Title: Bowing in Japan - Wikipedia
Headings: Bowing in Japan
Bowing in Japan
Contents
History
In the business world
Eshaku
Keirei
Saikeirei
Zarei
Saikeirei (zarei version)
Futsūrei
Senrei
In various activities
Kendo
Shinto shrine visits
Funerals
The tea ceremony
When to bow
How to bow
See also
References
Bibliography
External links

Content: Generally speaking, ojigi in Japan can be coarsely divided into two categories: zarei ( 座礼 ), bowing while kneeling, and ritsurei ( 立礼 ), bowing while standing. In either case, it is considered essential to bend one's body only at the waist and keep one's back completely straight during the bowing gesture. Failure to do so is often thought of as an indication of lethargy, insincerity and even disrespect. Different sub-categories of ojigi vary mainly in the angles of inclination of one's body and the positions of one's hands, which are determined both by the status of the person one is bowing to and the scenario or context of gesture. Contents
1 History
2 In the business world
2.1 Eshaku
2.2 Keirei
2.3 Saikeirei
3 Zarei
3.1 Saikeirei (zarei version)
3.2 Futsūrei
3.3 Senrei
4 In various activities
4.1 Kendo
4.2 Shinto shrine visits
4.3 Funerals
4.4 The tea ceremony
4.4.1 When to bow
4.4.2 How to bow
5 See also
6 References
7 Bibliography
8 External links
History
See also: History of Japan
While there are few official records on how the etiquette of bowing originated in Japan, it is widely believed that it traces its roots back to the propagation of Buddhism to Japan from the kingdoms of ancient China between the 5th and 8th centuries. In Buddhist teachings, bowing is an important gesture of piety and respect. Worshipers bow to Buddha statues in devotion, and disciples bow to their masters in admiration. Such religious etiquette was often believed to be the foundation of ojigi in Japan.