The shomen, and why we bow in the dojo.
The Shomen
Shomen (which means front) it has pictured L>R: Hanshisei Eihachi Ota (Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate, Late Hanshisei Shinpo Matayoshi (Okinawan White Crane Kenpo), Hanshisei Tony Cogliandro (Parker Kenpo & American Karate International), Hanshi Bill Conley (Founder/President of the Shurikan Dojos Association), Shihan Bill Adams (Sr. Exec. Vice President of the Shurikan Dojos Association), and Sensei/Shidoin Brandon Dowling (Exec. Vice President of the Shurikan Dojos Association). To the far left in Japanese: Shorin Kenpo Karate. To the far right in Japenese: Shurikan Dojos. Bottom center is our Shurikan Dojos logo.
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Our Shomen on display at the St Stephen Dojo/Kirk McColl United Church Hall.
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What's in a Bow?
Bowing in the Orient is an everyday thing, part of the culture. Shaking hands is a western practice, that people in the Orient have picked up to best assimilate with the major western cultures and people. However, shaking hands is not the greeting/salutation of choice between folks in the Oriental cultures. The regular bowing, and especially kneeling & bowing, can be frequently misinterpreted.
The kneeling and bowing in the Dojo, has NO religious aspect at all. BUT it is part of the culture and discipline of Karate and Okinawa. In Okinawa/Japan people at home, in restaurants, wherever kneel more than sit. That's their culture and way of doing things. You could say but we're not in Okinawa> but my response is: I teach a traditional, complete, Karate system. Where you will also learn the culture, discipline, and tradition of Karate and its source country, Okinawa> not religion. To connect religion, in anyway, is incorrect and misguided. These are protocols that every legitimate Karate Dojo/school do all over the world. When we bow to the Shomen (which means front) it has a picture of my teacher and his teachers, we are simply acknowledging them and showing respect. There is also an American & Canadian flag (I have Dojos/schools in both the U.S. & Canada), and an Okinawan flag on it. Okinawa is the origin country for Karate. As well in Japanese it says Okinawan Shorin Ryu (our style of Karate), and Shurikan Dojos (the name of our schools). Shurikan means the place of Shuri. Shuri is an ancient city in Okinawa where our style of Karate began. Shorin was once called Shuri Te (Shuri Hand).
Bottom line is this: To understand the meaning behind any action or gesture, it is not derived from that action or gesture itself> but rather it is in the intent of the actor! So with that stated, bowing (kneeling or standing) in the Dojo is solely and strictly with the intent of a greeting and/or showing respect.
Shihan C
The kneeling and bowing in the Dojo, has NO religious aspect at all. BUT it is part of the culture and discipline of Karate and Okinawa. In Okinawa/Japan people at home, in restaurants, wherever kneel more than sit. That's their culture and way of doing things. You could say but we're not in Okinawa> but my response is: I teach a traditional, complete, Karate system. Where you will also learn the culture, discipline, and tradition of Karate and its source country, Okinawa> not religion. To connect religion, in anyway, is incorrect and misguided. These are protocols that every legitimate Karate Dojo/school do all over the world. When we bow to the Shomen (which means front) it has a picture of my teacher and his teachers, we are simply acknowledging them and showing respect. There is also an American & Canadian flag (I have Dojos/schools in both the U.S. & Canada), and an Okinawan flag on it. Okinawa is the origin country for Karate. As well in Japanese it says Okinawan Shorin Ryu (our style of Karate), and Shurikan Dojos (the name of our schools). Shurikan means the place of Shuri. Shuri is an ancient city in Okinawa where our style of Karate began. Shorin was once called Shuri Te (Shuri Hand).
Bottom line is this: To understand the meaning behind any action or gesture, it is not derived from that action or gesture itself> but rather it is in the intent of the actor! So with that stated, bowing (kneeling or standing) in the Dojo is solely and strictly with the intent of a greeting and/or showing respect.
Shihan C
To see additional information, please click on the Link Buttons below.
It is hoped this may help towards clarity over this subject of bowing.
Arigato gozaimash'te!
Shihan C
Arigato gozaimash'te!
Shihan C
