Where to go on a Seiza call...??

[mingshi]

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Door------- Beginners> > > > Juniors > > > > >Seniors Shomen


Hope this looks clear enough.

How does this sitting arrangement works?

1) Should I let everyone who started earlier than me to sit closer to the Senior side?
2) Should I let everyone who started earlier than me, but who hasn't been to grading, who comes much less frequent, to sit closer to the Senior side?
3) If there isn't enough room, and the line has to be split into two, how should the second line be arranged?
4) If I'm visiting another dojo, where should I be?

My temporary solution is to get as close to the door side as possible (esp. situation #4). But now I'd like to know the proper way of doing it. Thanks.

[ben]

When in doubt, take the lowest position. Grade comes first, then age/length of study. For two lines, front line yudansha, back line mudansha, or, front line graded, back line ungraded.

b

[Ares2907]

Some places line up by rank, some by age. Generally the newbies (or younguns as the case may be) are closest to the door.
That way when the rival dojo from across town springs a surprise attack, the newbies provide a nice buffer for the seniors to get ready and kick some, rather than getting picked off from the start :)

afaik, if you are ungraded and with a bunch of ungraded people, I believe the eldest sits in the most senior position, but again it may vary from dojo to dojo. If you are graded, I believe that whomever graded first sits in the most senior spot (this may vary yadda yadda)

[Haowen]

LOL Ares... nice perspective. So I'm just katana-fodder, hehehe

[Neil Gendzwill]

Another point - when visiting, just sit at the end of the bogu-wearing people (if you have bogu). If your hosts want you to sit somewhere more lofty, they'll let you know.

[Matthew Lagden]

yeah only the other week, the dojo across town launched an attack, and the newbies slowed em down pretty good...

need to launch a bit a recruitment drive though....