KODENKAN PROTOCOL AND ETHICS
From the 1981 Kiai Echo: Memorial Issue, Bud Estes, Judan
QUESTION: Why do we need to practice courtesy and protocol?
PROF. ESTES: One of the great needs of it is the lack of discipline. Some of us have gone into dojos where there was very little respect shown on the mat. This means that the students will gradually lose respect for their instructors, and then they lose a great deal of the teaching. Discipline is one of the things Kodenkan stands for, and if we neglect it in mat-courtesy and mat-protocol, then we do not demonstrate it to the point where others will benefit from it.
We need all of our members to be acquainted with the courtesies expected of all jujistuka and the courtesies that are to be shown on the mats, whether they be one’s own mat or another dojo’s mat so that the respect and dignity become an essential part of the training in Kodenkan jujitsu and the AJJF.
If you have learned to respect your equals and your superiors and inferiors rank-wise in the dojo, it will become a life habit, so that you will respect all those that you come in contact with in any walk of life. The more you respect others, the more you will earn the respect of others and consequently, you will advance in the community and the whole world because of the respect you show to others. If you show disrespect to others, then the world will not respect you. The things you do and say will be taken into consideration according to the amount of respect you show others.
QUESTION: How do we help our students develop self-discipline?
PROF. ESTES: We teach them discipline by giving them a disciplined example. We tell them that they must learn to govern themselves, control themselves, otherwise they are not worthy of trying to control others. If we can teach this effectively enough, it will lap over into their everyday lives and their work-lives to the point where they will benefit from it and accomplish more than they could without it. If you have not learned discipline, then when a desire comes, you go with the trend of other people, and this can get you in trouble sometimes. We feel that by learning discipline on the mat, you have learned discipline to the point that it will affect your life often and make you a better person.
Historically, when an instructor was speaking, his students were absolutely silent and their attention was directed at the person speaking. If they failed to do that, they were duly reprimanded, and consequently, the students learned to discipline themselves as well as learned to concentrate. These are two of the things quite necessary in the teaching of jujitsu.
QUESTION: How are jujitsu classes traditionally organized?
PROF. ESTES: It is up to the sensei to place students in the way most comfortable to him. It is normal for visiting black belters to be beside the sensei complimenting him in his position at the head of the mat. Brown belters are generally on the right, greens or blues on the left and white directly facing the black belters. This segregates them according to the importance of their ranks and teaches them discipline from that respect also. This gives each rank incentive to progress towards the next highest rank. The blues look forward to sitting where the greens sit, etc. This gives incentive not only to develop their arts but their position of respect. It also teaches respect to the casual onlooker. These methods are handed down from sensei to student, from generation to generation, and they become a part of Kodenkan that is not only respected by the people in Kodenkan but people on the outside. When they see this, they are vastly impressed by it and to the point where they want to participate.
QUESTION: Please outline the protocol regarding bowing while at the dojo.
PROF. ESTES: Bow when you enter a gym, whether anyone is there or not. Bow again before stepping on the mat. If class is not formally opened yet, and people are just warming up, it is all right to just bow on the mat and warm up also. But if class has formally opened, then one must be recognized first by the sensei or the instructor in charge before stepping on the mat. But if you have never been to the gym before and were not invited to come, then you must also wait to be recognized even before warming up.
QUESTION: What protocol should be followed when visiting another dojo?
PROF. ESTES: If I were visiting another gym where a brown-belter or a Shodan were in charge of the class, according to protocol, I would not be allowed on the mat unless I was recognized by him first. I would go to the edge of the mat, and I would wait until he recognized me. Then I would be allowed to teach as he teaches unless he asks me to teach some other way. If so, then I am at liberty to teach as I would in my own gym. Otherwise I am required to teach as he teaches or not teach at all. This also shows his students that others have respect for their dojo and sensei, and this increases respect for their sensei.
Another thing, if a visiting instructor comes, he should practice the same respect and discipline there as he would expect in his own dojo. In other words, he would not go on to the mat unless he was recognized by the instructor-in-charge, regardless of that sensei’s rank, whether he was higher or lower than his own. These are some of the things we have tried to propagate in the AJJF so that these fundamentals would not be lost. My students should visit another school with the thought of learning. Respect the teaching of the sensei. Regardless of how he is taught at home, the student should do the arts exactly as the Sensei of the school he is visiting does it. If he practices with an open attitude, he will learn a new way of doing the art. This is the advantage of visiting other dojos. The student should never question the exactness or correctness of a visiting sensei’s arts. Keep the knowledge of how you normally do the art to yourself unless you are asked to demonstrate. A visiting sensei should not even help a student with an art or even answer any question unless he is told by the sensei in charge that it is all right.
Once when I visited a Karate class, I bowed as I entered the gym, and the sensei immediately had his students all turn and bow to me. I felt thrilled to see such exactness in protocol. This is exactly what we should do if a visiting teacher comes to our dojo.
QUESTION: What procedure should be followed when a student moves to another area and wishes to attend another dojo?
PROF. ESTES: The student’s sensei should write a letter to the other sensei stating how long the student has been in his class, his jujitsu rank (and any former training), what courses he has been through, and what things he needs help on. The letter should also state whether or not that student is dependable and consistent. In addition, as a matter of courtesy the sensei needs to ask permission for the student to be transferred. By following this procedure, your student will be welcome wherever he goes.
However, it the student leaves without discussing the matter with his sensei, then the other sensei should refuse to allow that student entry into his class until he gets a letter from his sensei. We must confirm transfers so there will be no mistake or misunderstanding. It is also proper protocol to make this confirmation by phone.
