Guiding Principles

At "Spirit First Martial Arts" Dojo we follow and teach the guiding principles of the Dojo Kun, as originally taught by "Tode" Sakugawa (1733-1815)

The golden rule of "treating people as you wish to be treated" is fundamental in these principles.

• • 
  • Hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto.
  • One, to strive for the perfection of character.
  • Try to be the best person you can be.
• • 
  • Hitotsu, makoto no michi o mamoru koto.
  • One, to defend the path of truth.
  • Be honest - with yourself and with others.
• • 
  • Hitotsu, doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto.
  • One, to foster the spirit of effort.
  • Work hard and encourage those around you.
• • 
  • Hitotsu, reigi o omonzuru koto.
  • One, to honor the principles of etiquette.
  • Be polite and respectful. Follow the rules.
• • 
  • Hitotsu, ketsuki no yu o imashimuru koto.
  • One, to guard against impetuous courage.
  • Think before you act - you have to be responsible for your actions.

Point of interest:

As you may of noticed, each of these five principles starts with the number "one" and maybe you even started to wonder: Why aren't they numbered from one to five?. If this is the case you are certainly asking the right question and the answer is quite important: each and every one of these five principles is equally important to follow. The above listed order is the most common way of displaying them, but in fact it doesn't matter which one you say or follow first as you should always follow all five of them.