Bowing Ceremony

Start and Finish of a class

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Traditional Kneeling Bow in

  • Line up, in rank order, Lower ranks to the Left side of the Dojo

  • Senseis at front will turn to face the Shomen (front of the Dojo, sign or shrine)

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Seiza" - crouch and place left knee on the floor, followed by right knee.  Sit on crossed or touching feet, Back straight, knees 2 fists apart, hands resting half way down the thighs.

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Mokuso"  - Close your eyes and be still.  Meditate, clear your mind of your day, prepare to focus on Karate training.

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Mokuso Yame" - Open your eyes.

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Shomen Ni Rei" - Bow towards the Shomen, Left hand to the floor first, Right hand follows, Right hand back to thigh, Left hand follows.  Thanking the Forefathers of Karate for making this possible.

  • Senseis turn around and face the class.

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Sensei Ni Rei" - Everyone bow towards the Sensei(s), the Senseis bow back.  Only the students say "Osu"

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Otagai Ni Rei" - Repeat of the same bow but this time everyone says "Osu"

  • Sensei will call to stand up.  Do so by lifting your Right leg up to a kneeling position first, then stand directly upward.

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Okinawan Standing Bow in

  • Line up, in rank order, Lower ranks to the Left side of the Dojo

  • Senseis at front will turn to face the Shomen (front of the Dojo, sign or shrine)

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Shomen Ni Rei" - A standing bow towards the Shomen.  Thanking the Forefathers of Karate for making this possible.

  • Senseis turn around and face the class.

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Sensei Ni Rei" - Everyone bow towards the Sensei(s), the Senseis bow back.  Only the students say "Osu"

  • Senior Ka (Student) calls "Otagai Ni Rei" - Repeat of the same bow but this time everyone says "Osu"