The purpose of the Dojo Kun is to remind all of the students in the dojo, regardless of   their rank, that the physical, mental, and spiritual growth that they enjoy as a byproduct of their karate training, must also extend beyond the dojo’s walls.

The Dojo Kun is very important part of understanding what karate is all about and it is also one of the things that sets apart from many other disciplines. Karate is not a sport, it is a way of life that follows the principles described in the Dojo Kun. 

The Dojo Kun should be recited out loud one line at a time, first by the dojo’s Sensei or senior Sempai, and then repeated immediately afterwards in unison by all of the students in attendance prior to the final bow at the end of each class.

The “dojo kun” is important for karate because it acts as a set of guiding principles that go beyond just physical technique, outlining the ethical and moral values a karate student should strive to embody both inside and outside the dojo, essentially shaping their character and promoting a holistic approach to martial arts training; it serves as a reminder to focus on self-discipline, respect, sincerity, and effort in all aspects of life, not just in the practice of karate itself. 

Key points about the importance of Dojo Kun:

• Character Development:

The Dojo Kun emphasizes the importance of building strong character traits like humility, perseverance, and self-control, which are considered essential aspects of a true karateka. 

• Holistic Training:

It reminds students that karate is not just about physical skills, but also about mental and spiritual development, encouraging them to apply the lessons learned in the dojo to their daily lives. 

• Respect and Etiquette:

The Dojo Kun promotes proper etiquette within the dojo, fostering respect for instructors, fellow students, and the training space itself. 

• Sense of Community:

Regularly reciting the Dojo Kun can create a sense of unity and shared values among students within a karate school. 

• Self-Reflection:

By regularly reviewing the principles of the Dojo Kun, students are encouraged to reflect on their own progress and identify areas where they can improve. 

These are 7 rules for behaviour in the Kyokushin dojo and everyday life. Below are English & Japanese versions of this Dojo Kun. The Kyokushin Dojo Kun is often recited by the whole class at the end of each training session. Kyokushin is a hard-style of Karate known for its full contact sparring and rigorous training.

English Version of Kyokushin Dojo Kun

• We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm unshaking spirit.
• We will pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so that in time our senses may be alert.
• With true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial.
• We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.
• We will follow our religious principles and never forget the true virtue of humility. Alternate Version – We will follow our God, and never forget the true virtue of humility.
• We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires.
• All our lives, through the discipline of Karate, we will seek to fulfil the true meaning of the Kyokushin Way.

Japanese Version

• Hitotsu, wareware wa, shinshin o renmashi, kakko fubatsu no shingi o kiwameru koto
• Hitotsu, wareware wa, bu no shinzui o kiwame, ki ni hasshi, kan ni bin naru koto
• Hitotsu, wareware wa, shitsujitsu gōken o motte, kokki no seishin o kanyo suru koto
• Hitotsu, wareware wa, reisetsu o omonji, chōjō o keishi sobō no furumai o tsutsushimu koto
• Hitotsu, wareware wa, shinbutsu o tōtobi, kenjō no bitoku o wasurezaru koto
• Hitotsu, wareware wa, chisei to tairyoku to o kōjō sase, koto ni nozonde ayamatazaru koto
• Hitotsu, wareware wa, shōgai no shūgyō o karate no michi ni tsūji, Kyokushin no michi o mattō suru koto

• We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm unshaking spirit.

Spirit, like body, needs to be trained. So I think it’s necessary to make your spirit stronger. When the mind, body and spirit work together, I believe anything is possible.

• We will pursue the true meaning of the Martial Way, so that in time our senses may be alert.

Karate-Do is definitely a martial way. It’s a way of life. It’s not a job, a sport, a hobby, or a game. It’s a part of you and the way you live your life. Following the Martial Way is like scaling a cliff. Continue upwards without rest. It demands absolute and unflattering devotion to the task at hand. Use your senses fully and let the alert stillness within you be the perceiver, rather than your mind.

• With true vigour, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial.

Self-denial and self-discipline, however, will be recognised as the outstanding qualities of a good warriors.

• We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence.

The path of Martial Arts begins and end with courtesy. So be genuinely polite on every occasion. When you are learning about a martial arts, it is about respect. Courtesy is the key that opens the doors to opportunity. Just imagine if every child learned the respect, courtesy, and discipline that martial arts teaches. The world would be a difference place.

• We will follow our religious principles and never forget the true virtue of humility.
  Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality. The principles of martial arts is not a thing that can be learned, like a science, by fact-finding and instructions in facts. It has to grow spontaneously, like a flower, in a mind free from emotions and desires.

• We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not seeking other desires. Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence. Knowing others is wisdom but knowing yourself is an enlightenment. You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.

All our lives, through the discipline of Karate, we will seek to fulfil the true meaning of the Kyokushin Way.

Karate is about discipline and the first discipline is showing up for class. Remember in the world of Martial Arts, One thousand days of lessons for the discipline and ten thousand days of lessons for mastery. So just hold the vision and trust the process.

Osu!!