It may seem intimidating to enter a new place with a different kind of etiquette. At Red Dragon Jujitsu Club, we follow a few simple guidelines out of respect for the
dojo, or place of learning. If you cannot remember all the rules, try to follow a senior student’s lead, and just remember the basic idea of reverent open-mindedness.
First class
If you don’t have a judo or jujitsu uniform (or Gi), that’s fine - just
come dressed in t-shirt & sweat pants or shorts. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. You may also bring a notebook to take notes during class. If you decide to attend regularly, you will be asked to acquire a Gi (Jujitsu workout uniform). We can recommend places for you to purchase a Gi, but you may get one wherever you prefer.
Addressing the Instructor and Other students
The instructor in the class is called the Sensei, which means “one who has gone before.” During class, you should address the instructor as Sensei, Sir, or Ma’am (as appropriate). When outside of class, addressing your instructors on a first name basis is preferred.
Other students who are currently teaching you are generally addressed as Sir or Ma’am (as appropriate). This is done simply to show respect for each other. Students who are NOT currently teaching you are generally addressed on a first name basis.
The Bow
The bow, or rei, is the Jujitsu salute. It is done when you begin working out with a partner, and when you
stop working out with that partner. It shows respect for each other, and is an indication that you will start (or stop)
practicing with each other.
The bow is simply done by standing erect with feet together and hands on the front of the thighs.
Then, while looking at your partner, a bow is made by bending forward and sliding the hands down
the thighs to the knees for about one second, then standing straight again.
Entering/Leaving the Mat
The bow is used when entering or leaving the mat and the dojo. This signifies two things: First, it
lets others know that you are coming on the mat to practice with them. Second, it signifies that you
are leaving the worries of your life behind you during class. While you practice, you will do your best
to focus on the class and forget about the outside world. Then when class is done and you bow as
you leave, you may again address the rest of your life.
Students should get permission from the instructor before entering the mat once class has begun.
During class, students should get permission from the instructor before leaving the mat. These are safety
rules to let the instructor know who is on the mat and that no one is injured.
Beginning and ending the class
At the beginning of class the brown belts will be seated to the Instructor’s left, the blue belts and green belts to the Instructor’s right. All white belts will sit facing the instructor.
When signaled, the students bow to the instructor and the instructors return this respect. The class also ends with this procedure.
Horseplay is neither accepted nor respected on the jujitsu mat
Sportsmanship is king on the mat and safety is law
Sitting
Sitting on the mat is done in a certain way for the purpose of safety. Seiza
(say-zah), the first and preferred way for ceremonies and show of attentiveness, is on the knees with your buttocks resting on your feet. In the aspect of safety, if someone were to fall on someone sitting in this manner, the person falling would slide off and the person sitting would not get hurt.
Anza, the second way of sitting, is crossed legged. Unless you have an injury that prevents sitting in Seiza or Anza, any other way of sitting or reclining on the mat is considered highly impolite, inconsiderate, and extremely unsafe unless in the execution of an art.
The Tap
In jujitsu it has been found that when one wants to show submission, in place of saying anything which takes a considerable amount of time, he either taps the mat, himself, or his partner at least twice in rapid succession. It is easier and faster by far, as well as being safer. If you are in a position that prevents you from tapping with your hands, you may tap with your feet or say “Mate” (mät-e) or “Stop”.
General Rules
No student should engage in Randori without the instructor’s supervision or that of the senior students.
The student should never use any techniques not previously explained by an instructor. Complicated techniques, without previous experience or training, can lead to serious injury.
Fingernails and toenails should always be clipped short to prevent scratching or harming others. Jewelry must also be removed -
it can get snagged or caught and potentially hurt yourself or your partner. The gi must be free of pins and other hard or sharp objects which might be hazardous.
Students should maintain the highest degree of personal cleanliness. Jujitsu is a body contact art.
Students must be punctual at all scheduled meetings.
Students must obey the instructions of their seniors and their instructors.
