Mokuso –
‘moku’ – silent/still
‘so’ – thoughts/thinking
The purpose of the opening Mokuso is to relax and clear the mind and to allow any cares or anger to drain away before commencing training. Closing Mokuso is to allow for reflection on what has been taught and to calm the mind and body prior to leaving the Dojo. During Mokuso breathing should be controlled (in through the nose, out through the mouth, exhaling air from deep within the abdomen).
Opening ceremony
| Person(s) | Says | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor: | SHUGO (shoo-go) | Line Up | |
| KI O TSUKE (key-oht-skay) | Attention | Stand in musbi-dachi, hands by side | |
| Sensei turns to face the front of the Dojo and kneels | |||
| Senior Student: | SEIZA (say-zah) | Kneel (students kneel in order of seniority) | |
| MOKUSO (mok-so) | Meditation (close eyes) | ||
| MOKUSO YAME (mok-so yah-may) | End of meditation (open eyes) | ||
| SHOMEN NI (show-men nee) | Face forward | ||
| REI (ray) | Bow | ||
| Sensei turns to face students | |||
| SENSEI NI (Sehn-seh-ee nee) | Students turn towards Sensei | ||
| REI (ray) | Bow | ||
| All students: | ONEGAISHIMASU (on-nah-guy-she-mahhs) | Please teach me | |
| Instructor: | KIRITSU (key-writ-soo) | Stand up | |
| KI O TSUKE (key-oht-skay) | Attention | ||
| REI (ray) | Bow |
Closing ceremony
| Person(s) | Says | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor: | KI O TSUKE (key-oht-skay) | Attention | Stand in musbi-dachi, hands by side |
| Sensei turns to face the front of the Dojo and kneels down | |||
| Senior Student: | SEIZA (say-zah) | Kneel (students kneel in order of seniority) | |
| MOKUSO (mok-so) | Meditation (close eyes) | ||
| MOKUSO YAME (mok-so yah-may) | End of meditation (open eyes) | ||
| SHOMEN NI (show-men nee) | Face forward | ||
| REI (ray) | Bow | ||
| Sensei turns to face students | |||
| SENSEI NI RAY (Sehn-seh-ee nee) | Students bow towards Sensei | ||
| All students: | ARIGATO GOZAIMASHITA (ah-ree-gah-toe-go-zye-mahs-shta) | Thank you very much | |
| Senior Student: | OTAGAI NI (oh-tah-guy nee) | Turn to face fellow student | |
| REI (ray) | Bow | ||
| All students: | ARIGATO GOZAIMASHITA (ah-ree-gah-toe-go-zye-mahs-shta) | Thank you very much | |
| Senior Student: | SHOMEN NI (show-men nee) | Face forward | |
| All students: | |||
| Instructor: | KIRITSU (key-writ-soo) | Stand up | |
| KI O TSUKE (key-oht-skay) | Attention | ||
| REI (ray) | Bow |
