תרגול אנסין – חלק ב – אנסין 6

Although social customs differ widely from country to country, bowing is one of the oldest and most recognized gestures of respect. In many Asian cultures, it is still an essential form of greeting, expressing humility and deference. Even today, bowing continues to hold meaning in formal settings, despite the growing influence of Western habits such as handshakes or hugs.

The question of how to bow “correctly” has been debated for centuries. In 1901, a Japanese etiquette scholar, Shigeki Okada, published The Art of Respectful Conduct, a guidebook detailing the nuances of bowing. While much has changed since Okada’s time, his observations still shed light on the cultural importance of this simple act:

A bow should be performed with sincerity, neither rushed nor exaggerated. Too shallow a bow may appear careless, while an overly deep bow may seem theatrical or insincere. The eyes should be lowered, but not shut, and the hands should remain naturally at the sides. What host feels honored if his guest jerks forward awkwardly, resembling a folding chair collapsing?

Okada also emphasized that the bow conveys not just formality but emotion. A respectful bow should be accompanied by composure, as if one’s very posture is speaking on behalf of the heart. He warned against bows that appear lazy, comparing them to a door swinging on loose hinges. Moreover, he insisted that in official settings, one should never substitute a bow with a casual nod of the head—such shortcuts diminished the dignity of the exchange.