Students should always be courteous and helpful to each other.
As with any physical activity, there is always the possibility of injury. However, safety is a vital concern and
always comes first when studying Jujitsu. The curriculum is set up so that students start with simple, easy,
and safe techniques, and move on to more complicated ones as their skills increase. One of the first things
you will learn to do is how to fall safely. Everything is done slowly and carefully in the beginning. Then,
as your skill progresses, the speed of technique will increase. In addition, we work around any disabilities,
or injuries to prevent further injury. Along these lines, everyone MUST inform their instructor and
workout partner of any injuries, disabilities, or other physical challenges. One of the principal goals of
Jujitsu is to maintain your personal safety; so all necessary steps are taken to protect the physical
well being of every student in class
Jujitsu literally means the “Gentle Art”. The primary goal of Jujitsu is the
perfection of character, not to learn to beat up someone. In the Danzan Ryu
system of Jujitsu you will learn how to resolve conflict through alternative,
non-violent means. If you are attacked and unable to avoid a fight, you will
learn a range of techniques to deal with that attack, from stopping the attack
without anyone being hurt, to subduing the attacker with painful joint locks
that may or may not cause injury, to more aggressive techniques that can cause serious
injury if you have no other alternatives.
In class you will be learning self defense techniques, but more importantly
you will learn self confidence, self control, and respect and caring for others
so that violence is not needed. With Jujitsu, as with other martial arts, your
knowledge of self defense will give you a great deal of self confidence when
confronted with a potentially violent situation. This confidence can free your
mind and your ego so that you think clearly about how to peacefully resolve
the situation. Consequently, learning Jujitsu or other methods of self defense
will make you LESS likely to become involved in fights or violent situations.
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The potential benefits of Jujitsu are many, and they will vary from person to
person. The following is a list of some benefits you can receive from your Jujitsu
practice:
In Jujitsu we wear a Gi, which is a strong, loose uniform that we use to
practice in. For your first few classes, just wear sweat pants or shorts
and a t-shirt. Once you decide to attend regularly we will ask you to acquire
a Gi, and we can tell you where to buy them. A Gi will typically cost $30-$60,
and it will last several years. We typically do not wear anything on our feet,
though martial arts shoes and/or socks are acceptable.
Women should wear a sports bra and t-shirt (not a tank top) under their Gi.
Men may want to wear a jock strap.
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There is no set time period to earn your Black Belt, and we do not have any
contracts or guarantees for earning a black belt - either you earn it, or you don’t.
The length of time it takes to progress from rank to rank will vary a lot depending
upon your personal skill level and how often you practice. A Black Belt can
be earned in as little as 2 years or it can take as lon as 10 or more years.
The average length of time is usually 4-5 years with consistent practice.
The amount of time it takes does not matter. You are not in a race and no one
will be keeping track of how long it takes you to earn a higher rank.
One of the goals of the various colored-belt tests is to prepare you for your
Shodan (first Black Belt) test. Generally, you will test for Shodan when
your Sensei is confident you are ready and you are able to demonstrate successfully
the proficiency required for that rank.
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Danzan Ryu is an effective system of self-defense which incorporates physical and mental
training within a philosophy of ethical and moral development. The founder, Master Henry
Seishiro Okazaki, designed this system to include defenses against knife, sword, clup, gun,
bayonet, and empty hand. He stressed the ancient principles of philosophical and moral
training while retaining the best arts of self-defense and physical restoration. This
synthesis of ancient and modern elements combined to form a complete system of Judo and
Jujitsu that we practice today. Danzan Ryu is the most widely taught self-defense Jujitsu
system in the United States. The Red Dragon Jujitsu Club is a member school of the American
Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF), one of the principal Danzan Ryu organizations in the
USA. As a member of the AJJF, you become part of a national organization that provides many
outstanding benefits to further your martial arts training.
