ABSTRACT
Unlike a dōjō or chashitsu, the iemoto cannot be fixed in time and space, since it is continually having to be remade in a variety of contexts, largely through the efforts of an accomplished ‘teacher’ (sensei). One of the ways in which a sensei can make any training space a dōjō and manifest the hierarchical principles of the iemoto directly and concretely to participants, is through a moral and ethical code of conduct referred to as reigi/kei (lit. ‘respect’). The emphasis in this code is on physical and verbal expressions of respect for the hierarchy of the group and one’s position within it. Literally, this code describes how practitioners should behave towards and address one another in the training environment. A student who conducts himself in accordance with this code conveys a willingness to be guided by the social ideals of the iemoto. Like the sensei and place (dōjō/chashitsu) for training, reigi/kei are indicative of the power and authority of the iemoto over participants.
