Question:
Why, how, and when do we bow?
Answer:
Why?
The japanese word for bow is “rei”. We bow to show respect.
How?
Both hands to the side, heels together with feet apart in a V, with good posture, and bend at the hip. We are able to look down during the bow because it is a sign of trusting each other.
When?
- When we enter and exit the dojo door
- When we step on and off the training floor
- When Sensei first enters the dojo
- At the beginning/end of class, when we line up, we bow twice. The first time when the instructor says “shomen ni rei” meaning bow to “shomen” or front of the dojo. This bow is to show respect to our dojo, the martial art that we practice, and it’s founders. The second bow is announced either “senpai ni rei”(bow to senior student) or “Sensei ni rei”(bow to teacher) if Sensei Hanlon is teaching. We have one Sensei at the Bend Karate Club and all other instructors are addressed as Sempai(senior student). This bow is to show respect to the instructor leading the class. In place of this bow, the instructor will sometimes say “otagai ni rei” which means bow to each other. This bow can be performed in standing position(heels together and feet pointing outward) or in formal kneeling position called “seiza”
- Before and after a kata
- Before and after working with another student
When in doubt bow, but as a general rule, the instructor will conduct bowing during class and rest of the time it is up to the student to bow at the right times. If there are questions about bowing, please feel free to ask a senpai.
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