Bowing

F.J. Lovret, a martial arts writer, composed the following which is found in all of the USCKF student manuals.

"Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy" is a saying of Gichin Funakoshi who is known as the Father of Modern Karate. To instill this into all karate students, they are taught and required to bow from both a standing and a seated position.

Just as meditation has no religious significance, the bow as used in karate training also has no religious significance. A bow is an oriental form of courtesy similar to an American handshake or a military salute. To bow to another is to politely show your respect. When the other person returns the bow they return the respect that you have bestowed upon them.

Karate is a martial (military) art and the karate school, just like the military, have what is known as the "Chain of Command."   If you have any military experience you should have no trouble understanding this principle. You initiate a bow to your senior and return a bow from your junior.  You talk respectfully to your senior and abruptly to your junior. You obey your senior and order your junior. Everything is either uphill or downhill.

A martial art bow (karate, judo, kendo, etc.) Is different from a regular Japanese bow among civilians. Due to the intensity of the art of karate the rules tend to be more rigidly enforced than in regular Japanese society. Bows are stiffer, more militaristic, and the rank distinctions are more obvious.  If you have ever been a member of a highly disciplined organization such as the U.S. Marines, you will fit right in. Just apply the same rules of behavior. For those of you who never been in the military here are some guidelines:

1.  Bow to the sensei upon every meeting.

2. Bow to your seniors upon meeting them for the first time each day.

3.  Respond to any instruction from a senior with "ous" and a bow.

4.  Never question any statement from a senior.

5.  Remember a senior does not ask a junior to do something, he tells him.

6.  When in doubt BOW.

HELPFUL HINTS

Never set in a position on the training area or mat that is senior to be spot occupied by your senior.  Buy a senior spot I mean one that is closer to the [kamiza] or upper side of the mat or training area.

When lining up for class, sit in order of rank. If there is someone to your right, make your line straight by lining up on the same board they are on. If you are in the second row of KYU ranks (white, yellow, orange, green and brown belts) you should be standing behind someone who is in the first row, well leaving know empty spaces to your right.