Blog: Expectations, Rules and Awareness at the Dojo

The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo strives to be a place of budo training and community since opening its doors in 1997.

An important aspect of this is the atmosphere and standards we aim to provide during our classes and events.

Recently there has been an increase in undesirable activities observed at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. This includes smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, bringing pets, unauthorized pictures and recordings, and walking around on the mats instead of training. There have even been requests to camp/sleep in a car at the dojo during special events. These activities hinder dojo members and visitors who train in earnest to improve.

To be clear, these activities are prohibited.

The dojo is a place for budo training and refinement, discipline and respect, and community. While we enjoy the camaraderie that training brings, please help maintain the rules and expectations of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo for the betterment of all.

(If this isn't feasible for you, we respect your decision but request you no longer participate in keiko at our dojo.)

Additionally, guidelines for participation in the Bujinkan can be found at https://www.bujinkan.com/guidelines.htm

Additional Perspective:

One consistent element of a good practitioner is their ability to naturally know the rules of a situation. Training and a keen sense of observation helps determine the balance of things. Good students of the Bujinkan understand it's best not to disrupt, and that certain liberties are not theirs to take. Especially at a dojo. At times, we need a reminder of these things. A teacher years ago stopped a seminar midsession to accost attendees who were talking too much and not practicing what was shown. We all fall into bad habits and need reminders from time to time of what's acceptable. The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo's message is a reminder of that. Training should teach us to read a situation and naturally observe what is acceptable, perceive danger, reduce disruptions, and find harmony in a situation. The dojo is not a place to request favors or ask for exceptions. In some ways, respect is the first step of being a good uke; participation by reading the situation and harmonizing naturally with it.

Banpen fugyo!