Niju Kun

1. Do not forget that karate begins with a bow and finishes with a bow.

Bowing in western society is something rarely seen outside of a dojo atmosphere. However, once you set foot inside the dojo, you should be immediately transported to a different time and place. A time and place where bowing is the ultimate act of respect, acknowledgment, and sincerity. Bow, or rei, in Japanese literally translated means to greet and salute. In addition to those translations, bowing can also be used to mean encouragement, sympathy, gratefulness, spirit, diligence and order.
It is no accident that Master Funakoshi began the Niju Kun with bowing. Rei is the very first thing a new student learns. The correct footing, hand and head position is critical in order to convey the proper feeling. When bowing from a standing position (ritsu-rei), you must bow from the center of your body, or waist, and lower your head. We lower our head in order to express trust and humility. When one is humble they are more able to learn. Along with lowering your head, your eyes should be looking downward or forward on the floor- never at your opponent. Your arms and hands should be simply relaxed at your side – do not hold on to your gi, slap your legs, or make any sound with your hands. Your feet should be in musubi dachi: heels touching one another and making a ‘V’ shape angling them outwards. When you bow, bend forward about 45 degrees without moving your arms or hands from your side, pause, then slowly return to a standing position.

Bowing from a sitting position, or from seiza, is a more formal way to bow and that is why it is performed at the beginning and the end of every training. From the seiza position, lower your left hand to the floor in front of your left knee, then follow with your right hand. When the hands are on the floor, your index fingers should be touching, making a triangular shape between your two hands. When your hands are on the floor, bend your body at the waist and lower yourself to the floor. Your neck and head should be bent toward the floor and your eyes closed or gazing slightly ahead of you. Since this is a more formal way to bow, you will stay in the bowing position for slightly longer than the standing bow. Once the bow is completed sit up in the reverse order – slide hands back to legs then sit up slowly to a straight-backed position.

Correct bow from seiza 

While the physical act of bowing is quickly learned, it is much more difficult to master the mental bow. Every time we bow in the dojo, we must not only bow with our bodies, but with our mind as well. When we bow before our instructors, it is a way of saying, ‘help me and teach me more.’ When facing a fellow karate player during class or a tournament, you should be thinking (during your bow) ‘I trust and respect you and I am entering this endeavor to practice my skills and nothing more.’ You should be able to exude these feelings when you preform your bow. Sadly, many practitioners have forgotten about this and bow without feeling or care. I affirm that these players are not true martial artists. Bowing with sincerity is the utmost way of showing courtesy and as Sensei Okazaki has said many times before, “If you do not show courtesy you are not a true martial artist.” As martial artists we should distinguish ourselves from the rest of the population, and show everyone respect and courtesy. This ideal should be active in your trainings, but also outside of the dojo as well. Bowing reminds us that everyone deserves respect, from small innocent children to dangerous enemies; for they all have the ability to teach us something.
When you bow in the dojo, remember that you are performing a genuine act. Bowing communicates a lot about a person, so make sure you are sending the right signals.  The signals depend on the situation, so be mindful of that. Never intentionally disregard someone’s bow to you or do a ‘quick’ bow as you enter the floor. Always bow with intention and sincerity. Bowing is a part of our training as martial artists. Just like we would never do kihon, kata or kumite without purpose, we should never bow without purpose or focus. Master Funakoshi reminds us that karate should always begin and end with a bow; so it is important to begin and end your training with these ideals in mind.