Some Terms
Budo and Bujutsu
(Suzuki 88).
In Japanese, Budo and Bujutsu are used almost interchangeably to refer to any type of Japanese martial arts, however Bujutsu carries the connotation of only looking at martial techniques, while Budo looks at martial arts as a mindset towards practice, life, and philosophy.
Do means way,
Jutsu means art or technique,
Jujutsu means gentle techniques, Judo means the gentle way, Aikido means the harmonious way.
Dojo, comes from "Do" way, and "Jo" place; thus: place of the Way (Etymonline)
While the word has become sensationalized, it is important for this chapter to remember that these places often have deep meaning imbedded into them by the people who practice here.
Shomen
(Don Sensei, Q12. Suzuki 90)
The spiritual head of the dojo. Many ceremonies, contests, and katas are performed oriented around the Shomen. Even when practicing in a completely unrelated space, such as in a multipurpose room or gym, if you’re training traditional Japanese martial arts a Shomen is temporarily designated and respected.
The Shomen is descended from Shinto shrines that were present in original Japanese dojos. Today, it is relatively rare to find dojos that still observe Shintoism, and the Shomen has evolved to hold unique meanings to each Sensei when they establish their dojo. Anecdotally, I have often seen it used as a way holding respect for both the schools martial tradition as well as respect for the practice. For example, in one dojo I attended the Shomen only featured a complete lineage of the school, pictures of my sensei’s sensei (my teachers teacher), and his sensei, up to the original founder of our style. At Aikikai, it features a picture of the original founder as well as two scrolls meditating on the philosophy behind out practice (Victory over oneself, and the state of empty mind)
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