Kodokan Boston is an organization dedicated to training the Okinawan martial arts of Goju Ryu Karate Do and Matayoshi Kobudo. Membership is by invitation of the organization. We are organized as a club, and none of us makes a profit from the dojo; dues are collected in order to meet necessary expenses, such as rent.

Our goals in training are the development of the practitioners’ body, mind, and spirit and the improvement of self defense skills through the practice of traditional Okinawan martial arts. We train in a non-competitive environment; each member works not only to improve him or her self, but to help the other members improve as well. Our training consists primarily of stretching, calisthenics, kata (form) practice, and paired practice working with the techniques embodied in the kata (kata bunkai kumite). We do not participate in competitive events, in or outside of the dojo, as we do not feel that competition fosters the type of development we are aiming at, nor does it foster the development of proper self-defense skills. In our dojo, we aim to train hard, work together to develop our skills, and enjoy our training. One important aspect of our training is that while students often act as opponents in the dojo, this is done with the understanding that we are all working together to develop our skills, and our spirit.

Our training sessions are 2 hours long, twice a week, with a third session of open training on most weekends. Training consists of approximately 45 minutes of stretching, calisthenics, warm up exercises, and basic drills, followed by practice of kata, and paired exercises. There is considerable contact in the paired exercises, though this is controlled and organized to teach techniques while minimizing risk to participants. Contact on blows to the head is prohibited.

Protective equipment is not worn in any of our training sessions (though a cup or other protective equipment may be worn if desired). We also conduct training in weapons (Kobudo) for students of yon-kyu (green belt) and above, and at the invitation of the kobudo instructor.

Testing and promotion in the dojo are at the discretion of the dojo seniors. There are regularly scheduled tests every quarter. While everyone participates in testing and quarterly evaluations, promotion depends on the individual’s development, not on time in rank or any other criteria. There is no extra fee for testing, nor is promotion linked in any way to payment. Participation and payment of club dues entitles the student to promotion when his or her skill has sufficiently progressed. New material is therefore taught to students as they master their current subjects and the senior students feel they are ready to learn it.

Members are expected to train as often as possible, with focus and a good spirit, and to work to improve and to help others improve. Proper etiquette is to be followed in the dojo at all times, and each student is expected to understand this. (If there are any questions that are not covered in the handout on etiquette, or by the acting instructor, feel free to ask.). Everyone is also expected to keep their uniform (gi) or workout clothes clean, help keep the dojo clean, and to pay dues promptly. In general, students are simply expected to treat both their seniors and juniors with the respect they are due as training partners.

Finally, while there are seniors and juniors, teachers and students, in the dojo, outside it we are all adults, peers and friends with our own lives, jobs, and families. Therefore, we ask that the formal roles in the dojo remain there; they are an important part of our martial training, but are not always appropriate in the rest of our lives. Our goal is to make our martial training relevant to our lives as a whole, not to keep it segmented away from, or to insist on it having excessive influence on, the rest of our lives. If you are interested in joining our group, we suggest you come down and watch a training session. If you think you would be interested in participating, talk more with one of our senior students, and feel free to ask anyone in the dojo any questions you might have. We hope to see you soon!