NINJUTSU INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION POLICY
DOJO ETIQUETTE
All members are expected to know and follow all of these guidelines. Please make yourself familiar with the ‘Dojo rules, manners and behaviour’ document and online terms and conditions as well as these guidelines.
BE PUNCTUAL
Please respect your fellow students by arriving to class on time. Training in a dojo is a group learning experience as well as an individual one. The formal ‘bow in’ and ‘bow out’ is a tradition to be respected and must be performed every class. If you do arrive after the class has bowed in, do the formal kneeling ‘bow in’ facing the class, by the entrance to the training floor and wait there quietly in seiza until recognized by the instructor to come onto the mat/training space. Remember to bow to the Sensei teaching the class
as well as the dojo space as you enter. Late attendance means class doesn’t count towards grading.
ATTENDANCE
All students are expected to attend or train in at least one session per week. Every attempt should be made to schedule outside activities around class meeting times. It is in the student’s own interest to obtain the most instruction possible plus apply maximum effort and diligence to study. Students can train as often as desired for our unlimited access fee. 37 lessons min out of 46 (80%) required for each level (Shodan-ho = all 46).
DOJO SAFETY
The attitude in the dojo is one of respect for yourself as well as for others. NO swearing, inappropriate or foul language, NO running around or boisterous behaviour in the dojo outside of training requirements. We train for growth and understanding. Competition shall not be brought into the training. Disrespect, swearing, abusiveness, violence and unwarranted aggression is a statement of weakness, not strength. Treat your training partner with respect this includes training to their limitations, getting permission before handling any training equipment other than your own. Do not use/handle any weapons outside of the weapons training period. Sharp blades with any cutting edge must be brought to the instructor’s attention and used only at the appropriate level and only at the discretion and under supervision of a Sensei. No food is allowed on the Dojo training floor and do not leave rubbish in the dojo. Remove ALL jewellery before training.
DRESS CODE
The proper dress code requires our black or dark indigo Shozoku (pants and jacket uniform) as supplied by the organisation with screen printing and embroidery and an Obi (belt) with a colour that matches your current ranking. A plain black t-shirt, singlet, crop top or a Ninjutsu International logo t-shirt can be worn under the training top (optional). T-Shirts may not be worn instead of the Jacket at any time.
Any appropriate insignia should be worn on the uniform in the proper places with the organisation insignia on the left front side over the ‘heart’. Do not wear other martial arts insignia especially the Tomoe (looks like the Roku Daijin). The Roku Daijin must be earned and may be worn only if it has been officially awarded.
No level insignia or incomplete uniform, wrong coloured T-shirt etc. = No training, No exception!
OTHER MARTIAL ARTS
While we acknowledge, respect and even practice defences against other Martial Art systems at times in our training, we must keep in mind that this dojo is a Ninjutsu training hall (we are NOT a MMA or freestyle organisation). It is for this reason that we do not permit other martial arts to be demonstrated or practiced in our dojo during class unless authorized by Sosai Garyu. Do not bring other arts weapons to our dojo or attempt to train in weapons above your level. The practice of arts other than Ninjutsu shall be practiced elsewhere and/or at another time if so desired.
Please note: levels in Ninjutsu are not considered in the same way as in other styles, one’s actual ability to perform the techniques of our style proficiently is the only true indicator of one’s knowledge and skill, not the colour of a ‘belt’ worn. Pay respect to all other students and teachers alike regardless of level.
DO NOT belittle or boss around a ‘lower’ rank or assume a ‘lower’ rank is less of a Martial Artist, they simply have not been on the journey as long as you might have been.
Levels of significance are Hiden 1st Dan (4+ years min) for mastering Ninpo Taijutsu and the basics of all 9 styles and personal achievement, 5th Dan (approx. 10-15 years) for becoming a fully licensed Senior Instructor (Shidoshi) and 10th Dan (approx. 15-30 years) for mastering the 9 styles (each Dan is one of the 9 styles).
Then Godai (5 elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void) and Deep spiritual Practice (personal choice) studies continue until Menkyo Kaiten, 5th level 10th Dan (approx. 20-40 years on).
Note; time frames in these higher (Dan) ranks are not carved in stone, different individuals with different life experiences and abilities will naturally progress at a different pace, the amount of practice and commitment one has will also play a large part.
