Our School Creed

The purpose of our School Creed, or "Dojo Kun" (pronounced: "doh-joh-coon") in Japanese, is to encourage a clear understanding among our students of the numerous responsibilities involved in Shintokukai membership. Classical martial arts are not just about punching and kicking, as it is often thought, but are also about respect: both self-respect and respect for one's fellow Human Beings.

Our students are taught to temper their newly acquired skills with restraint and reason, as well as through the practice of traditional Japanese etiquette, or reigi. Careful controls are put in place in order to ensure the peaceful development of our students. Otherwise, skills learned can quickly degenerate into merely another, albeit sophisticated, form of violence based in fear and anger instead of what the proper training is meant to provide: a form of personal empowerment based in the management and control of fear and the cultivation of inner peace.

As students' skills expand in number and quality, so should their level of respect and understanding of the creed. In fact, our school creed is viewed as a verbal contract between teacher and student wherein both parties are expected to uphold the principles of the creed at all times. This way a safe and socially responsible environment is upheld wherein Karate and Kobudo training continue to benefit society, as they have for the past several centuries.

School Creed in English

School Creed:

I will be a faithful and loyal member of Shintokukai.
I will never use my acquired skills outside of the dojo except as a last resort and for defensive purposes only.
I will not teach skills I have learned as a member of Shintokukai without permission.
I will consistently show respect and courtesy to all members, especially to my seniors and teachers.
I will, when called upon to represent Shintokukai, maintain the honor and dignity of the organization at all times.
I will never make false statements to other members of Shintokukai.
I will behave in a positive and constructive manner in all my interactions with fellow members.
I hereby provide my personal oath to hold true to these standards of conduct.

My name is ...

 

         


School Creed in Japanese:

Dojo Kun:

Watashiwa Shintokukai no ichi in toshite chuuseio chikaimasu.
Watashiwa Karate wo goshin no tamedake ni tukaimasu.
Watashiwa hokanohito ni taishite sonkeino nen to reigi o haraimasu.
Watashiwa Shintokukai no ichi in toshite hokorio mochimasu.
Watashiwa shinjitu dakeo tankyu shi hanashimasu.
Watashiwa tsuneni sekkyokutehide arukoto wo chikaimasu.
Watashiwa korera no chikai wo shougai mamorimasu.

Watashiwa ... desu.