How to Bow in Japan

A Few Words on the History of Bowing

Most probably, bowing in Japan started during the Asuka and Nara periods (538-794), when Chinese Buddhism was introduced to the country. To Buddhists, bowing is a direct reflection of your status. When you meet someone who occupies a higher position in the social hierarchy, you should put yourself in a vulnerable position, then offer your head and bow.

It is a simple way to show the other person that you don’t represent a danger for them.

What about Shaking Hands?

Being a foreigner allows you some freedom from the strict rules of Japanese etiquette. To avoid awkward situations, many Japanese will greet you with a handshake. If you are in Japan for business, expect to see a combination of bowing and handshakes. Handshakes being so rare, they are the sign of a strong connection.

However, to avoid mistakes, do what other people do and return a bow when someone offers you one. Showing that you are trying to adapt to the local etiquette is a sign of respect.

So, if someone is offering you their hand, give them a handshake. If you want to bow, express your intent clearly. When shaking hands, maintain eye contact; when bowing, keep your gaze down.

Different Ways of Bowing

You can bow in many different ways in Japan. Bows depend on the social status or age of the person you are bowing to. If someone is older than you, or has a higher status than yours, the bow will be deeper and longer – a way to show respect. In Japan, people with a high status are teachers, employers, spiritual and political leaders, and so on.

• Eshaku: The most informal bow is a bend of 15 degrees. It is a casual greeting, used in daily life to greet someone you know, someone who is your equal socially (a friend, for example, or a co-worker).
• Keirei or futsuurei: A 30-degree bow, used generally for more formal events, especially during business interactions. It is a way to show respect to those occupying a higher position. You should hold the bow for about two-and-a-half seconds.
• Saikerei: This bow of 45-degrees is the most formal one. When performing it, remember to look at your feet and not at the person you are bowing to. It is a bow that shows a profound, respectful greeting, deep gratitude, or a formal apology. It is the kind of bow that heads of the state use to greet Japanese leaders, or that people use when meeting the Emperor, or for dramatic apologies.

Sitting Bow

A bow can be performed while standing or sitting. The seated position is called seiza. Seiza is the way you should sit in every formal situation – a tea ceremony or a funeral, for example. To get into seiza, start by kneeling. Put the tops of your feet flat on the floor, with the toes pointed behind you, and rest your hindquarters on your heels or calves. Keep your back straight.

To perform a bow from the sitting position, place your palms on your tights and bend forward. It is not as easy as it sounds, and it might require some practice – especially if you have to sit in that position for an extended period of time.

Learn the Basic Bow

You should learn at least how to be comfortable with the informal, basic bow. It is actually pretty simple. Make a 15-degree angle while keeping your back straight. Men are expected to keep their hands on the sides, while women can put their hands on both thighs.

When to Bow

In Japan, bowing can mean a lot of different things: respect, apology, greeting, gratitude, among others. Basically you bow when a situation requires additional respect. You might want to bow in order to:

• Greet someone or welcome them
• Show respect
• Express gratitude
• Congratulate someone
• Expressing sympathy
• Asking for a favor
• Apologize for something
• Begin a formal ceremony