings of God never changes throughout eternity and will protect you if you have a correct mind/heart/spirit). And then he says, "Shikin haramitsu daikōmyō!" (The sounds of words in our reach for perfection will lead us to the powerful light). The students then repeats, "Shikin haramitsu daikōmyō!" Everyone then claps twice, performs a bow, and claps one more time followed by one more bow.

Note: If the Teacher is not in class then the senpei does NOT go to the front of class where the teacher sits. He stays in the usual place at the far right.

 

4. Shi Rei – Bow to the teacher

The instructor then turns around and faces the class. The senpei will command everyone to correct their posture and bow to the teacher by saying "Shisei wo tadashite, Sensei ni rei!" The students then bows to the instructor, while the instructor does the same to the students, with everyone saying, "Onegai shimasu." (Please assist me).

Note: if the teacher is not in class, the the senpei says “Shisei wo tadashite, shinzen ni rei!”

 

5. Ending: Seiretsu – Form a line

At the end of class the instructor will say, "Keiko owari" (Training has ended). The senpei (the senior) will command everyone to line up in a row by saying, "Seiretsu!" All the students will line up by rank and kneel into seiza (a seated posture) with the senpei at the lead, facing the kamidana (dōjō shrine). The instructor will move to the front of the class and kneel into seiza facing the class.

 

6. Mokusō – Meditation

The senpei will then instruct everyone to perform mokusō (Japanese term for meditation to "clear one's mind"). Everyone will then place their hands in their laps, right hand over left, thumbs touching, and then lightly closing eyes to clear their minds. After a few minutes, the instructor will then stop the meditation by saying "Mokusō yame." Everyone will then open their eyes and places their hands on the thighs.

 

7. Shinzen Rei – Bow before the shrine

The instructor turns around and faces the kamidana (dōjō shrine). He then places his hands ingasshō (hands together in front of his chest). The students with then follow his lead by doing the same gasshō. The instructor then recites the following phrase, "Chihayafuru kami no oseiwa tokoshieni tadashiki kokoro mi wo mamoruran." (The teachings of God never changes throughout eternity and will protect you if you have a correct mind/heart/spirit). And then he says, "Shikin haramitsu daikōmyō!" (The sounds of words in our reach for perfection will lead us to the powerful light). The students then repeats, "Shikin haramitsu daikōmyō!" Everyone then claps twice, performs a bow, and claps one more time followed by one more bow.

Note: If the Teacher is not in class then the senpei does NOT go to the front of class where the teacher sits. He stays in the usual place at the far right.

 

8. Shi Rei – Bow to the teacher

The instructor then turns around and faces the class. The senpei will command everyone to correct their posture and bow to the teacher by saying "Shisei wo tadashite, Sensei ni rei!" The students then bows to the instructor saying, "Arigatō gozaimashita." (Thank you). The instructor bows to the class while saying, "Gokurō samadeshita" (thank you very much for your efforts). The senpai will then give a command to the students to bow to each other by saying, "Sōgo ni rei." Everyone will then bow to each other and says "Arigatō gozaimashita."

Note: if the teacher is not in class, the senpei says "Shisei wo tadashite, shinzen ni rei!"

 

Exiting the Dōjō

Upon leaving the dōjō, stand in a natural posture and perform shizen rei (standing bow) and say one of the following: oyasumi nasai (good night), or shitsurei shimasu (pardon me leaving).