Judo Etiquette page 2

The Judo Dojo should always have ample room so that the players have at least eight feet between players for safety.  The ceiling should be high enough that a tall player can do a high throw such as Kata-guruma (shoulder wheel) safely. The mat surface of the Dojo should be kept clean and in good repair at all times. You as students should help the Sensei by vacuuming and mopping occasionally to keep the Tatami clean.  The Sensei has many things to do to keep the Dojo going.  Any help is greatly appreciated by him to keep the Dojo clean. Many mat types may be used. It depends on what the Dojo can afford.  The more traditional Judo clubs will have Judo Tatami's (rice straw mats, three feet by 6 feet by 2 inches thick, with vinyl covering).  These are very expensive, and should be left in place whenever possible.  If these are not affordable, school wrestling mat can be used.  A good sized Dojo should have at least a fifty foot area.  This is to have enough room for people to work out without getting hurt.  A Judo Dojo with little or no space to work out will hamper development of high skill levels.

The Dojo should always be a place for serious study of Judo.  When you enter any Dojo you should enter with a clean mind, and pay attention to all instruction given.  All students must be on their best behaviour at all times in the Dojo: each student should set a high standard of discipline. The higher ranked students are expected to set an example while in the Dojo for the lower grade students to follow.
Among the traditional fixtures of any Judo Dojo is a NAFUDAKAKE or name board.  All members of the Dojo are listed on the board according to belt rank, with the most senior ranks listed first, then moving down the board.  For the board to be of any use it must be kept up to date.  Not many Australian Judo Dojos use this item in the Dojo.  Also there should always be a picture of Jigoro Kano in the KAMIZA area (JOSEKI) seat of honour.  There should also be an area for all Judoka to put their shoes or slippers prior to going on the mat surface.
The word Dojo has many meanings, such as exercise hall, practice hall or place of learning the way.  It formally was used by Buddhist monks in reference to worship, it also could be a meditation hall or club.  As you can see it can mean a great many things to the martial arts that you are studying.  Our sport being Judo, we refer to it as a Judo Dojo.
If you are a spectator at a Judo Dojo remember you are a guest and expected to act like one at all times.  Instructors take a dim view of spectators who sit and talk to others in the Dojo spectator area and disrupt classes.  A Judo Dojo is a place for practice and many Judo Dojos do not have a space for spectators.  If you are not offered a seat do not be offended, as you are a guest and the purpose of the Dojo is to train Judo players and not entertain you.  If you are a parent and you are sitting on the sidelines, you are not to give them any instructions from the sidelines and at no time are you allowed to go on the mat to help instruct your child.  Many instructors will ask you to leave the Dojo.  When you or your child is at the Dojo, it is up to the Sensei, not you, to give instruction.