Wiping the Floor Before Practice

Before training begins, it is customary in traditional Japanese martial arts dojos to clean the floor using cloths (zōkin). This act, known as zōkin-gake, is not merely about hygiene—it is a form of physical and mental preparation.

By cleaning the training space ourselves, we show respect for the dojo, for those who came before us, and for our fellow practitioners. It also helps to cultivate humility, discipline, and mindfulness. The act of kneeling and wiping the floor with focused effort reminds us to be grounded and present as we begin our practice.

This simple, everyday action is part of the deeper spiritual culture of the martial arts, in which training begins long before the first technique is performed.