Etiquette

Morals, Manners, Respect, and others are a few things that "MUST" be present in any martial system training facility. Why? Because no where else is it more apparent that the practice involves the ability and capability to cause harm to another human being. This ability "requires" that the owner of such skill be able to wield that power with a moral foundation.

Recent news events have come up where the offending persons were labeled, "karate," persons who did some nefarious deed against some other person. Martial arts are NOT some game, some sport, some tool that can and is wielded haphazardly and willy nilly.

One martial luminary stated in a book that if he observed certain unacceptable behaviors, etc. in a dojo he would immediately leave and never return. Good advice! I recommend one not compromise morals or respect or humanity to train somewhere because it is the only game in town or the only game close to you for convenience.

Etiquette for me is best explained in this post HERE. If you don't have these qualities or at least are trying live up to them then maybe you should reevaluate the reasons you train and practice. If the training facility you attend cannot at least diligent attempt to live up to these American Samurai rules then find another way to train and practice.

If you are the Sensei and you perceive even a hint of impropriety you MUST step up and address the issue; squelch it before it infects your dojo. No excuses. Just so you will know I am not talking out my ??? I can tell you that if today I entered the training facility as I ran it thirty years ago I would have turned around and found some other place to train. If you were or are like this then clean it up and fix it; it is never too late!

Soap Box gone now ...