Accredited to Gichin Funakoshi, the Shotokan Karate dojo kun serves as a set of five guiding principles, often recited at the end of each training session in most styles, intended to frame the practice within an ethical context.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

The five rules/morals are:
1. hitotsu, jinkaku kansei ni tsutomeru koto
 

jinkaku = personality/character, kansei = complete/full (perfect), ni = to, tsutomeru = endeavour/seek

 

To Seek Perfection of Character

Always strive to be a good person, humble and helpful to others

Constantly testing ones-self so as to develop strong character from within.  

 

 

​

2. hitotsu, makoto no michi wo mamoru koto
makoto = truth, no = 's, michi = path, wo = with respect to that, mamoru = defend

 

To Be Faithful/Defend the path you walk on with sincerity

Placing loyalty into our lives gives us comfort and strength in our beliefs and responsibilities to all mankind.

 

​

 

3. hitotsu, doryoku no seishin wo yashinau koto
doryoku = effort, no = ’s, seishin = spirit, wo = with respect to that, yashinau = cultivate

 

To Endeavor/Cultivating the spirit of perseverance

To continue and always try your very best at everything you are and doing.

Try not to give up, remember to learn from the results of your actions and keep trying! And trying!

Hard Work pays off, so do not give up.

 

 

​

4. hitotsu, reigi wo omonzuru koto
reigi = principles of etiquette/courtesy, wo = with respect to that, omonzuru = honour

 

To Respect Others/Honouring the principles of etiquette

Respect has to first be earned from others and you have to have respect for yourself and others.

With respect comes honour!

 

​

​

5.hitotsu, kekki no yū wo imashimuru koto
kekki = vigor (impetuousness), no = of, yu = courage, wo = with respect to that, imashimuru = refrain/be warned/to guard against

 

To Refrain From Violent Behaviour/Guard ourselves against hot blooded behaviour

Live a peaceful life, we can avoid violence by walking away to see another day.

If we have to use our Karate for real we have failed the Art.

 

 

The word Hitotsu means "one" or "first" and is prepended to each rule to place it at the same level of importance as the others.

 

The word koto which ends each rule means "thing" and is used as a conjunction between rules.