DŌJŌ CULTURE
Following the patterns of the dōjō (martial arts school), students defer respect to higher graded students and teachers by bowing deeper to the senior belt.
Self-defence aspects of training are accompanied by constant reinforcement that avoidance is the best policy. Students are encouraged to live confidently but wisely. They are encouraged to avoid places and people that hold unnecessary risk or danger to themselves, their families, or friends. Diplomacy and avoidance are expected to be paramount in the mind of Shikishimakan students.
Shikishimakan students are expected, at certain grades, to perform demonstrations of knowledge, and teach individuals and groups in a supervised environment. It aims at nurturing a well-rounded social/academic/ physical person. The system seeks to train a modern cultured warrior that views his/her martial arts skills as only one aspect of the entire warrior personality. The true warrior sees the bigger picture and assumes a responsible role in seeking to improve his/her own society - not through violence.
HEALTH & SAFETY
SSK staff must always ensure a qualified COVID-19 marshal and first aid officer are available for every training session. We check temperatures upon arrival and parents must be prepared to escort their child home if their temperature exceeds the NSW Health guidelines.
Parents must refrain from sending children with flu-like symptoms and must officially inform the SSK of injuries or conditions that may affect health or safety in training. Parents must ensure that children arrive in time for training and must be available to collect them upon completion of training. As of August 2021, a measure has been established to protect the welfare of children and the reputation of instructors. The parent of the second-last child to leave will be required to wait at the venue until the parent of last child to leave arrives. This will ensure that no child is left alone, nor any single adult left alone with a child.
INSTRUCTOR ACCREDITATION
Like all official instructors in his dōjō, Grant Sensei maintains accreditation with the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA).
MAIA Level One accreditation requires that instructors have Working With Children Check clearance and that they are qualified to administer basic first aid. The qualification must be updated regularly, and instructors are expected to comply with the standards of that MAIA, the body with which SSK is affiliated. Parents can check on the currency of instructor registration with MAIA by contacting their office. Further information about the MAIA can be obtained via their website: https://maia.com.au
ORIGINS OF SHIKISHIMAKAN
SHIKISHIMAKAN is a name derived from a less well-known name for "Japan" (SHIKISHIMA) and "(Training) Hall" (KAN). It is an eclectic martial arts style developed for training young people and is based on Karate and Iaidō (the traditional art of sword-drawing with the katana).
The founder and main instructor was trained and awarded black belts in Japan in two martial arts as well as having been a student of Shodō (Japanese brush calligraphy). He is also a qualified and highly experienced classroom teacher of Careers, Language, and Social Science.
The martial arts system was designed to be a framework within which to teach self-discipline and manners to a generation of Australians who are seeing fewer and fewer examples of honour and culture in their own society. We borrow the traditional format of the Japanese ancient society to restore some of the positive elements of our own. The most important aspect of Shikishimakan is the respect and etiquette. A great emphasis is placed on etiquette and how one carries oneself.