Jujitsu literally translates to “Gentle Art”. This ancient martial art is believed
to have originated with the Samurai who used Jujitsu when confronted with combat situations
where they were unable to employ their weapons. Jujitsu uses the principles of leverage
and blending with an opponent’s energy to defend one’s self. Typically done with throws,
joint locks, chokes, and grappling. It is called gentle art because it relies upon
the application of leverage on weak points rather than hard strikes and blocks. It is called
a close-in art because you must be close enough to your opponent to grab him/her to use
Jujitsu techniques.
Visit the section about us for more information about Jujitsu and the Danzan Ryu system.
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You will be given a list of requirements to complete for each belt.
When both you and your instructor feel that you are ready, you will
test for your next belt. There are no scheduled belt tests – they just
happen when people are ready. Most techniques involve one person (the Tori)
performing a technique on another person (the Uke). For your test, you must
ask someone of equivalent or higher rank to be your Uke for your test. It is
typically considered an honor to be chosen as an Uke for a test. During the
test, the Sensei will ask you to perform a technique that is on your requirements
list. You will tell the Uke what he/she must do, and then demonstrate the
technique. The Sensei will go through everything on your requirements list
and may ask you questions about the techniques. The Sensei will grade your
test and inform you about whether or not you have passed. If you pass, you
will soon be given your new belt. If you fail, you will continue to practice
your techniques, especially ones you may have had trouble with during the test.
When you and your instructor again believe that you are ready, you will take
the test again.
In Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, we require that every student keep a notebook of his or
her Jujitsu studies. In this notebook you will write a short description
of how to perform each technique. The notebook can be used to store other
relevant Jujitsu or martial arts information as well. You will also have a
list of notebook requirements for each belt. Before each test, you must turn
in your completed notebook to your Sensei for grading. The purpose of the
notebook is to better learn and remember your techniques.
There are no fees for belt tests. The goal of these belt tests is
to prepare you for your black belt test. Generally, you will not
even take the test until your Sensei is confident that you will pass it.
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Yes. Red Dragon Jujitsu Club is a member of the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF).
The American Judo and Jujitsu Federation (AJJF) is a nonprofit,
tax-exempt corporation represented by Jujitsu, Judo and other martial arts schools
across the nation, and the world. Most individual members of the AJJF are associated
with AJJF schools, although this is not a requirement. Membership in the AJJF
is non-discriminatory.
The AJJF promotes the DanZan Ryu system of Jujitsu, an effective system
of self-defense that incorporates physical and mental training within a
philosophy of ethical and moral development. As a member of the American
Judo and Jujitsu Federation, you become part of a national organization that
provides the many benefits described below.
The AJJF tests and certifies DanZan Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt ranks.
High standards of skill, knowledge, proficiency and ethical conduct are required
for a nationally recognized AJJF DanZan Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt rank. Hundreds of
men and women currently hold AJJF Black Belt ranks.
As a member of the Red Dragon Jujitsu Club, you will also be asked to join
the AJJF. With this membership you may attend any of their national or region
conventions, and your black belt will be certified by the organization. This
means that your belt will be recognized in any other AJJF school. The AJJF
also develops and manages the student curriculum.
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If you don't have a Judo or Jujitsu uniform (gi), that's fine - just come dressed in T-shirt
& sweat pants or shorts. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. You may also bring a
notebook to take notes during class. We have an introductory program where someone from
our Kokua (welcome) Team will introduce you to our school, our etiquette, and work
with you on basic rolls, falls, and a few hand techniques. When you are comfortable, you
will join the main class with the rest of the students. If you decide to attend
regularly, you will need to purchase a gi uniform that we can provide for you for a
modest charge.
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People who have had previous martial arts experience typically adjust to our system
rapidly. Someone from our Kokua Team will talk with you to discuss your
training experience, your desired personal outcomes and help integrate you into our
regular class. Unless you have come from another Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Dojo, you
will start out as a White Belt, learning our system from the beginning. Progress in rank
will occur as you demonstrate increasing proficienty in the arts.
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