(Guest post by Alan Gochin)

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

The five rules are shown below. Note that “hitotsu” in Japanese means “one” or in a slang way, “firstly.” So when the dojo kun is recited in Japanese, “hitotsu” said before each principle is meant to show that they are all of equal importance.

Also, note below that Shuto Karate Sellersville has added “myself” to the fourth principle in the dojo kun, “Respect others.”

Seek perfection of character
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

Be faithful
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

Endeavor
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

Respect (myself and) others
一、礼儀を重んずること
hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto
reigi = courtesy, wo = with respect to that, omonzuru = honor

Refrain from violent behavior
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