Today I will share the in depth explanation of Dojo Kun 道場訓.

Dojo Kun: Five principles or teachings from Master Funakoshi

Dojo is a place where we practice karate, but the literal meaning of Dojo is a place where students seek
to find the way of life. Kun means “lesson”, “teaching” or “instruction”. Therefore, putting those two
words together, Dojo Kun means a set of guide line we can use to seek the way of life through the
practice of karate.

Here is the explanation of each Kun:

1. Jinkaku kansei ni tsumomuru koto: (Seek perfection of character)

Jinkaku　人格 – one’s character, self
Kansei 　完成– to perfect, complete
Tsutomuru 　努むる– to try, make an effort

2. Makoto no michi wo mamoru koto: (Be faithful)

The English translation of this kun is misleading. This second kun is the most difficult one to translate
to describe its full meaning. This is because “makoto　誠” has a complex meaning. It covers all the
meaning of to be sincere, the truthfulness, genuineness.
Mamoru 　守る– to protect, uphold
The better translation may be “We uphold the way of genuiness and truthfulness”, meaning as a karate-
ka we must be always truthful and the character we are striving for must be genuine.

3. Doryoku no seishin wo motomuru koto: (Endeavor)

Doryoku 　努力– effort, endeavor
Seishin　精神 – will power, discipline, spirit
Motomuru 　求むる– to seek, search
The better translation may be “We cultivate the will power to strive harder”. What is important is not
only we need to make an effort to do better but also to build a strong will power.

4. Reigi wo omonjiru koto (Respect others)

Reigi 　礼儀– courtesy, etiquette, good manners
Omonjiru 　重んじる– to value, respect, honor
So it means we not only need to show respect to others but also to keep courteous manners at all times.

5. Kekki no yu wo imasimuru koto (Refrain from the violent behavior)

Kekki 　血気– literal meaning of this word is “youthful ardor” but typically it means hot temper or
overly excited emotions (especially anger).
Yu 　勇– courage, bravely
Imashimuru 　戒むる– to admonish
This kun can be explained as “we discourage the foolish bravely or hot temper coming from
uncontrolled emotions”.

Hopefully, we now have better understanding of Dojo Kun. It is important to understand the full
meaning as we recite each Kun. I am convinced that we can improve our daily lives by trying to follow
these teachings. Regardless of one’s religious belief or practice, these teachings can be beneficial to all
the students who wish to increase his/her self worth and value through the practice of karate.
Besides Dojo Kun, Master Funakoshi left a set of 20 teachings that are more concrete guide line of
karate-do. I will post the explanation of Niju kun in the near future. Oss

The attached Dojo Kun photo here was hand written by Master Tetsuhiko Asai. You can see his
techniques in his beautiful and powerful writing. This is exactly what Musashi meant by "One mastery
of one skill will show in all other skills"