Shomen (正面) is a Japanese term and literally means “front, frontage, facade, main”. Shomen is therefore the front of the Dojo. It’s the direction that students line up facing and they traditionally bow towards. Usually, Shomen is the Northern wall of the Dojo or the wall that is facing the Dojo entrance. It’s where the Shinto shrine, the Country flag, and/or the Dojo Kun are situated.