Shotokan Karate ​

"Dojo kun" is a Japanese martial arts term literally meaning (training hall) rules. They are generally posted at the entrance to dojo or at the "front" of the dojo (shomen) and outline behaviour expected and disallowed. In some styles of martial arts they are recited at the end of a class. the Shotokan Karate dojo kun serves as a set of five guiding principles, recited at the end of each Shotokan training session, intended to frame the practice within an ethical context.The five rules are roughly translated as: 

 

 

Each person must strive for the completion and perfection of one's character.

Each person must be faithful and protect the way of truth.

Each person must endeavor (fostering the spirit of effort).

Each person must respect others and the rules of etiquette.

Each person must refrain from violent behavior (guard against impetuous courage).

 

A more terse translation is used by the ISKF and JKA is roughly translated as:

 

Strive for completion of character (or Seek perfection of character)

Be Faithful

Endeavor

Respect others

Refrain from violent behavior

 

 

The dojo kun also appears in various other martial arts styles, with alterations according to the general precepts of that style. The word Hitotsu means "one" or "first" and is prepended to each rule to place it at the same level of importance as the others. The word koto which ends each rule means "thing" and is used as a conjunction between rules.