A Bow in Karate: respect and budo

Reigi - etiquette Rules

Budo is the way of the warrior. Karate is a part of Budo and therefore is a complex system of personality education. "Karate begins and ends with respect" - these are the words of the founder of Shotokan karate Funakoshi sensei.

In another translation, this thesis sounds like this: "Karate-do begins and ends with a ritual." In Japanese tradition, it is by bowing that we express our respect. Traditionally, a constant expression of respect is required for the dojo, sensei, referee, opponent, and colleague. In Japan, bowing is always everywhere, even talking to someone on the phone.

This distinguishes Japanese training: here, karate starts with respect and ends with respect. Ritual before and after class is a must, whether it's a Honbu dojo, a private club, or a student team.

What is the meaning of a bow?

What is the meaning of bowing to the hall at the beginning of a workout? Why bow to the makiwara, "wooden board wrapped with rope," at the beginning of each exercise?

A bow, in this case, means not only respect (for example, it is quite difficult to respect a board) but the student's willingness to accept the conditions: hard work, diligence, monotony, multiple repetitions, and lack of instant results. Bowing, the adept, as it were, says to himself: "I am ready to accept all this, the Path is endless, and I am just a student on this path."

Ritsurei - a standing bow

The first thing to do is to stand up straight and put the heels together and the toes apart (in karate, musubi-dachi).

Then we bend the whole torso together with the head as one unit.

Notice:

• do not look "sideways"; the gaze follows the movement of the body;

• keep your arms at the side of your torso;

• do not fold your arms in front of you: this is a "female variant", and the dojo does not emphasize gender;

• do not hold your palms in front of you in the "prayer" position: this is appropriate only in the temple.

Depending on the situation, the depth of bowing is different:

• about 15 degrees in an informal setting, among friends;

• about 30 degrees in a formal situation (practice in the dojo is just an example of this setting);

• 45 degrees for a very respectful bow.

Zarei - a sitting bow

Relax, breathe out.

Start with your left foot. Lift it lightly backwards. Keep your spine straight.

Lower your left knee to the floor, then your right knee. After that, take the position called 'Giza'. Now you are sitting on your knees, but your feet are touching the floor with the transversal arch - your toes are turned inwards. Your palms are already 'resting' on your hips.

Now it remains to align the feet. We straighten our toes by crossing our thumbs. This is 'Seiza'.

Now we are immobilised - "Itsuki". In Budo, this is the most undesirable state, so you must keep your spine as straight as possible so your weight doesn't go backward. Imagine the 'top of your head is holding you'. This will shift your centre of gravity forward and be between your knees and hips. It must feel like a thin sheet of paper between your buttocks and heels, so you can easily pull it out from under you. If you lean back, however, your body freezes. Outwardly the difference is almost invisible, but the body feels it well.

You can make arm and leg kicks from the correct sitting position, get up quickly and repel a sudden attack. By the way, Seiza is also called 'sitting properly'.

Finally, one must perform the bow.

There are two styles of sitting bow: hands in turn or both at once. In JKA we stick to the second one.

First, we lean the upper body forward so that the palms, gathered in a triangle shape, naturally slide from the hips to the floor.

There will be three degrees of politeness here too:

• the deepest bow - your elbows touching the floor;

• formal bow - your palms are fully against the floor;

• a slight bow - only the toes touch the floor.

No matter how deep we bow, our back remains straight, and we do not "show" the back of our head.

At this point, we exhale. Afterwards, we naturally straighten up on the inhale without pushing off the floor or leaning on the floor with our hands. This may be easier, but it is considered rude. Also, please do not create a vulnerable point in your hands: they must remain free.

Always keep a straight line from the coccyx to the back of the head. Standing up, we first go to the Giza position, then bring the right foot forward. Try not to put your foot in front of you, as you can't stand straight. You have to shift your weight from one foot to the other. If you put your right foot in front of you, it will be our weak point. It's hard to stand up without leaning forward. And, of course, if the right leg gets hurt, we can't defend effectively.

So, put your right foot straight at your left knee from the Giza position. Now you can stand up straight and level without extra movement or shifting your centre of gravity. When we stand up, we take a breath.

We learn how to do the bow.

Budo is amazing. In it, we learn respect while being constantly mindful of controlling our bodies. We give meaning to every movement we make by thinking about possible danger. Unnecessary movements create new points of vulnerability. Therefore, they have no place in Budo and our training. By controlling our bodies, we cultivate self-control and achieve the true peaceful goals of Budo.

Dmitry Osika

The section "What is the meaning of bowing?" was written by Nikolai Korovin