In Japan, cleaning is called ‘Soji’ (掃除) and apart from obviously ‘cleaning’ it is valued as a way to cultivate our minds. In fact, ‘Soji ‘is beyond mere cleaning. Buddhist monks when attending a monastery or shrine, put a great deal of time into practicing ‘Soji’. A monk’s day begins with cleaning, and cleanliness and tidiness are a part of Japanese culture and tradition going back centuries.
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Some martial art schools perform a cleaning ritual before and after training and is a very important part of training, yet some schools do not practice this tradition despite its far-reaching interpretation.
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For me, ‘soji’ demonstrates a sense of pride in your dojo, as well as respect for the “place of the way” (literal meaning of dojo). Furthermore, and just as important as showing respect for the dojo, is the sense of humbleness that ‘soji’ instills in martial art practitioners.
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From the very beginning of my training back in the early seventies, I can remember cleaning the dojo floor. It was ingrained into my Karate training as much as any punch, kick or kata. The tradition of ‘soji’, I believe, is very important in terms of student development too.
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‘Soji’ is seen as a part of your training, to show humility, cooperation, group spirit and fellowship among all. Some Westerners resist this ritual, citing that they are not attending the dojo to clean the dojo. I think this is a poor attitude and goes completely against the principles of Karate-Do and all other Japanese martial arts.
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Through rituals such as ‘soji’, we keep our ego in check. An inflated ego is seriously detrimental in any dojo, and does not belong there. ‘Soji’ then, is a ritual reminding us that we are no better, or worse, than any other martial art practitioner in or out of the dojo.
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In Japan, ‘soji’ is taken seriously and is very much a part of life’s teachings. A Sensei would never ask for a student to help out. The student should step up and help out on their own. Today, in our society, this is unfortunately lacking, and perhaps in that lack of humility, it is not showing the good character the martial artist should strive for. 
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 Photo Credit: Takayuki Mikami 9th dan JKA – LKA Karate :
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