Dojo
142512
225412152
2008-07-13T15:26:48Z
220.109.159.150
{{unreferenced|date=October 2007}}
{{otheruses1|training halls}}
{{infobox martial art term
| pic = Noma Dojo, 2006.JPG
| piccap = A [[kendo]] dojo.
| kanji = 道場
| hiragana = どうじょう
| revhep = dōjō
| kunrei = dôzyô
}}A {{nihongo|'''dojo'''|[[wikt:道場|道場]]|dōjō}} is a [[Japanese language|Japanese]] term which literally means "place of the Way". Initially, Dojo were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese ''do'' arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of a [[martial arts]] style to conduct training, examinations and other related encounters.
The concept of a dojo as a martial arts training place is a [[West]]ern concept; in [[Japan]], any physical training facility, including [[professional wrestling school]]s may be called dojos as well depending on the context.
== Martial arts dōjō ==
A proper [[Japanese martial arts]] dōjō is considered special and is well cared for by its users. In many styles it is traditional to conduct a ritual cleaning of the dōjō at the end of each training session (called souji, which translates from Japanese as "cleaning"). Besides the obvious hygienic benefits of regular cleaning it also serves to reinforce the fact that dojo are supposed to be supported and managed by the student body, not the school's instructional staff. This attitude has become lost in many modern, commercial dōjō that are founded and run by a small group of people or instructors. In fact, it is not uncommon that in traditional schools ([[koryu]]), dōjō are rarely used for training at all, instead being reserved for more symbolic or formal occasions. The actual training is conducted typically outdoors or in a less formal area.
Many traditional dōjō follow a prescribed pattern with shomen ("front") and various entrances that are used based on student and instructor rank laid out precisely. Typically students will enter in the lower-left corner of the dōjō (in reference to the shomen) with instructors in the upper right corner. Shomen typically contains [[kamidana]]—an area for a [[Shinto|Shintō]] shrine and other artifacts. The term [[kamiza]] is frequently confused by martial arts practitioners with the Kamidana. Many other artifacts may be displayed throughout the dōjō, such as [[kanban]] that authorize the school in a style or strategy, and items such as [[taiko|taiko drums]] or [[armor]] ([[O-yoroi|yoroi]]). It is not uncommon to find the name of the dōjō and the [[dojo kun|dōjō kun]] (roughly "dōjō rules") displayed prominently at shomen as well. Visitors also typically have a special place reserved, depending on their rank and station. Weapons and other training gear will normally be found on the back wall.
A fine example of a traditional [[kendō]] dōjō is [[Noma dojo]] in [[Tokyo]].
A ''hombu dōjō'' or ''honbu dōjō'' of a style is considered the administrative and stylistic headquarters or a particular martial arts style or group. This does not necessarily mean that they are large or ostentatious.
Some well-known hombu dōjō located in Japan are:
*[[Kodokan]]
*[[Aikikai hombu dojo]]
*[[Bujinkan Hombu Dojo]]
==Dōjō in Zen Buddhism==
'''Dōjō''' is also used to describe the meditation halls where [[Zen]] Buddhists practice [[zazen]] meditation. It is sometimes used instead of the term "[[zendo]]" which is more specific, and more widely used. European [[Soto]] [[Zen]] groups affiliated with the International Zen Association prefer to use "dōjō" instead of zendo to describe their meditation halls as did their founding master, [[Taisen Deshimaru]].
== See also ==
* [[McDojo]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=386 Hidden and deeper meanings in dojo layout]
[[Category:Japanese martial arts terms]]
[[Category:Japanese words and phrases]]
[[Category:Dojos|*]]
[[Category:Zen terms]]
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