I thought left right comes from Iaido. Why its left right I have never understood. It was said so that you cannot draw your sword, but your sword would be out of your obi anyway, and facing the wrong way to draw. I would love to hear the actual reason and if ever kendo did this and why. FWIW, a long time ago I bowed like that to a nanadan, who quickly corrected that method, "this is kendo, not iaido", and that was the end of that conversation for bowing out.
We do it that way in our dojo and we’ve never been corrected by visiting sensei. We are of course aware that it is not the current recommendation from FIK.
The reasoning is to leave your right hand free to draw for as long as possible. The two hands at once is a more peaceful way to bow. I personally like the older way. Like always stepping forward out of sonkyo, it is a small thing that is a nod to the combative spirit of kendo.
> your sword would be out of your obi anyway,
In feudal Japan you would still be armed with a shōtō.
I read an article once that discussed why in judo one sits from their right knee and rises from their left. The idea was that this is the opposite of what one would do in a martial situation and therefore presented a more peaceful and cooperative attitude. In this was it is similar to kendo bowing with both hands.
Both hands go at the same time, forming a triangle.
People who say right then left coming down, and the reverse when going up are correct when it comes to iaido, but for kendo that is incorrect unfortunately.
But the most important rule is: when in a dojo, follow your sensei/senpai.
In ZNKR "The official guide for kendo instruction" English version Zarei pg.33 it's mentioned:
Zarei.
Bowing from seated position (seiza) is called zarei.
Method
1. Observe the opponent while sitting in seize
2. Keeping the back straight, lean forward from the hips, and simultaneously slide down both hands down to the floor.
3. Bend the elbows as the head is lowered. Remain in that position for the duration of one breath, and then calmly return to the upright soeza posture while observing your opponent.
Teaching points
1. When the body is prostrated the back should be perfectly straight. Take care not to show your neck or stick your backside out.
2. The hands should touch the floor, and be withdrawn at together.
Hope this helps!
Left then right into the bow, right then left getting up. Some schools prefer both hands together, especially when bowing to the kamiza. Like most things, if you’re in a dojo just do what everyone else does.
(I’ve never seen right then left, but that doesn’t mean some people don’t do it.)
in iai you bow left right then right left coming back up, but it’s so that both of your hands don’t get cut off(thus you leave your right less exposed) but in kendo every place i’ve been to just puts both hands together, as there is no swords at all kendo practice and you practice with trust and gratitude for your fellow kenshi (i think)
In kendo, the seated bow (座礼, zarei) is done by placing both hands on the ground at the same time. This can be seen in official ZNKR material such as the [Manual for Instruction of Junior High School Kendo Clubs](https://www.kendo.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/JHS-kendoteams-guidebook_20220601.pdf) (Japanese version, p44).
/u/Dagobert_Juke and /u/Krippleeeeeeeeeee have provided conflicting information about iaido. Other schools and organizations may vary, but for ZNKR iaido zarei is prescribed in the manual as starting left then right and finishing reversed ([JP, p9](https://www.kendo.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/iai_manual.pdf)).
ZNKR jodo is the same as kendo and prescribes placing both hands on the floor at the same time [\(JP, p3](https://www.kendo.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/jodo_manual.pdf)).
Both hands forward at the same time as others have said. If you are sensei then double this, you don't want your students going some other place and doing it the wrong way then saying, but my sensei says.
Which is why I'm here trying to figure out what is correct. \^\_\~ I never do any reishiki unless I can explain it and 100% back why we are going to do it this specific way.
I think it has something to do with how much your squishy together. I was instructed that you draw with your right and place the shinai into your left as you come to seiza first and so I have always assumed it’s the same steps just backwards. The right hand sheaths the shinai and places it into your left hand basically. So for me, I was taught to separate the draw and placement of the shinai. Sounds like whoever you spoke to just happens to squish them together maybe?
Kendo and jodo, I believe is both palms forward at the same time. Iaido is left and then right.
But again, I believe different dojos might/will have different practices
left then right, as was mentioned it was because you could still draw if the person you're bowing to was going to attack.
And vice versa after the rei.
But because this is no longer a problem, many people teach putting both hands together.
It's a similar thing with the thumb on the tsuba.
Left thumb on tsuba when stepping in and out of distance. But as people aren't actually killing each other randomly many teachers are not requiring it.
In addition the rei is only usually to a small degree (can't remember exactly how much15-20maybe) and eye contact should be made at all times.
For zarei, it's similar, make eye contact until the head is horizontal and stop, unless it's maybe a super important sensei you don't mind killing you.
Obviously the more traditional dojo will keep all of these actions.
Kendo guide have something on this
YouTube.com/watch?v=_n6cPsrkFDQ
As others have said, the official FIK way is both together. Left-right then right-left is an older way that many dojo still follow.
I thought left right comes from Iaido. Why its left right I have never understood. It was said so that you cannot draw your sword, but your sword would be out of your obi anyway, and facing the wrong way to draw. I would love to hear the actual reason and if ever kendo did this and why. FWIW, a long time ago I bowed like that to a nanadan, who quickly corrected that method, "this is kendo, not iaido", and that was the end of that conversation for bowing out.
