## Dojo (5, 6)

To practice Naginata, you need a dojo. A dojo refers to the training hall where Naginata is being practiced. A dojo always has a shomen. It actually means ‘the centre of the face or head’, but in Naginata, it refers to the altar or sacred place in the dojo. This place can have an altar, banner of the club, a picture of the sensei (teacher) or something else that represents that ‘sacredness’. The shomen is usually located as far as possible from the door, so that place remains safe for potential threats from outside. That is also why, for example, you put away and pick up your Naginata with the blade facing away from the shomen.

Every dojo has its own rules regarding etiquette and safety. Here are the dojo rules of the national Dutch Naginata Federation (NNR):

1. Follow all safety instruction at all times. (The safety of everyone in the dojo comes first at all times!)
2. Listen to your sensei and senpai. They decide how the lesson will proceed.
3. When the sensei is absent, the senpai assumes all responsibilities and everyone treats them as the assistant sensei.
4. Bow towards the shōmen when entering and leaving the dojo.
5. Line up accordingly with the highest graded person standing closest to the Shomen.
6. Make sure your equipment is safe and ready to use before and during practice (like no splinters in your naginata or loose parts of your bogu).
7. Leave your shoes outside before entering the dojo.
8. Remove all jewelry and accessories before practice.