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{{wiktionary|dojo}}
{{Short description|Place for immersive learning, experiential learning or meditation}}
{{Otheruses|Dojo (disambiguation)}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|title=''Dōjō''
|pic=Dojo (Chinese characters).svg
|piccap="Dōjō" in ''[[kanji]]''
|picupright=0.425
|kanji=道場
|romaji=dōjō
}}
{{see also|Martial arts school}}
A {{nihongo|'''''dōjō'''''|[[wiktionary:道場|道場]]||{{IPA|ja|doꜜː(d)ʑoː}}<ref group=note>Also {{IPA|ja|doː(d)ʑoː|}}.</ref>}} is a hall or place for [[immersive learning]], [[experiential learning]], or [[meditation]]. This is traditionally in the field of [[martial arts]]. The term literally means "place of the [[Tao|Way]]" in [[Japanese language|Japanese]].

== History ==
[[File:Rokkaku-dou Ikenobou doujou.jpg|thumb|The ''[[Ikenobō]] dōjō'' (right) next to [[Rokkaku-dō]], Kyoto]]

The word ''dōjō'' originates from [[bodhimaṇḍa|Buddhism]]. ''Dōjōs'' were often adjunct to [[Buddhist temple|temple]]s and were formal training places for any of the Japanese arts ending in "''-dō''", from the Chinese ''[[Dao]]'', meaning "way" or "path". Sometimes meditation halls where [[Zen]] Buddhists practice ''[[zazen]]'' meditation were called ''dōjō''.<ref name=Suzuki>{{Cite book |author=Daisetz Teitarō Suzuki |author-link=D.T. Suzuki |year=2007 |title=An Introduction to Zen Buddhism |publisher=Grove Press |chapter=Chapter 9: The Meditation Hall and the Monk's Life |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uqvjhah6BPYC&pg=PA118 |isbn=9780802130556 |oclc=1074773870 |pages=118–132|title-link=An Introduction to Zen Buddhism }}</ref> 

The alternative term ''[[zendo|zen-do]]'' is more specific, and more widely used. European ''[[Sōtō]] [[Zen]]'' groups affiliated with the International Zen Association prefer to use ''dōjō'' instead of ''zendo'' to describe their meditation halls as did their founding master, [[Taisen Deshimaru]].
[[File:Sugawa_dojo(寿川道場).jpg|thumb|An old [[Jōdo Shinshū]] Buddhist dōjō in [[Toyama Prefecture]]]]
Other Buddhist traditions also sometimes met in private ''dōjōs'' which were not part of a temple. For example, the [[Jōdo Shinshū]] school initially began as networks of dōjōs where followers of all classes would meet. These were usually small buildings, often private residences turned into chapels for religious chanting of the [[Nianfo|nembutsu]] and other monthly services. Rather than complex altars, they used vertical scrolls with calligraphy as the main object of worship.<ref>Ducor, Jérôme: ''Shinran and Pure Land Buddhism,'' p. 36. Jodo Shinshu International Office'','' 2021 (ISBN 0999711822)</ref>

In [[Japan]], any facility for physical training, including [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|professional wrestling]], may be called a ''dōjō''.<ref name="Kendo for Life">{{cite web|title=Meaning of Dojo|url=http://www.kendo-guide.com/meaning_of_dojo.html|work=Kendo Basics|publisher=Kendo for Life|access-date=30 November 2013}}</ref> In the [[Western world]], the term ''dōjō'' (when related to physical activity) is used exclusively for [[Japanese martial arts]] such as ''[[Aikido|aikidō]]'', ''[[Judo|jūdō]]'', ''[[Karate|karate-dō]]'', etc.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martial Arts|url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e634.html|work=Japan Experience|access-date=13 November 2012}}</ref>

== In martial arts ==
[[File:Noma Dojo, 2006.JPG|left|thumb|A ''[[kendō]]'' ''dōjō'', Tokyo]]
[[File:Traditional Dojo - Karate Kaikan.jpg|thumb|Traditional Dojo – Shurei no yakata, Karate Kaikan – in Tomigusuku near Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan]]
A proper [[Japanese martial arts]] ''dōjō'' is considered special and is well cared for by its users. Shoes are not worn in a ''dōjō'', which is in line with the Japanese custom to keep the premises clean and respectable. In many styles it is traditional to conduct a ritual cleaning (''sōji''; 掃除) of the ''dōjō'' at the beginning and/or end of each training session. Besides the obvious hygienic benefits of regular cleaning it also serves to reinforce the fact that ''dōjō'' are supposed to be supported and managed by the student body (or by special students, e.g., [[uchi-deshi]]). In some cases, the instructional staff may choose to help the students clean, as a sign of modesty, setting a personal example. In Modern Times, even when a school has a Dojo to train inside of, the training may sometimes be conducted outside, often in parks.  

