Dojo is made up of two kanji: "do" meaning the way or path and "jo" meaning place. Dojo means "the place where one walks the way" in physical and spiritual growth. The dojo is not simply a place to train, but also a place where you will make many friends during your martial arts training. Showing respect in the dojo is a way of showing that one does not take the dojo, nor the benefits we gain from it, for granted.

Dan is made up of one kanji meaning "level" or "step". The various dan of black belts therefore, reflect the various steps or levels of proficiency after attaining the black belt. When put together with the kanji "sho", to make "shodan", it takes on the meaning of "first" or "beginning". When attaining a "shodan" black belt it symbolizes that this is the first or beginning level or step within the dan ranks. One can only realize that the few years required to attain a black belt is really just the beginning of a life long commitment of training. Just how much further you progress beyond "shodan" depends entirely on your commitment and effort to your training.

Kihon is made up of two kanji, "ki" meaning "foundation" or "root" and "hon" meaning "base" or "at the foot of". Like the two kanji that make up "kihon", basics in any martial art work from the ground up. The foundation of all martial arts techniques lies in the way in which one stands. Traditionally, only after a student learned the basics, were they allowed to go on to other more basic and advanced techniques. Instructors felt that this was a way to test the student's patience to the extreme, develop character and at the same time, weed out those lacking the spirit or courage to succeed in the martial arts. Just as a building cannot stand without the proper foundation, and a tree falls over without it roots, advanced martial art techniques cannot be mastered without first mastering the basics.

Osu is made up of two kanji, "o" meaning to "push" which symbolizes one hundred percent effort and "su" means to "endure". Combined, "osu" is a pledge to do one's best and endure. The martial arts require a great deal of discipline which involves a great deal of self-reflection, and self-reflection is more concerned with irrefutable truths than with rewards. Some students will pretend to train hard only when they believe their sensei is watching. These types of students devote more energy towards attracting their sensei's attention than to learning martial arts. In other words, their efforts are not "silent". Students are in class to learn martial arts, not to impress their sensei. How much they learn depends solely on how hard they work. If they put forth their best efforts only when the sensei is watching and are lazy the rest of the time, this will inevitably be reflected in their techniques. It is said that a flower blossoming deep in a secluded forest is no less beautiful than one growing in a garden where everyone can see. Students who study martial arts will sometimes say "osu" in a normal speaking voice, but just as often, they will loudly shout this word, which can substitute for "hello", "good-bye", "yes", "ok", or "I understand". No matter how or when it is said, however, "osu" reaffirms one of the most important lessons in martial arts.