Title: A Guide to Using Important Japanese Gestures Properly
Headings: Important Japanese Gestures and How to Do Them Properly
Important Japanese Gestures and How to Do Them Properly
The Right Way to Sit on a Tatami Mat and Other Tips
The Proper Way to Sit on Tatami
The Right Way to Beckon in Japan
How to Indicate Yourself ("Who, Me?")
Banzai

Content: A Guide to Using Important Japanese Gestures Properly
Languages › Japanese
Important Japanese Gestures and How to Do Them Properly
The Right Way to Sit on a Tatami Mat and Other Tips
Ingo Tews / Getty Images
Japanese
History & Culture
Essential Japanese Vocabulary
Japanese Grammar
By
Namiko Abe
Japanese Language Expert
B.A., Kwansei Gakuin University
Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years. our editorial process
Namiko Abe
Updated August 21, 2019
While language is a major way of communicating between cultures, a lot of information is packed in-between the lines. In every culture, there are subtleties to pay attention to in order to abide by social customs and rules of politeness . Here is a breakdown on important gestures in Japanese culture, from the right way to sit on a tatami mat to how to point at yourself. The Proper Way to Sit on Tatami
The Japanese have traditionally sat on tatami (a padded straw mat) at their homes. However, many homes today are completely Western in style and don't have Japanese style rooms with tatami. Many young Japanese are no longer able to sit properly on a tatami. The proper way of sitting on tatami is called seiza. Seiza requires that one bends the knees 180 degrees, tuck your calves under your thighs and sit on your heels.