Dōjō kun

Shotokan Karate

Generally credited to Gichin Funakoshi (but rumoured to have been created by Kanga Sakukawa, an 18th-century Okinawan karate proponent) the Shotokan Karate dōjō kun serves as a set of five guiding principles, recited at the end of each training session in most styles, intended to frame the practice within an ethical context.

The five rules are:

一、人格 完成に 努める こと

hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto

jinkaku = personality, kansei = complete (perfect), ni = to, tsutomeru = endeavour

一、誠の道を守ること

hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto

makoto = truth, no = 's, michi = path, wo = with respect to that, mamoru = defend

一、努力の精神を養うこと

hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto

doryoku = effort, no = ’s, seishin = spirit, wo = with respect to that, yashinau = cultivate

一、礼儀を重んずること

hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto

reigi = courtesy, wo = with respect to that, omonzuru = honour

一、血気の勇を戒むること

hitotsu, kekki no yū wo imashimuru koto

kekki = vigor (impetuousness), no = of, yu = courage, wo = with respect to that, imashimuru = refrain

The word Hitotsu (一つ) means "one" or "first" and is prepended to each rule to place it at the same level of importance as the others. The word koto (こと) which ends each rule means "thing" and is used as a conjunction between rules. Also, the Japanese no indicates possessiveness and is equivalent to the English 's e.g. doryoku no seishin = effort's spirit = the spirit of effort. wo (and wa) is used to indicate that the preceding element is the subject of the sentence e.g. X wo Y = with respect to X, Y. Finally, the word imashimuru seems archaic, however, it contains the radical 戒 that means admonition and is usually translated as refrain.

Interpretations

Varying translations and interpretations of the dōjō kun exist. Each translation differs in the terms used and the interpretations vary regarding the philosophical depth, meaning, and intention.

The population of English karate practitioners has pushed one form of the translation into being the most widely accepted outside Japan. Generally, the English translation states:

• Each person must strive for the completion and perfection of one's character
• Each person must be faithful and protect the way of truth
• Each person must endeavor (fostering the spirit of effort)
• Each person must respect others and the rules of etiquette
• Each person must refrain from hot blooded behavior (guard against impetuous courage)

A more terse translation is used by the ISKF, IKA and JKA:

• Strive for completion of character (or Seek perfection of character)
• Be Faithful
• Endeavor
• Respect others
• Refrain from violent behavior

An even more terse translation used in some clubs (often repeated towards the end of class by the students)

• Character
• Sincerity
• Effort
• Etiquette
• Self-Control

The dōjō kun also appears in various other martial arts styles, with alterations according to the general precepts of that style.