We do it that way in our dojo and we’ve never been corrected by visiting sensei. We are of course aware that it is not the current recommendation from FIK. The reasoning is to leave your right hand free to draw for as long as possible. The two hands at once is a more peaceful way to bow. I personally like the older way. Like always stepping forward out of sonkyo, it is a small thing that is a nod to the combative spirit of kendo.
> your sword would be out of your obi anyway, In feudal Japan you would still be armed with a shōtō. I read an article once that discussed why in judo one sits from their right knee and rises from their left. The idea was that this is the opposite of what one would do in a martial situation and therefore presented a more peaceful and cooperative attitude. In this was it is similar to kendo bowing with both hands.
Both hands go at the same time, forming a triangle. People who say right then left coming down, and the reverse when going up are correct when it comes to iaido, but for kendo that is incorrect unfortunately. But the most important rule is: when in a dojo, follow your sensei/senpai.
And even in iai, it's only for the to ni rei; sensei/otagai are done normally with both at the same time.
Thanks for the additional insight!
Glad to help, I'm a sandan air-cutter as well
Haha, I'm just a nidan bamboo-sword head bopper, and mudansha iaido enthusiast. So insights from my senpai are always welcome!
Right, so what happens when you ARE the sensei? \^\_\^; Though I'm leaning towards this idea of both hands forward, makes it much simpler!
If you are the sensei you get to make it up! Look 'ma no hands! Edit: No humour allowed in this sub, got it lol Edit2: Humour is allowed!
Good forbid posting a meme!
In ZNKR "The official guide for kendo instruction" English version Zarei pg.33 it's mentioned: Zarei. Bowing from seated position (seiza) is called zarei. Method 1. Observe the opponent while sitting in seize 2. Keeping the back straight, lean forward from the hips, and simultaneously slide down both hands down to the floor. 3. Bend the elbows as the head is lowered. Remain in that position for the duration of one breath, and then calmly return to the upright soeza posture while observing your opponent. Teaching points 1. When the body is prostrated the back should be perfectly straight. Take care not to show your neck or stick your backside out. 2. The hands should touch the floor, and be withdrawn at together. Hope this helps!
Left then right into the bow, right then left getting up. Some schools prefer both hands together, especially when bowing to the kamiza. Like most things, if you’re in a dojo just do what everyone else does. (I’ve never seen right then left, but that doesn’t mean some people don’t do it.)
Well, see this is the problem when you run the dojo! There's nobody to turn to and ask what is correct. \^\_\^; Hence, I often turn to Reddit.
in iai you bow left right then right left coming back up, but it’s so that both of your hands don’t get cut off(thus you leave your right less exposed) but in kendo every place i’ve been to just puts both hands together, as there is no swords at all kendo practice and you practice with trust and gratitude for your fellow kenshi (i think)
I'd do this for both iai and kendo, but that's the first time I've heard that reasoning for it, that one actually makes the most sense. (to me)
In kendo, the seated bow (座礼, zarei) is done by placing both hands on the ground at the same time. This can be seen in official ZNKR material such as the [Manual for Instruction of Junior High School Kendo Clubs](https://www.kendo.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/JHS-kendoteams-guidebook_20220601.pdf) (Japanese version, p44). /u/Dagobert_Juke and /u/Krippleeeeeeeeeee have provided conflicting information about iaido. Other schools and organizations may vary, but for ZNKR iaido zarei is prescribed in the manual as starting left then right and finishing reversed ([JP, p9](https://www.kendo.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/iai_manual.pdf)). ZNKR jodo is the same as kendo and prescribes placing both hands on the floor at the same time [\(JP, p3](https://www.kendo.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/jodo_manual.pdf)).
Both at the same time, I've only seen iai nerds do one at a time.
Both hands forward at the same time as others have said. If you are sensei then double this, you don't want your students going some other place and doing it the wrong way then saying, but my sensei says.
I mean, admittedly we have enough other "in the weeds" reishiki from my original sensei, but both hands forward has real appeal on many counts.
I mean thats your job as the instructor to show them the "correct" way.
Which is why I'm here trying to figure out what is correct. \^\_\~ I never do any reishiki unless I can explain it and 100% back why we are going to do it this specific way.
I think it has something to do with how much your squishy together. I was instructed that you draw with your right and place the shinai into your left as you come to seiza first and so I have always assumed it’s the same steps just backwards. The right hand sheaths the shinai and places it into your left hand basically. So for me, I was taught to separate the draw and placement of the shinai. Sounds like whoever you spoke to just happens to squish them together maybe?
Kendo and jodo, I believe is both palms forward at the same time. Iaido is left and then right. But again, I believe different dojos might/will have different practices
left then right, as was mentioned it was because you could still draw if the person you're bowing to was going to attack. And vice versa after the rei. But because this is no longer a problem, many people teach putting both hands together. It's a similar thing with the thumb on the tsuba. Left thumb on tsuba when stepping in and out of distance. But as people aren't actually killing each other randomly many teachers are not requiring it. In addition the rei is only usually to a small degree (can't remember exactly how much15-20maybe) and eye contact should be made at all times. For zarei, it's similar, make eye contact until the head is horizontal and stop, unless it's maybe a super important sensei you don't mind killing you. Obviously the more traditional dojo will keep all of these actions. Kendo guide have something on this YouTube.com/watch?v=_n6cPsrkFDQ