The hardest requirement...

[lordtariel]

Well, I passed all my testing requirements for 8th kyu. I also have all but one of the extracurricular requirements done. These are usually non-testable oriented things such as Japanese terms, participating in tournaments and demos, helping other students, being aware of what's up on dojo announcment boards, greeting new students, ect. The one that is hard to get is participating in dojo cleanup. It's not so much that I'm lazy and don't want to do it, but when it's a requirement for every rank, there's usually not much left over to clean. Sensei's sure got a clean dojo. I find it amusing that it's the hardest requirement to get. Fortunatly, helping set up and tear down during tournament counts, so I'll get it covered about a day before the promotion deadline. Just an amusing situation I'd like to share.

[KamasandSais]

ask if you can wax his car instead

[Zorbasan]

i find it odd that cleaning the dojo is part of the requirement for your grades.

you pay this person for the right to be taught and use their facilities, and if people want to help him tidy up thats great, he can even ask for assistance. but to make it a requirement for grading is a bit overboard in my book.

instructors?

[gheinisch]

Maybe in today's world it's a little unusual but our Instructor who has 41 yrs. experience tells us stories of when he first started in the Martial Arts. Before class all students had to clean the floors with damp towels and then use dry ones to get the moisture off. After class they also had to clean the floors the same way to get all the sweat up. In his words "and we were paying for this". Back then they also brought in Ken Ogawa from Japan(all Japan 1972) to teach for a while, he used to whack the students on the their back with a split bamboo rod to correct them. Our instructor laughs and says "you can't do that this days."

[parkerlineage]

Old school rules say you clean sensei's dojo. New school thinking says, "And pay you, too? What am I, your janitor?"

I have no opinion either way. I think it's kind of stupid, but, hey - who am I to argue with tradition? See, I get paid to instruct and clean the dojo - so I'm cool with that. Plus, I wouldn't mind some free janitorial work when I own my dojo...hehe...

[Jiffy]

I can see your point, but it's an old tradition and old training methods. We too had to sweep the floor before every class. It's not really a case of he wants a clean dojo, it's a case of Martial Arts being integrated with oriental ettiquete and respect, something that is hard for us westerners to grasp the concept of.

"Our is not to ask, but to do"

This means that you don't ask why, you just do it, even if it doesn't make sence. This theory has been around for a long time. Not just in oriental culture, but look in most Armies. They still today hold these same values, and yes, even in our westernised countries.

I'm not saying it's a good practise or a bad practise, I'm just saying that it's a common and well established one.

For me personally, I don't teach this way. Partly because I think it has there is more to teaching than that, and partly because that is not the way Sensei wants the class taught. When I branch out on my own though (probably early next year), I will certainly adobt a bit more of this type phylosophy. I think it brings back some of the essence of MA. I just think that we can't quite take it to the level we used to. One good thing about it, I rekon we will certainly have less issues with Juniors being disruptive!

[bushido_man96]

Ah, the good ol' days. I remember these obligations to the dojang. It is kind of a nice sentiment, and teaches a little humility and a little respect to the place you practice. Is it necessary? Not really. Is it a nice gesture? Sure. If my instructor asks, will I do it? Yes. Will I ever offer to do it? Now, not so much, because our dojang is in a gym, and he has employees who get paid to do these kind of things. I wouldn't want to take their work from them!

[KarateK]

Good luck with the testing though Lordtariel, you have proved your commitment and this only shows strength in character

[cathal]

When I was a teenager one of the requirements was to lead the class's warmup and cooldown.

[KarateK]

Have to say though - nice to see a guy doing some housework for a change lol!!!