Applying for Membership in the Dojo

We request potential students make an appointment to observe training, prior to applying for admission to the dojo. Visitors are asked to arrive at the dojo no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of practice, in order to allow time for introductions and a quick explanation of what they will be watching. During class, the instructors usually make it a point to check in with observers to see if they’ve generated any quick questions. At the conclusion of practice, there is adequate time to discuss the class more completely, and to conduct an admission interview, should the guest decide to apply for membership. The interview is intended to ensure that the expectations of the dojo and the prospective student are in harmony. Questions are encouraged.

We expect candidates for membership to treat the interview as they would a job interview, and to dress accordingly.

We realize that most people coming to watch a practice are unfamiliar with traditional Japanese etiquette and dojo protocols. These are things members of the dojo learn naturally, over time, and not something about which visitors should worry. If you approach the dojo with simple courtesy and respect, and sincere interest, you’ll do just fine during your visit and application interview.

Should you wish to gain some advance insight to etiquette and the manner in which a traditional dojo functions, we strongly recommend obtaining and reading carefully the book, In the Dojo, by Dave Lowry.

Schedule of Fees

In some traditional dojo, discussion of financial considerations tends to be avoided whenever possible. This practice derives from the fact the samurai regarded money with contempt. Of course, the samurai could afford to take that attitude, since they essentially owned the entire country of Japan and everyone in it...

We prefer that potential members of the dojo have a clear understanding of what to expect. 

• Membership Dues

Students of a traditional dojo recognize that membership dues support the existence of the dojo, and are not simple payments in exchange for instruction. An individual membership is $85 per month, while a family membership — which can include a spouse and dependents over the age of 14 years — is $125 per month.

Please note that dues are for membership in the dojo, and the rates are unrelated to the number of times per month a student attends practice.

New students can commence training at any time, with the first month’s dues prorated to the point of the month the member begins training. New members must also designate a bank account from which subsequent dues will be submitted by means of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Use of EFT eases the load on the chief instructor and makes things more convenient for members. On the first banking day of each month, membership dues are transferred from a member’s designated bank account, eliminating the need to write checks and enabling the dojo to know right away the resources available for the month.

We do not use contracts. EFT arrangements can be changed or stopped at any time, provided written notice is submitted to the dojo prior to the 20th of the month, in order to effect changes for the subsequent month.

• Examination Fees

Nominal fees are collected for yudansha (black-belt) grade promotions in aikijutsu, and for testing and certification in kenjutsu.

• Required Training Equipment

Aikijutsu: New members of the Itten Dojo aikikai need only a judo-style uniform, a pair of zori (Japanese sandals), and a bokken (wooden sword). The uniform is available through the dojo for less than $50, and proper zori can be purchased for about $35 from Nine Circles USA. A bokken can be obtained from The Kiyota Company in Baltimore for $65, although we hope Nine Circles will eventually be able to provide the same style bokken at less expense.

Kenjutsu: The basic uniform and bokken required for training cost about $275. A shinken (a sharpened, steel sword) can be obtained from a variety of suppliers as well as through a member of the dojo — it’s possible to obtain a real sword, entirely suitable for training, for little more than the cost of an iaito (an unsharpened, aluminum training sword).

• Special Seminars

Itten Dojo regularly hosts senior instructors to present seminars for our members (and sometimes outside guests). When we schedule one of these events, attendees of the training may be asked to contribute a fee — usually about $75 to $150 — to help defray the costs of the instructor’s expenses and honorarium.

For additional information or to apply for membership, please send an e-mail to ittendojocho@cs.com or call (717) 728-8871.