The Dojo Kun


The ‘dojo kun’ are, basically, the rules of the Dojo. These rules were laid down by the Okinawan master of Karate, Sakugawa Shungo. He based these rules on the Chinese rules, which date back to the era of Bodhidharma. The rules were recited at the end of every training session by the highest grade student, then repeated by the other students.

JapaneseEnglish Translation
Hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto.

Hitotsu, makoto no michi o mamoru koto.

Hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.

Hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto.

Hitotsu, kekki no yu o imashimuru koto.

To seek the perfection of character

To follow the path of truth

To cultivate the spirit of effort

To esteem etiquette

To admonish brute courage



The ‘dojo kun’ are, basically, the rules of the Dojo.

The rules were recited at the end of every training session by the highest grade student, then repeated by the other students.