The Way of Cleanliness

One of our young karate students grumbles “Am I getting paid for this?”, while another one exclaims happily “This is Fun!” as everyone, including all instructors, grab a rag out of the water bucket. The students line up against the wall, put their rags on the floor, both hands on top of the rags then race down the dojo floor creating wavy wet streaks. Rinse and repeat from the opposite side. To the casual observer this could seem like Sensei is taking on some free janitorial services… but there’s more than what meets the eye.

In Japan, at the end of the school day, the children grab their rags and brooms and clean up their classrooms, halls, and bathrooms. It is called “Soji” 掃除, or Soji-Do (the way of cleanliness). It is taught and practiced to develop humility, responsibility, respect, and courtesy.

In Karate the word we use to bow is “Rei” 礼 which translates to “Courtesy” or “Respect”. Courtesy means that we care about others, how we make them feel, and how our actions may affect them in a positive way.

So I asked our Karate students: “When you leave a dirty plate in the sink, who cleans it?” Some students said: “I do…” but the parents in the background shook their heads in disagreement. So I asked, “doesn’t mom get to do it?” The kids nodded. Then, I continued, “If you go to a restaurant and leave a mess at the table, who cleans it?” They replied, “the people that work there..?” I said, “Correct. But is it nice to give mom more work? Is it nice for us to make other people work more? Even if it’s their job? Courtesy is to think about mom when you wash your plate, when you put your toys away, when you wipe down the table after dinner. Courtesy is to leave the space you used clean, and things in their place, and you will be better for it too.”

Soji then is not only about cleaning, but about showing respect, about taking responsibility, learning humility, and achieving personal growth. And just like our students, I hope you will embrace Soji too, everywhere you go.