Reishiki

(Ceremonial Form)

Reishiki is important for self-discipline and safety during the practice, since it reminds the students that they are there to study seriously. The details of laying out equipment and the precise form Reishiki takes will vary from Dojo to Dojo but that given here is fairly typical. The student when visiting merely follows the particular form of that school. A training session without Reishiki will be casual and lacking in form, which prevents the development of united spirit among students and also leads to accidents. The effect of Reishiki is that from the moment of entering the Dojo all outside thoughts are to be put aside until we leave again and to create a proper atmosphere for serious study. The atmosphere should not be over strict or depressing. Amusing incidents often occur and the students should feel free to laugh or talk providing that this is not interfering with training. In actual fact the student is normally fully occupied during training and so discipline is hardly a problem. Enforced discipline is of little worth. The student must himself want to follow his own discipline and etiquette to build his character.