Kamiza

上座

Seat of honor or upper wall in a dojo reserved for honoring founders and masters.

Quick Facts

CategoryPlace

Pronunciation/[kah-mee-zah]/

Alternative NamesSeat of honor, Upper seat

Definition

Kamiza is the upper wall of a dojo, typically displaying the founder's portrait, school calligraphy, or Shinto symbols. At the beginning and end of practice, students bow toward the Kamiza. Opposite to it lies Shimoza, where junior practitioners line up.

Related Terms

Dojo道場

Traditional training hall for Japanese martial arts and meditation.

Rei礼

Traditional bow expressing respect, humility, and proper etiquette.

Sensei先生

Honorific title for a teacher or instructor in Japanese culture.

Associated Martial Arts

Tomari-te Satojuku Karate Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Shorinji Ryu Renshinkan Enshin Karate Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Yoseikan Aikido Shorinji-ryu Kenkokan Seiwakai Goju-ryu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Iwama Ryu Kosen Judo Kawaishi Judo Yoshinkan Aikido Gensei-ryu Tomiki Aikido Chito-ryu Karate Shito-ryu Motobu-ryu Karate Ashihara Karate Byakuren Kaikan Shorei-ryu Uechi-ryu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Shotokan Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Matsubayashi-ryu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shidokan Shorin-ryu Seibukan Isshin-ryu Karate Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu Seidokaikan Karate Shorin-ryu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Kito-ryu Shuri-te Meibukan Goju-ryu Shorin-ryu Kyudokan Jundokan Goju-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liuhe Tanglangquan)Kyokushin Budokai Real Aikido Naha-te Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Shorinkan