Opening and Closing of Classes

Before opening or closing of any class session, all students and instructors shall take their proper positions on the mat area according to proper reishiki. The four sides of a Dojo are very important in reishiki, for each has a specific code of ethics to follow.

The KAMIZA is the highest point of honor in a Dojo. It is the upper seat or seat of honor in which proper reishiki is reserved for the highest dan holders. At no time while in a Dojo may a Judoka stand with his back to the Kamiza, nor at any time sit in the Kamiza area. Even while doing taiso (calisthenics), your back should never be towards the Kamiza. Only the senior sensei of the Dojo can have his back to the Kamiza.

In proper reishiki no instructor or black belt below the rank of ninth dan should be allowed to sit with his back to the Kamiza for opening or closing the class.

Joseki is the second most important area of a Dojo. In proper reishiki, if the instructor of the Dojo is below the rank of ninth dan he or she should be placed to the right of the Kamiza in the joseki area. Only those equal in rank sit in this area. If the sensei wishes he may have any of the black belts sit next to him on his left side. In proper reishiki all lesser ranks should always be on the left side.

Shimoseki is the third ranked area of importance in the Dojo. It is the place all lower ranked black belts should sit. For example, if the instructor is a sixth or seventh dan he would sit in the middle of the Joseki area facing the Shimoseki area and all lower ranking black belts would sit facing him.

Shimoza is the lowest ranked area of the Dojo. All Mudansha (a person of senior age from 17 years and older and less than a Black Belt rank) should be lined up from right to left in order of rank, the highest sitting to the right and then down to the lowest rank of the players.

After all the Senior ranked mudansha have been seated in line then should come all the shonen and yonen ranked players according to belt rank. After the senior aged players the shonen and yonen line up according to rank not age.

All students and assistant Instructors shall take their position in the proper area of the Dojo and sit in a seiza position (kneeling seated) and the senior instructor shall take his place to the right facing the Kamiza in the proper place of the Joseki at the beginning and end of the class. The senior Judoka, if one is seated in the Shimoseki, shall give the verbal command of "Kamiza- Ni", which is a preparatory command at which time any students sitting in the Shimoseki shall turn half left and face the Kamiza, and anyone sitting in the Joseki will turn half right to face the Kamiza, and everyone will observe a pause of a 8 to 10 seconds until the senior student once again shall give the command of "REI". When this command is given all those sitting on the mat area shall simultaneously make a correct ZAREI (kneeling bow) to the Kamiza.

The next command should come after another slight pause of another 8 to 10 seconds. The senior student will again give the preparatory command of "Sensei ni", at which time those in the Shimoseki will make a half right turn to face the Joseki area and everyone in the Joseki area will make a half left turn to face the Shimoseki. Then the senior ranked student will say, "REI", at which time the instructor and students shall all bow at the same time. At the end of the class they will repeat the process, but with "Sensei Ni, Rei" first and then with "Kamiza Ni -Rei" closing the class. Note: it is improper for the students to stand before the instructor stands. Remain seated until all Black belts are standing and then at that time the rest of the students may stand.