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A dojo is a place where students
study "the way". It is the training hall of all the martial arts
or where competitions take place. "In early history, the word Dojo was used
for the mediation hall in Buddhist monasteries."1
A traditional dojo has a floor covered with Tatami.
Tatami is a type of mattress made from tightly compressed woven straw taken from
a rice plant. The tatami provides a safe surface for students to practice on.
The boarder of the tatami is covered with stitched cloth. The average size of
one tatami is 188 cm X 94 cm and is between 6 to 8 cm thick. Some modern day
tatami are made up of composite material similar to wrestling mats.
The size of a dojo is directly related to the
number of tatami covering the floor. The measurement obtained by placing two
tatami side by side along the longer edge is called a tsubo. A dojo with 18
tsubos has 36 tatami laid out covering an area approximately 10 m X 6 m (30' X
18'). The area surrounding the tatami should be raised so that the surface of
that tatami is level with the surrounding floor.
A dojo is also comprised of four sides. The side
where the teacher sits is called Kamiza, behind which is generally found an
alter. On the left side of Kamiza stands the highest grades (Joseki) and on the
right the lesser grades (Shimoseki).
Upon entering a dojo, and before stepping onto the
tatami, the student must remove their zori (sandals). Shoes are never permitted
on the surface of the tatami. This is to help promote cleanliness of the tatami
as well as helping prevent tearing of the surface by a shoe heal. The student
faces their zori outward with the heal facing the tatami. The sensei faces his
or her zori so that the toes face the tatami. This is a Japanese tradition
that is also taken into the home. The person who owns the home has their shoes
pointing toes first, visitors have their shoes pointing heal first. It signifies
that the guest is welcome to visit, but also is not expected to stay.
Care for the cleanliness of the dojo falls to each
and every one of the students, since it is their place of learning. Cleaning of
the tatami and surrounding area helps install pride in theirs school and helps reinforce a group experience.
1. A dictionary of the Martial Arts
by Louis Frederic
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