What does DOJO mean?
The word DOJO is Japanese for (lit.) Way Place, inferring that study of the martial ways includes an element of spiritual growth as well as physical training.

How about KOKORO?
The word kokoro means heart, as in the core of the spirit.

What does SHOBUKAN mean?
SHOBU is Japanese for Martial Spirit, and KAN means Hall or House. We chose the name SHOBUKAN based on a gift of calligraphy presented to the dojo by Kiyama Hiroshi Sensei.

JUJUTSU is kind of like judo isn't it?
Somewhat, in that judo was born from the great teacher Kano Jigoro's study of several systems of jujutsu. Kano, a martial genius, was a diligent student of the Japanese budo and a highly steemed educator. His Kodokan Judo lent new life and respectability to the study of budo in Japan and forever changed the world budo community as well. The term jujutsu can encompass more than just grappling and throwing. It covers any lightly-armed or unarmed fighting art with roots in traditional Japanese martial systems. It's a bit generic. Some martial scholars would lump judo, some systems of kempo, aikido and some composite systems under the lable jujutsu. Jujutsu can be roughly translated as the art of pliability or art of suppleness. It does not necessarily mean 'soft art' ...

What's the difference between BUDO and BUJUTSU?
Not much, really. Budo means martial Way, and carries implications of spiritual development. Bujutsu means martial arts and is usually associated with battlefield-tested, combat-ready systems. Bugei is also martial art, and is a label applied to the battlefield arts of the Japanese warrior class. Budo and bujutsu are two faces of the same coin. If you study a combat art for years, and delve into the art beyond a simple physical level, you will have done budo. If you train in a modern system emphasizing personal development, but gain skill at self defense, you will have learned bujutsu.

Isn't KEMPO just another type of karate or kung fu?
Yes and no. Historically, kempo -- meaning Fist Method -- is often categorized as a subset of Japanese jujutsu. In modern times, however, several uniquely American systems of kempo (sometimes spelled kenpo) have gained great popularity. The word kempo is a Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters Chuan Fa. There's some evidence to connect Chinese traditions to early Japanese budo (look up Chin Gempin), but not in any overwhelming fashion. However, the Japanese historically looked to China for cultural direction and often used Chinese terms or Chinese-sounding terms to make what they were doing seem more refined. That said, kempo uses fists and feet, punches, strikes and kicks, to attack an oppoenent's vulnerable spots, and often includes followup pins, locks or throws. Our kempo is deriviative of a Japanese lineage rather more than most American styles. At first glance, it does look a lot like karate, with its punches and kicks. Looking deeper, however, you'll find the striking (atemi waza) combined with throws, joint locks and weapons tactics. Our jujutsu and kempo are closely integrated and sometimes the lines between the two disciplines is blurry at best.

What organization do you belong to?
The Dojo is independent with no formal affiliation to any budo organization and no plans to establish any such affiliation. We teach what we were taught and strive to polish the wonderful art our teachers lent us without the obfuscation of politics.

What is your belt ranking structure?
We don't use colored belts to denote rank. In fact, our members are basically either students or teachers. Point of fact, I seldom wear any obi other than a simply woolen sword obi that happens to be blue with a white geometric pattern. My students wear white belts usually, but if they have colored belts from other training they've done, they're welcome to wear them. A good rule of thumb is to wear a belt that doesn't clash with your uniform ...

If you don't use ranks or belts, how do students know how they're doing?
We tend to focus on training for its own sake. Because our classes are small and intimate, I can provide constant (and instant) feedback to students as they train. In class, seniority sort of settles itself out naturally without the artifical constraints of a belt system.

So you don't give out black belts?
Sure. Give me $25 and I'll get you a genuine black belt, but it won't mean anything, won't turn you into Jet Li, won't cure acne or make you popular. It'll be a piece of black cloth. Seriously, we don't use colored belts. If a student demonstrates solid abilities, good spirit, positive attitude and -- more importantly -- the desire and potential to teach, we will, in time, provide tailored instruction to guide the student toward a teaching license. But, no, we do not give out black belts or any other rank as such.

What about competition?
We don't do competition. Competition can be fun and personally rewarding, but for many who delve into the martial arts, it becomes the whole enchilada. That's cutting off the larger portion of what budo is all about. All competition provides an artificial construct, a framework within which competitors can test their skill at competition. There is very little correlation between competitive skill and martial perfection.

Does your training involve weapons?
Yes. Students work with the bokuto (wooden sword) and jo (literally: stick) at basic levels, and add shoto (short sword), tanto (dagger), tessen (iron fan) and other weapons later. Our regular training involves about 50 percent weapons, 50 percent empty hand. In recent years, we've also brought in instructors from other weapons arts for classes and seminars.

That looks like it hurts.
It probably does. Our joint locks are designed to produce instant, verifiable results. There are ways to lock up the arm without inflicting undue pain, however. In truth, it is often the pinned person's own struggles or resistance that cause the pain, rather than the actual application of the joint lock. We do exercises before and after class to reduce the risk of injury from these techniques, but like the man said: Don't try this at home!

This looks like fun, how do I sign up?
Well, the short answer is that you can't just walk in and sign up for our classes. We require potential students to observe a few classes (and let us observe them), possibly attend a series of introductory lessons, which may be one-on-one sessions. If, after that process, we are both still interested, you'll be asked to join regular training. Folks with some experience in arts that teach ukemi, falling and recovery, may be accelerated through that process.

How much are classes?
Membership fees are minimal; no one makes money from our classes. We do not currently charge anything for training, but don't accept just anyone as a student, either.

How do I find out more?
For info about classes in Indianapolis, e-mail Tim Lamb at tim (at) the-dojo.com or call (317) 222-1785. For info about training in Germany (we're in Grafenwoehr, in eastern Bavaria), e-mail Chuck Gordon at shobukan (at) the-dojo.com or call 0151 124 25 252. You can also use the online e-mail form on the Contact page.