Kids (U18) rules summary
DO NOT BE LATE TO CLASS, take off shoes etc. go to toilet and have a drink. If student is late, class will not count towards grading. Students must attend 80% of lessons to be eligible for next belt level. 37 min out of 46 / training term.
DO NOT run around, chase or harass other members before, during or after the class. Be calm and wait to start.
BEHAVE like a true BODOKA (Practitioner of the warrior ways) with calm dignity, manners, respect & honour.
ALWAYS BOW WITH RESPECT when entering and leaving the dojo/training area (including drink/toilet breaks), after talking to a Sensei and Formal Bow before & after class.
REPLY BY SAYING ‘HAI’ (YES) WITH A RESPECTFUL BOW (from the waist, not just a nod) when a sensei gives you or the whole class a direction or calls for your attention (calls your name). BE RESPECTFUL, POSITIVE, HELPFUL and FRIENDLY to all other members. NO SWEARING, BAD LANGUAGE or AGGRESSIVE behaviour including ‘play’ fighting at any time.
NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS or LAUGHING at other members SHOW COMPASSION and RESPECT.
DO NOT TALK OR MAKE STATEMENTS in class unless acknowledged by Sensei or discussing training with partner.
DO NOT MAKE DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS TO, OR ARGUE WITH SENSEI AT ANY TIME, what sensei says is final, do not offer suggestions as to what to do in the class e.g. how to do technique or what game etc.
PAY ATTENTION, Sensei having to repeat things wastes time (YOUR TRAINING TIME!).
REPORT ANY injuries to sensei immediately (before class if pre-existing).
ALWAYS WEAR THE PROPER UNIFORM, make sure it is clean & tidy, Jacket will be worn at ALL times and a plain black T-shirt (no design) or our Ninjutsu Internationals T’s, if you wear a singlet or T-Shirt under the jacket it must be plain black or the Ninjutsu International T-shirt. No shorts, uniform pants only.
NO or INCOMPLETE UNIFORM, WRONG COLOUR ‘T’ and/or NO BELT = NO TRAINING, NO EXCEPTION!
CLEAN & TRIMMED FINGER/TOE NAILS (health and safety) take PRIDE in your APPEARANCE.
DO NOT BRING VALUABLES TO CLASS. Place your shoes and personal property neatly by the seats near the entrance (turn Mobiles off). Valuables are the members’ responsibility, do not hand them to sensei. DO NOT WEAR ANY JEWELLERY when training (except. Medi-alert &/or Roku Daijin).
NO EATING on the TRAINING FLOOR in the Dojo unless permitted by Sensei including chewing gum/lollies etc.
DRINK/TOILET BREAKS ONLY when instructed to by Sensei (after ‘warm up’ & halfway through a physically demanding class). BRING A WATER BOTTLE to all training sessions. SHOW RESPECT to our DOJO – DO NOT LEAVE RUBBISH in the DOJO.
PARENTS / SPECTATORS are required to remain quiet, not interject or call out to the members during class (it’s distracting to the student & undermines the instructors authority), for safety reasons parents & spectators are asked not to try to teach or instruct students at any time, We reserve the right to eject anyone from the dojo not respecting these rules, parents incl.
HEAD SENSEI in the class will sit out anyone how fails to abide by these and the general membership rules; All students may receive 1 warning followed by full or partial class sit out. This is at the head sensei’s discretion. Partial sit out is for 10 mins, no warnings for a 2nd sit out or serious misconduct (no return for rest of the class).
Serious misconduct by any student eg. aggression, violence, abusive/foul language, disrespect, failure to follow instruction = instant sit out for rest of class. Serious or second sit out will mean the class does not count towards the assessments/gradings.
DO NOT TEACH OTHERS NINJUTSU UNTIL YOU ARE AN OFFICIAL SENSEI AUTHORIZED BY NINJUTSU INTERNATIONAL TO TEACH IN OUR ORGANISATION (Sempai/Deshi/Joshu can teach under supervision only)
Teaching includes demonstrating technique. Breaking this final rule can result in you being banned from our organisation.
Above all else remember Budo begins and ends in RESPECT and that begins with you!
Ninpo Ikkan,
Sosai Garyu