KEYWORTH BUDOKAI SONRIKI SHOTOKAN KARATE KAI KEYWORTH SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB Keyworth, Nottingham UK Click on either badge to return to home page

KEYWORTH BUDOKAI was established in Keyworth in 1985, and incorporates the Keyworth Shotokan Karate Club.  The Chief Instructor is a black belt 5th Dan with more than 25 years experience of shotokan karate as a student, instructor, competition referee and grading examiner.  The club is fortunate to be supported by a female black belt second dan assistant instructor, and several male black belt shodan assistant instructors. KEYWORTH BUDOKAI is an associate member of Shi Kon Budokai , which is affiliated to the English Karate Governing Body (EKGB) , recognised by the Sport England as the official body representing karate in England. 

The formal Japanese name of the club, SONRIKI  , means "noble strength", implying strength of mind and body with respect and humility. 

Karate is an excellent way of keeping physically and mentally fit, and the ultimate system of unarmed self-defence.  Karate teaches self-discipline, leading to confidence and well-being.  It can be practised by men and women, boys and girls, young and not so young, and is therefore ideal for all members of the family.   SHOTOKAN is the name of the style of karate practised - it is the most popular style practised in the UK and Western Europe. 

Saiji o kiwameru wa kampeki e no michi It is in mastering details that one may reach perfection Saiji o kiwameru wa kampeki e no michi Details to master perfection to the way

BELTS
Beginners start with a white belt (10th kyu), and then move on to red (9th kyu), orange (8th), yellow (7th), green (6th), purple (5th), purple+white stripe (4th), brown (3rd), brown+one white stripe (2nd), brown+2 white stripes (1st), then black (1st dan).  The first black belt grade (dan) is called "shodan". "Sho"  means "first" in the sense that something has happened and will never happen again. Second dan (nidan) and higher grades use normal counters (ni, san, yon, go, etc). 

Discipline is a very important part of training in any martial art. Good discipline and correct etiquette encourage students and instructors alike to give their best during training. Without discipline and mutual respect, training would become meaningless. Respect and discipline should, of course, extend beyond the dojo into our daily lives. We study a powerful and aggressive art - thus self-discipline and humility must always overcome arrogance. 
The rules of the dojo (training place) are based on traditional procedures, but most are just common sense. 

• 1. Every karateka must bow (rei) on entering or leaving the dojo. It is not necessary to say 'oos'.
• 2. In the dojo, the senior instructor present must be addressed as SENSEI (pronounced sen-say). Any other yudansha (black-belt) should be addressed as SEMPAI (pronounced sem-pie, as in apple pie). If a visiting instructor is teaching, he/she must be addressed as SENSEI, all other yudansha as SEMPAI.  Very high-grade instructors (usually 6th dan and above) may be addressed as SHIHAN.
• 3. Normally all instructors, and especially visiting instructors must be addressed as SENSEI both in and out of the dojo (e.g. in changing rooms, discussions after training, in the street when meeting, even in the pub after training!). Christian names may only be adopted outside the dojo if the instructor has indicated that formalities may be dropped. These formalities are waived by Keyworth Budokai  instructors, but you should be aware that they exist.
• 4. Every student should bow and say 'oos' to fellow students on first meeting them in the dojo. It is the responsibility of the lower grade to bow first. All students must bow to any black belt who enters the dojo (unless the formal class has already started).
• 5. The dojo captain is the highest grade student in the dojo, excluding the instructor. If formal bows from kneeling position (seiza) are taken before and/or after training, the dojo captain should ensure that all lines are straight, and say loudly 'SHORIN REI' when the sensei is facing away from the class, and 'SENSEI REI' when the sensei faces the class. If there is mokuso (meditation) during seiza, 'shorin rei' and 'sensei rei' are called after 'mokuso yame' or 'matte' is called by the sensei.
• 6. There must be no smoking, eating or drinking in the dojo, nor any bad language. There should be no noise or unnecessary talking.
• 7. Shoes should not normally be worn in the dojo. The dojo is not the place for changing into karategi.
• 8. If a student has forgotten his/her belt, he must ask permission from the sensei to train without a belt, or with the wrong colour belt.
• 9. Students arriving late must bow to the instructor and await invitation to join in. It is customary to stand in musubi dachi (feet together, toes out, formal stance) at the side of the dojo until you are invited to join in. Do not disturb others if you have been given permission to join in during an exercise. Do not disturb straight lines if the instructor is talking. When joining the lines, take a position between students of your grade, and the next grade down. The lower grades can then adjust the lines. Do not move into the middle or head of your grade group.
• 10. It is the responsibility of the lower grades to make sure that the dojo is fit to train in, i.e. tidy, clean floor, etc. If possible, chairs should be made available for any spectators.
• 11. It is the responsibility of the Dojo Captain and other senior grades to ensure that lines are straight before and after an exercise, and that dojo discipline is maintained. Lines should normally be adjusted after the bow at the end of an exercise.
• 12. Any students with a poor attendance record will not be permitted to take their next grading examination. It is customary to inform the sensei if you are likely to be absent for more than one or two sessions.
• 13. All students should learn the Japanese and English lines of the 'Dojo Kun' ('Morals of the dojo). All lines begin with 'Hitotsu'. 'Hitotsu' means 'first', or 'one', and thus all lines are of equal importance, but the 'Dojo Kun' should be learnt and recited in the order given.

The Dojo Kun is traditionally recited at the end of each training session. Normally the dojo captain recites one line loudly, and the rest of the students repeat that line; then the captain recites the next line. The English translations are not recited, but the students should try to remember what each line means. 
 

Hitotsu! Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto! One! To strive for the perfection of character Hitotsu! Makoto no michi o mamoru koto! One! To defend the paths of truth! Hitotsu! Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto! One! To foster the spirit of effort! Hitotsu! Reigi o omonzuru koto! One! To honour the principles of etiquette! Hitotsu! Kekki no yu o imashimuru koto! One! To guard against impetuous courage!

There are three stages to master in any Budo.  Sumo wrestlers call them the 'Shin-gi-tai'.  In karate-do it is the same, but considered in reverse order as shin cannot be mastered without gi, and gi cannot be mastered without tai; and sometimes using the word waza instead of gi.  Few people master any of these;  fewer still master all. 
 

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