The Importance of Bowing in the Japanese Martial Arts

For some Americans bowing can be a problem. Americans are taught from an early age never to bow down to anyone. Bowing is perceived as a sign of weakness. That same American then walks into a Japanese dojo to study a martial art and the first thing he or she is taught is how to bow. Bow to the Sensei, bow before entering the dojo, bow toward the kamidana before stepping on the tatami, bow to fellow students, etc. a lot of bowing to say the least.

Why not just get rid of it? Why not just shake hands? Why not? because it is perhaps the most important part of the training. Besides a sign of respect to your Sensei and fellow students, bowing is an act of mindfulness. The bow stops us from just walking around the dojo with our heads in the clouds. The bow helps remind us that the sword is sharp and can seriously injure us. The bow reminds us that the dojo is a place that represents 100's of years of history. A history of blood, sweat, and tears and that needs to be honored in every bow.

As a Sensei I am humbled every time a student bows to me. It reminds me of my awesome responsibility to that student and his or her training. My teacher always used to say "the day you think you deserve the bow is the day you should stop teaching." The bow keeps the ego in check.

All things are revealed in a single bow.

By Ted Hanulak

Ted Hanulak is the head instructor / Sensei of the Japanese martial art of Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu. He teaches Aikijutsu and Zen meditation out of the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis http://www.aiki-jutsu.com

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