Jizaikan

Bowing

Training begins with all members kneeling in seiza (kneeling posture) facing the front wall of the dojo. The instructor recites the following motto:“SHI-KIN HARA-MITSU DAI-KO-MYO”

Our interpretation is: “A moment of true interaction between mind body spirit and environment may lead to understanding the key to enlightenment.” A simpler translation may be “everything I do or experience in life, I can learn from”

At this point students and instructor clap twice together, bow together, clap once together, and bow again together. The teacher turns to face the class, and the senior student calls:

“SEN-SEI NI REI” (acknowledgement of the instructor)

Bow to the teacher

Students and teacher bow to each other at the same time and say:

“O-NE-GAI-SHI-MAS” (before training) (please assist me)

Class has started.