Many traditional ''dōjō'' follow a prescribed pattern with ''shomen'' (正面; "front") and various entrances that are used based on student and instructor rank laid out precisely. The Shomen is designated as a wall, usually in the North of the Dojo and facing the entrance.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ijf.org/news/show/the-dojo-a-place-of-study-and-practice | title=The Dojo: A Place of Study and Practice }}</ref> Typically students will enter in the lower-left corner of the ''dōjō'' (in reference to the shomen) with instructors in the upper right corner. Shomen typically has a shelf attached to it. On the shelf would traditionally be presented a miniature [[Shinto|Shintō]] shrine with a sculpture, flower arrangement, or other artifacts. Pictures of past Masters are generally found aside the shrine, and not on it. The term ''[[kamiza]]'' means "[[place of honor]]" and a related term, ''[[kamidana]]'' refers to the shrine itself. Other artifacts may be displayed throughout the ''dōjō'', such as ''kanban'' (看板; signboard) that authorize the school in a style or strategy, and items such as ''[[taiko]]'' drums or [[armor]] (''[[Ō-yoroi]]''). It is not uncommon to find the name of the ''dōjō'' and the ''[[dōjō kun]]'' (roughly "''dōjō'' rules") displayed prominently at shomen as well. Visitors may have a special place reserved, depending on their rank and station. Weapons and other training gear will normally be found on the back wall.

===''Honbu dōjō''===
A ''honbu dōjō'' (本部道場) is the central training facility and administrative headquarters of a particular martial arts style.

Some well-known ''dōjō'' located in Japan are:
* [[Kodokan Judo Institute]] ([[Judo]])
* [[Aikikai Hombu Dojo|Aikikai Hombu Dōjō]] ([[Aikido]])
* [[Noma Dōjō]] ([[Kendo]])
* Nakazato Karate Weapons Gym ([[Shōrin-ryū Shōrinkan]])

==Similar cultural establishments==
In Japan and other countries, there are additional names for training halls, that are equivalent to "dōjō". These include the following:

===Japan===
*Heya ([[sumo]]). The name means 'Room'. As opposed to a Dojo, the Heya is a 'stable' for professional athletes. It also has its own special rules and etiquette. The attire is minimalistic, and the atmosphere is that of competitive comradery. It is also often a place where the wrestlers live, and not only train.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nippon.com/en/views/b02346/ | title=Daily Life at a Sumō Stable: A Visit to the Takadagawa Stable | date=23 August 2018 }}</ref>

===India===
*[[Akhara]] ([[Indian martial arts]])
*[[Kalari]] ([[kalaripayat]]) 

===Korea===
*[[Dojang]] ([[Korean martial arts]]). This type of martial arts school is fairly similar to the Japanese variety.<ref>{{cite book|last=Park|first=Yeon Hee|author-link=Yeon Hee Park|year=2014|title=Tae Kwon Do: The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World's Most Popular Martial Art|publisher=Skyhorse |isbn=978-1626364257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is A Dojang? |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ae4f72d36099b34d8f82747/t/5b0c1eda0e2e723b74752c1d/1527520986396/54-What+is+a+Dojang.pdf |website=static1.squarespace.com}}</ref>

===Indonesia===
*Gelanggang ([[silat Melayu]])
* Sasaran ([[pencak silat]])

===Vietnam===
* Võ Đường ([[Vietnamese martial arts|Việt Võ Đạo]]).

===Greater China===
* ''Wu[[kwoon|guan]]'' ({{lang-zh|s=武馆|t=武館|l=martial hall}}). Similarly to a Dojo, there is a Confucian-like hierarchy between the students and teachers. However, the hierarchy often more so resembles a 'family', than a bureaucracy. The altar, which only exists in some of the Wuguan, may be dedicated to past Masters, deities, or both. That is unlike in a Dojo, where the pictures of Masters are usually not placed within the shrine itself. Historically, and sometimes still in our time, this type of cultural enterprise was used as a community center.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bluestein|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Bluestein|year=2024|title=Martial Arts Politics Explained|publisher=Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp |isbn=979-8335564984}}</ref> This is the opposite of many Dojos today, which join an extant community center, to become a part of it. The Wuguan is a central establishment in many kung fu movies, such as those of the [[Shaw Brothers Studio|Shaw Brothers]] company, and the films about late Wing Chun grandmaster [[Ip Man|Yip Man]] and martial arts folk hero [[Wong Fei-hung|Wong Fei-hong]]. 
* Dojo/dojang is pronounced in Mandarin as ''daochang'' and Cantonese as ''dou cheung'' due to its Chinese characters used for the Japanese and Korean martial arts schools established in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

== In other fields ==
The term ''dōjō'' is also increasingly used for other forms of immersive-learning space. 

===Zen Buddhism===
The term ''dōjō'' is sometimes used to describe the meditation halls where [[Zen]] Buddhists practice ''[[zazen]]'' seated meditation.<ref name=Suzuki/> The alternative term ''[[zendo|zen-do]]'' is more specific, and more widely used. European ''[[Sōtō]] [[Zen]]'' groups affiliated with the International Zen Association prefer to use ''dōjō'' instead of ''zendo'' to describe their meditation halls as did their founding master, [[Taisen Deshimaru]].

{{Wide image|DSC03218 Gendo lang.jpg|940px|[[Sōtō]] Zen Dojo of La Gendronniére near [[Blois]] (France)}}

===Internet Culture===
The term 'Dojo' has been used for various software, digital learning applications and by related companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The DOJO app |url=https://www.thedojoapp.com/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.thedojoapp.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://dojo.tech/app/ | title=Get Real-time Business Insights with the Dojo Dashboard {{pipe}} Dojo }}</ref>

== Explanatory notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==See also==
* [[Bodhimaṇḍa]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}

[[Category:Dōjō| ]]
[[Category:Architecture in Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese martial arts terminology]]
[[Category:Zen]]

{{Japanese martial arts}}