At NWS Karate, we have a special tradition known as the Nafudakake Ceremony, a meaningful part of our dojo’s heritage.
In traditional Japanese martial arts, a Nafudakake (名札掛け) is a wooden nameplate display mounted on the dojo wall. Each nameplate, known as a nafuda, represents a karateka and their place within the dojo.
Earning Your Place
Having your name displayed on the Nafudakake is more than simply receiving recognition. It represents an important milestone in a karateka’s journey.
Depending on the dojo’s traditions, a student may earn their place on the board after achieving their first formal rank or upon reaching Junior Black Belt and Shodan (1st Dan black belt).
The Ceremony
During the ceremony, the karateka formally receives their wooden nameplate from the Sensei and places it on the Nafudakake.
As students progress through the ranks, their nameplates may be moved to reflect their achievements and continued development.
A Symbol of Belonging and Legacy
The Nafudakake represents more than individual achievements. It reflects the history, traditions and shared journey of the dojo.
Each nameplate becomes part of that history, connecting today’s karateka with those who have trained before them.
The board is a living record of the dojo’s active members. When a student leaves or is no longer an active member, their nameplate may be removed in accordance with the dojo’s traditions.
More Than a Name on a Board
For every karateka whose name appears on the Nafudakake, it serves as a reminder of the values that karate teaches:
The Nafudakake is not simply a display of names and ranks. It is a symbol of belonging, achievement and the legacy we build together through karate.
Instructor
Benoni Dojo
Embark on a transformative journey with New World Shotokan Karate East Rand. Sign up for classes and start experiencing the profound benefits of karate training.
Our instructors are accomplished, high-ranking black belts who take their teaching seriously, especially towards children, combining a comprehensive education in well-established, orthodox karate practice and philosophy with modern sports-orientated competition karate.
Traditional karate is about effective self-defence under all conditions. When we refer to traditional karate, we mean more than just kicks, punches and blocks. Shotokan’s founder Gichin Funakoshi emphasized that a fight can end up on the ground, for which you need skills other than kicking, punching and blocking.