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Some thoughts on bowing and other courtesies
By Shinsei (Roger Sheldon) 14 March 2006
 
   
  There is a great deal of misunderstanding regarding the rei (bow) in our martial art.  For long I have been meaning to do something to address this situation as regards Shinseido, but time and the millstone of indoctrination around my neck have waylaid me in this matter.  Now I am setting to put things right.
   
  Our art is very old, it was practised in backyards, courtyards and homes 150 years ago among one or two people at a time, maybe as many as three or four.  However, be assured, there were no formal classes for our art as we know them today.  These were the days before Japanese and American militarism permeated the art and changed it beyond all recognition.  This was in the days before all the propaganda instilled within us the sense that martial arts embodied certain procedures that were as essential as is air for us to breathe.
   
  I was brought up in a Japanese style martial environment and so carry a considerable mill stone around my neck.  Old habits can die hard.  As time passes I am doing better in challenging perceptions however.
   
  Since the earliest times, when a nation has absorbed ideas and activities from another country, it has taken the idea or activity, but not necessarily the culture.  When the Okinawans learned martial arts from China they were very quick to Okinawan-ize them.  When the Japanese learned karate from the Okinawans they did so and immediately imbued the art with Japanese culture.  Why we in the West are so anxious to slavishly copy the cultural components of our art as well as the art itself is something of a puzzle.
   
  So let me make a point...   Shinseido is not a militaristic system.  It is not American and it is not Japanese.  It is English despite being rooted firmly in old Ryukyuan tradition.  We go to great lengths to get our art 'right' by old Ryukyu standards, but not culturally for we are English and do things and perceive things in different ways.
   
  You do not need to bow on entering or leaving the dojo.
   
  We have a bow of courtesy to start and finish the class, standing in a circle – the bow should be friendly and informal as befits our family like group.
   
  As regards the bow, too much formality is as inappropriate as too little.  It shouldn't be stiff and militaristic, but natural, friendly and courteous.  You shouldn't dwell on the bow lending it pomposity, just do it and finish.  But if it is seen as cursory, a throwaway nod of the head, then that would be insulting.  Always lower the eyes when bowing.
   
  You may bow to a partner with whom you have been asked to train when you pair up to start.  It should be a friendly and informal bow.  You may bow when you stop training with that person.  It is not necessary to bow for every exercise you do.
   
 

When practising kata in the dojo, you do not need to bow to start or finish the form.  If you are demonstrating kata or another exercise to a significant audience you may bow (if you wish) to start your demonstration but always bow to finish.
   
  You will not be reprimanded for bowing when you don't need to, it is simply an unnecessary process.
   
  Nothing is fixed, it is on balance, and that is the problem.  It would be far safer to teach students to bow for everything, and then they wouldn't run the risk of committing a faux pas on unusual occasions.  But that is not my way as you know.
   
  Just try to be sensitive and aware - remember the three  respects, respect for your elders, respect for those of greater experience, and respect for those of higher status (as in whether you are addressing a foundation (white belt), intermediate (green belt), higher (brown belt) student, practitioner (black belt) or sensei etc.  As you know I do not think in terms of a vertical hierarchy - and hopefully you understand my sense that the teacher is also the student and the student the teacher.
   
  I do not ask anyone in my dojo to call me sensei, however, the millstone of my sensibilities is sometimes offended when a student addresses me in casual "Rog" terms, or a very young student addresses me as Roger.  Again this is a matter of common courtesy, sensitivity and respect.  I don't mind being addressed as Roger, or sensei providing it is respectful - it's as simple as that.  Think as I do, of the dojo members being members of a family...  there is respect, there is also informality.
   
  You don't need to bow to me or call me sensei outside the dojo - remember, we are English, not Japanese.