Longevity

Choju [長寿]

The characters/ideograms mean "longevity." The first character means, "long; leader," the second character means, "longevity; congratulations; one's natural life." 

Chojuinochi [長寿命]

The characters/ideograms mean "long operating life; long service life; long life." The first character means, "long; leader," the second character means, "longevity; congratulations; one's natural life," the third character means, "fate; command; decree; destiny; life; appoint."

Both terms are used to express the longevity of a martial artists. In my career, i.e. as a construction worker, a Marine, a Civil Servant working for the Navy (motor vehicle operator; warehouse manager; materials expediter; weapons technician (radiation control tech; weapons technician; security manager; communications security manager; physical security manager), etc. I ran into a lot of personal turnover but in no other discipline have I see a turnover rate as high as a dojo. 

Choju or Chojuinochi denotes the longevity evident in one who is a life long practitioner of the martial arts like karate. In a karate dojo, training hall or studio the dedication, determination and commitment necessary to achieve proficiency means a persona that goes the distance, i.e. where the distance is never set in stone but remains fluid waiting for that last breath upon one's death bed. 

It takes one of considerable character to live a budo life. I am not talking about those who arrive, participate as required and then going off the have a drink and talk about how they have mastered a martial art (especially at the ripe old age of nineteen or so). It is a gradual forging of the type of person who lasts throughout the various stages of life resulting in a sense, a spirit and a life style that is humble and expresses an aura of peaceful and graceful spirit.