Chinese v. Japanese bowing

[opr1945]

what is the difference between Chinese and Japanese bowing?
Tks. opr1945

 

[isshinryuronin]

At first glance of this quote, I thought the last word was bowling and was anticipating a punch line.

what is the difference between Chinese and Japanese bowing?
Tks. opr1945

What's the difference between ignorance and apathy? - I don't know and I don't care.

What's the difference between a cat and a comma? - A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a pause at the end of a clause.

What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup? - You can roast beef, but you can't pee soup.

 

[opr1945]

In a thread I read yesterday, which I can't find now, there was a post about several videos from a Martial Arts school about the authentisity of the movements being taught and someone made a comment about mixing up Chinese and Japanese bowing among other things. I didn't know there was a difference, so I was hoping someone could enlighten me on the subject.

 

[opr1945]

Wow, I just found it!

"I get big questions marks when I see Chinese bow in Japanese clothing. I become even more confuse when I see Chinese bow with Japanese bow. " [B]JowGaWolf[/B] Sr. Grandmaster, post #18 in thread "Old guy doing new things."

Old guy doing new things.

Hello, I'm 51 and have been shopping around for a Martial Art to take, I've decided to go against popular opinion and skip Jiu Jitsu and instead go with Karate. My question is the local school I think is a chain, Amerikicks. I hear people talk of things like belt factories and such. I was...

www.martialtalk.com

 

[Gyakuto]

I’ll briefly describe the correct way to bow in Japanese martial arts.

1) Your heels should be lightly touching each other, with the feet splayed out a boy 30-45 degree (Musubi dachi).
2) Your hands should be held lightly against your thighs. Do not slap your hands against your thighs.
3) Bend forwards from your hips/waist keeping your back and neck in line (‘straight’. Do not bob your head forward)
4) The angle of bow depends upon who or what you are bowing and is highly prescribed.
5) Your eyes should naturally face downward at the angle to which you’ve bowed.
6) Hold for 1-2 seconds.
7) Rise to the vertical position.

 

[opr1945]

....and Chinese bowing is different how?

 

[Gyakuto]

....and Chinese bowing is different how?

Perhaps a practitioner of Chinese MA will be able to enlighten you.

 

[Gyakuto]

Bowing tends to feel awkward for Westerners since we seldom perform such a movement (unless you’re a magistrate or meeting lots of Royals). The clumsiest way of (Japanese) bowing I often see is when the feet are kept apart at about shoulder width, the arms dangle forward as the torso angles forward and the head is craned upwards as they try and eyeball their opponent <shudder>

 

[opr1945]

Thank you. Actually, I had no idea there were different ways to bow.

 

[Xue Sheng]

 

[Gyakuto]

Thank you. Actually, I had no idea there were different ways to bow.

The Japanese codify everything. The Ogasawara samurai family were the main codifiers of correct etiquette and they’re still in existence today. The DVD they sell on their website is fantastically clear on how to do everything from bowing, walking kneeling and eating. I love watching it!

 

[opr1945]

WOW! very interesting, Thank you.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

At first glance of this quote, I thought the last word was bowling and was anticipating a punch line.

What's the difference between ignorance and apathy? - I don't know and I don't care.

What's the difference between a cat and a comma? - A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a comma is a pause at the end of a clause.

What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup? - You can roast beef, but you can't pee soup.

Well you can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

WOW! very interesting, Thank you.

Salutations vary fromCMA style to style. Wing Woo Gar has a 6 part salutation. Shaolin White crane has a completely different version. Certain southern family forms have a salutation at beginning or end or both. All 5 animal styles have a salutation that denotes which animal form is about to be displayed. In Wing Woo Gar the open hand represents the Scholarly arts and the fist represents the martial arts, they come together to form the virtue.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

....and Chinese bowing is different how?

CMA people bow like this.

 

[Gyakuto]

Salutations vary fromCMA style to style. Wing Woo Gar has a 6 part salutation. Shaolin White crane has a completely different version. Certain southern family forms have a salutation at beginning or end or both. All 5 animal styles have a salutation that denotes which animal form is about to be displayed. In Wing Woo Gar the open hand represents the Scholarly arts and the fist represents the martial arts, they come together to form the virtue.

Can you post any videos so we can see them?

This sort of gives you an idea of Japanese ‘reiho’

 

[Bujingodai]

We have 4 bows. One which I think was totally made up this century. But at least they are all based in respect. Mind you we don't bow with the head faced down. We face the person.

 

[Gyakuto]

We have 4 bows. One which I think was totally made up this century. But at least they are all based in respect.

Again, a video would help.

Mind you we don't bow with the head faced down. We face the person.

You mean you crane your neck up to look at your enemy in case they attack you?

 

[Bill Mattocks]

We teach two bows in our dojo. Tachi Rei and Za Rei. Tachi Rei is done standing and Za Rei is done kneeling. In both cases, one looks at the floor in front of the person or object (example: wall of honor or 'Shomen'). When bowing to a senior, one remains in the bow until the person one is bowing to lifts up.

Since our style (Isshinryu) was mostly taught to US Marines in Okinawa by the founder, this was easily understood as being similar in function if not form to military discipline and salutes.

We don't get too crazy with it. We've been corrected slightly by visiting dignitaries from Okinawa, but only slightly. We're not too far off.

EDIT: We've had a few people on MT that have a distinct aversion to bowing or showing any kind of respect during what they consider transactional training - they pay, they get taught, end of formality. I get it, but as a US Marine veteran myself, it doesn't bother me to bow and render respect.

 

[Bujingodai]

Video, have none. I will see if I can find reference though I doubt that will exist. Like I said, made up. Just stuck around

And yes, I prefer it to be that we respect the opponent to say that they could be a potential threat. Way I was taught.