It looked more like a palace than a dojo. Dojo's were typically modest and quaint. This building was made from the finest timber and constructed by the finest carpenters. Akimoto helped in its construction, of course. But after the renovation, the feeling of authenticity waned as his classes soon became armies of young men and women working to enter the Academy or simply learn to protect themselves and those they care for most. It certainly wasn't the same building it was almost a millenia ago.

Akimoto-sensei stood atop a shallow stage, his shihan ready demonstrating today's lesson. As a new year was on its way, he was told to start from the teaching the precepts of Kori no Tate and then into the various techniques. Though the first week was about learning twenty precepts about a martial art, this did not make it a slow start into the discipline. Many graduated students would say the most difficult week was the first. To learn the precepts properly, one needed to be them. There was much preparation in becoming those precepts.

"Welcome," the man in the center of the stage greeted the kneeling students. He bowed unnecessarily deeply as did his shihan for the purposes of respect for their sensei. "This is the dojo of Kori no Tate. You will learn how to be a shield of ice. One, that when large and sturdy enough, will be able to withstand anything." His speech was unusually colloquial as well. Did he lack a sense of authority or pride in himself? He was even wearing a white belt, placing himself at the level of the newest students.

"I will start today by teaching you the precepts by which we follow as practitioners of Kori no Tate." He motioned behind him as his shihan pulled some ropes connected to the ceiling of the dojo. The whining of canvas unrolling itself sounded as a large tarp fell to reveal the twenty precepts that they were to learn. Separated into categories, it seemed easy enough to learn.

Precepts of Kori no Tate
MIND
1. Conflict is close-mindedness
2. Be honest in your ignorance
3. Do not strike at contradicitions
4. Be considerate about your disagreements
5. Conflict will cease when understanding is met

SOUL
6. You are part of your environment
7. Others are part of your environment
8. Respect your environment
9. Others are affected by your environment
10. You are your environment

SPIRIT
11. Life is singular
12. Take care for yourself
13. Pleasantness is contagious
14. Take care for others
15. Life is all-encompassing

BODY
16. Mind your body
17. Keep oneself centered
18. Awareness is survival
19. Keep oneself strong
20. Mind your heart

Actually reading them, one might see a large margin of interpretation these precepts allowed. "Conflict is close-mindedness!" He bellowed, his voice changing drastically from his introduction. "The Gotei 13 is a useless organization full of power-hungry individuals seeking self-fulfillment!" The words echoed endlessly throughout the large open room.

He paused a moment to see the reaction among the sea of children before him. Most widened their eyes while others contorted their faces in confusion. A few seemed rightfully angry or upset while a few others seemed accepting of the statement, already believing this statement to be true.