お辞儀 (Ojigi) – Bowing

11th July – 文月 (Fuzuki)

お辞儀: bowing action. Japanese generally bow in the situation of greeting, thanking, apologizing, asking favor and worshipping at the temples, shrines.

Perhaps, you might have seen some movie scenes that Japanese person bows when calling, or all the kids in the class bowing at the same time when the class starts.

Japanese put great importance on お辞儀 (Ojigi), and do it in both normal every day situation and special occasions.

There are some types of different Ojigi style depending on the situations:

会釈 (Eshaku): bowing at 15degree angle, Used when greeting close friends, coworkers and so on.

敬礼 (Keirei): bowing at 30degree angle, politer than Eshaku. When meeting new person or customer, bowing Keirei style in order to show gratitude and greeting.

最敬礼 (Saikeirei): bowing at 45degree angle, politer than Keirei. Lower the head for about 4 to 5 seconds especially in the case of apologizing. Used toward the respected person such as ones in very high positions.

Different meaning of bowing: now and past

In the past, bowing was perceived as the sign of no hostility. By showing the neck, where is the weakness of human body, people in the past indicated they want to make alliances.

However, somehow bowing nowadays is done when we want to show gratitude, apology, respects.

How to お辞儀？

If you follow some key points below, you can bow like a good-mannered Japanese!

• stretch your back
• put arms on the side of your body and stretch your fingers
• make ‘V’ on your feet (put heels together and separate toes)
• pull your chin
• vend from the waist
• Look at the other’s eyes

Importantly, you need to finish saying words first and then bow after. ながら動作 (Nagara Dousa: Doing something else while doing other thing, not focused in one thing) is not polite when bowing.

Count 1 when you start bowing, 2 and 3 when you stop at the position of lowing your head, then bring your body back to stretch the posture again by counting 4.

Bowing too many times is actually not a good manner as it can be perceived as not sincere. Therefore, put all concentration on bowing once!

Due to the virus issue, it is avoided to touch other people. To get along with this problem, instead of shaking hands, it might be good to practice alternative way, bow when greeting!

追記 (P.S)

I am bowing to my best blog reader, Akash who has been waited for me to restart writing this blog again😊 Finally I am back again with great health / life condition! Massive thank you so much for being my motivation to write this blog, hope you are keen for the new contents🍀