QUESTION: The trend of modern education seems to be more towards permissiveness and away from the traditional authoritarian mode. What is the sensei’s role?
PROF. ESTES: Treat the dojo with as much care and respect as you would your own home. In that way, you would then treat your possessions carefully, and we would treat all the people as your own family – people you love and care for. They in turn will reciprocate. Love and brotherly caring is something you have to learn. You are born with trust, but are not born with love for people, you learn it by example. If you teach your students that you care and teach them to care, then you are doing them a grand service. We emphasize protocol and ethics to develop good citizens and caring people.
When two students are assigned to work together, they should always bow to one another. This says, “I respect you, and I work with you so that there is a mutual benefit.” When it is time to stop the workout, you bow again indicating, “Thank you; I have learned from you.” This shows respect to fellow students and again this is transferred to your entire life.
QUESTION: Some sensei’s require their students to bow to them each time after he gives some instruction; please comment.
PROF. ESTES: This is not objectionable, but it is not necessary. It does show respect for the sensei. When the sensei gives individualized lessons, and the student bows consciously, this means “Thank you. I’ll try to apply this lesson.” Sensei may in turn bow to the student which implies “Thank you for receiving this lesson, and I hope it benefits you.” There is mutual benefit if they do the above mention, but there is no loss of respect if they do not do it. If the student listens attentively, then no respect is lost. But, if while listening to instruction, the student allows his eyes to wander, then this is a show of disrespect.
At one black belt class that I taught recently, all the students bowed after each instruction, and I felt very good to know all were listening intensely and appreciated the instruction, but I wouldn’t necessarily feel insulted if the students did not follow this practice. If the teacher wants this kind of respect, he must ask for it. If he does not, then he doesn’t need to say anything. There is an old custom we’re trying to rejuvenate in the AJJF and it is that after class is dismissed and the sensei bows you off the mat, then the students are free to get up. This is to show additional respect.
QUESTION: In general, how should the sensei deal with violations of the rules of conduct or morality?
PROF. ESTES: If a student is in violation of some rule of conduct or protocol in my class, I do not reprimand him. Instead I explain the rules and why we have them. I give reasons based on safety, amount of learning, amount of what they are ready to learn, and responsibility. The students must learn to put themselves in the sensei’s place and then not do anything that would cause offense or dishonor. Explain to them that we are a family in this gym; we care for each other. Family members should not do things that will cause harm to other members of the family. Each member should have the attitude that he must conduct himself in a respectable and dignified manner for the benefit of the whole and for himself. Each student should understand that if they are doing things that are detrimental to the dojo and Kodenkan Jujitsu, then this is not the place for them. We need to explain to the students that unless they are willing to do credit to the dojo and our organization for 24 hours each day, then they are not the kind of people we need.
The sensei should never let anything happen on his mat that would cause other jujistuka or the general public to lose respect for our system.
We shouldn’t be afraid to tell our students that we care about them and about their conduct in the dojo and elsewhere. We are closer than just acquaintances; we are family.
First you must tell the student that the reason you are teaching them and the reason you are holding your classes is because you care about the students, and you want to do what is good for them. You must teach them that they are not to fear you, but they are to confide in you if they have problems. You are very willing to help them in any problem or answer any question they ask you about. By dealing with students in this way, they will not want to fail you by breaking protocol or by being disrespectful or showing lack of self-discipline.
QUESTION: How many chances should a student be given for recurring violations of conduct?
PROF. ESTES: I would not give them just one chance; but if they offend a second time, I would tell them that “I have spoken to you about this before, and this one of the things we do not do on the mat. If you want to come to the mat and be one of the family, then you have got to act like the family. You cannot accord and defy the things that are taught on the mat. So, if you want to stay on the mat, you must help us become a family and that starts by showing due respect and due concentration by controlling those emotions and thoughts that make you do otherwise.”
Whether the student is allowed to come back again would be up to the student and the seriousness of the offense. He would not be allowed to come back until he had changed his attitude and proved by actions that indeed his attitude was changed.
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SAMA Kata for receiving instruction, practice and demonstrations
Appropriate behavior by viewing class members.
1. Assume a seiza or other position on the mat that is comfortable. Stand up and come closer for a better look when asked.
2. Do not interrupt the instructor unless recognized for a question or opinion.
Participant’s acknowledgement of the person in charge of the mat and each other.
1. The bow directed toward the “wall of honor” is used when entering any martial arts dojo of any type. The bow is shallow, from the waist with head up and eyes ahead, and is considered an outward sign of appreciation and respect and may be used like a handshake within the dojo.
2. While practicing, students should always bow to each other before beginning an engagement and ending it, such as when shifting to another partner or closing class.
3. In a demonstration, Tori and Uke both give acknowledgement to the person in charge of the mat with a bow, and expect a bow in return.
Uke and Tori relationships and deportment.
1. Uke helps Tori learn by remaining neutral and not countering moves. Tori must be consistent in the speed of his or her movements.
Methods of engaging and disengaging.
1. Tori will inform Uke as to the nature of the art to be performed and what response is expect. All movements should be slow and deliberate; when Uke has reached the limit in an art a prearranged signal (such as a slap to one’s side) is expected.
2. In the case of throws the prevailing kumikata is, for right-handed throws, to grasp Uke’s left collar with the right hand and Uke’s right sleeve with the left hand.
3. Disengaging: Tori and Uke usually step-drag away from each other in a ready position and then stand with feet together and arms at their sides when the art is complete.