last update 17-jan-2005
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Bowing

On entering the dojo you step on the mat with your left foot first. After you have placed your right foot on the mat as well, you bow towards the shomen (that's usually where a picture hangs on the wall). By stepping on the mat with your left foot first you can never turn your back towards this position.

At the beginning of class all students are lined up in order of belt level on the side of the mat. On the right hand side (from the students' point of view) stands the highest graded student of the group (sempai). The Sempai makes sure that students are correctly lined up and commences the greeting ceremony.

The teacher (sensei) stands opposite of the group.

The Sempai says: "Sei-za".
Everyone sits in za-zen, left knee first.
The Sempai says: "Mokuso".
Everyone closes their eyes, meditates and clears the mind.
The Sempai says: "Mokuso yame".
Everyone opens their eyes.
The Sempai says: "Sensei ni rei".
Everyone greets each other by placing both hands simultaneously on the mat in front of them and by bowing. The group adjusts the speed of bowing to the Sensei.
The Sempai says: "Ge-ritsu"
Everyone stands up, right foot first.
The Sempai says: "Rei"
Everyone greets while standing by bowing with the hands placed on the upper legs.

After the sensei's explanation you find a new partner to train with. You greet this partner and then you find a place on the mat to train.

After the class there is another greeting ceremony which is the same as the one at the start of the class (see above). In some dojos it is customary to greet your last training partner after the greeting ceremony. This is a kneeling bow.

Upon leaving the dojo you greet the shomen and step off the mat right foot first. This way you can never turn your back towards this position.