Judo Etiquette

The Traditional Japanese Dojo

So many of the potential western students that wish to take a martial art see a sign or talk to a buddy, think they can walk right in with their shoes on and say "Hey, I am here to sign up for classes. How much is it going to cost?, when do I start?, and when do I make my Black Belt?" This may be very true for a commercial school.  The truth of the matter is you pay a lot and get nothing much in return.
In a traditional Judo Dojo you have to be accepted as a student by the instructor first and foremost.  Your first contact with the Sensei might come as a great shock to you.  You must understand the fundamental difference between a commercial school and a Dojo.  The truth is that you have come to him for instruction, he has not come to you.  The source of the conflict that it is the Sensei's Dojo and as the instructor, he runs his Dojo by his rules.
As a beginner you will probably think that Dojo is just a Japanese word for martial arts school.  Nothing could be further from the truth. One factor that a new student of Judo should keep in mind is the Dojo is not a school, and its purpose is many fold.  The prime objective of a Judo Dojo is the continuance of Judo.  The Sensei is obliged to instruct his students, as he was taught by his former Sensei.  The students he teaches are left up to the Sensei.  The Sensei does not have to accept new students if he wishes not to do so.  If you are accepted as a student of a Dojo and the Sensei feels that you will be a great credit to Judo and his Dojo you should feel very honoured to be accepted as one of his students.
As a student you are expected to attend every class possible and make the most of each and every training session.  You should always be loyal to your Dojo and your Sensei.  If you wish to travel to or visit another Dojo in your area always ask the permission of your Sensei before doing so.  If he or she says no, then take it for what it is worth and do not ask why, as his reasons are his own and best left alone.  Some of the reasons may be the Dojo you wish to visit does not instruct good Judo, or they teach techniques that are beyond your limits, etc.
Proper Japanese etiquette (reishiki) must always be upheld at the highest level.  There are too many rules for you to learn all at once.  In time you will learn them.  Your instructor can be any Black Belt rank, the higher ranked your instructor the more respect should be given.
A great myth is that there is a religion that goes along with Judo, not true.  There is no religion taught with Judo.  Please keep in mind that Judo came from Japan and it is a Japanese sport, and it has many Japanese customs along with it.  These may seem very strange to a Westerner, even ridiculous to some.  That's the point, those who feel that way have no business in a Judo Dojo.  The Sensei of such a Dojo is not satisfied with having you like the place and want to study there, he wants love at first sight.  For you do not truly join a Dojo, you own a part of it.  Don't look for a window full of trophies, as we don't sell trophies.  We promote and teach the old method of Judo that my former Sensei's taught me. Judo is not like other sports.  You put in to it, and get back two to three times what you gave.