Purpose of the Karate Bow

by LDelano on 02/02/11 at 2:23 pm

Purpose of the Karate Bow

Why Bow?

If you have spent any time watching or practicing the martial arts, you have noticed, discussed or practiced the art of bowing. Yes, the Art of…. What is up with that?

When karate was first introduced in the US, bowing associated with training added to the exotic aspect of the martial art. It was pretty much a universal aspect of training, and most people didn’t give it much thought beyond the idea that it help organize active training in the dojo. Anything taken for granted is then assumed to just be something to get passed. Learned, done and forgotten.

Actually, bowing within Okinawa-Te (OT) has a very real and practical purpose. Obviously, the act has an administrative purpose related to class organization and respect, but there is an even better “hidden” purpose. It is a terrific training aide since it is practiced over and over during typical class activity.

Remember, all activity during class is infused with learning and purpose, or should be.

Related Article: “Is the Bow meant to offend?“

Let’s review the standing bow. Typically, you assume the High Riding Horse (HRH) position prior to bowing. Since there is a specific way to assume HRH, which is essential to OT, repeated bows during training reinforce these and other essential motions over and over beyond the end position of the bow.

For effective training, you have to perform the actual bow correctly. Don’t leave yourself open by overly lowering your head or dropping your attention. Also, this position is not one of submission. It should express power, but not aggression. You do not hang your head down. Focus through what would be the upper chest area of an imagined opponent. If done correctly, the bow reinforces the overall stance and centering aspects needed to achieve effective position and movement.

As with every stance, there is movement required to assume the HRH position. With HRH, there is a circular “drawing” motion with the arms (at the wrist), right over left in a small circle. (The circle forces a practice of arcing.) Basically, you practice low inward to low outward blocks in a tight flowing/fluid motion. The hands end with your fists about 1 inch apart. The fists are slightly tweaked up. As your hands cross at the wrists with the inward parries, your feet are together. As you slide your right leg outward, you complete the double low outward parry.

The legs are a little more than shoulder width apart with knees bent. Your arms are forward with the fists covering your low point. To measure for correct spacing, pivot left or right and your lead arm should be in the precise spot for a Low Outward Angle Block.

Your chin is slightly down (but not pushed to your chest – has to be natural). You look out the top of your eyes. Your arms form the lower part of an oval pushed out from your body – surrounding the solar plexus center . This position forms the basis of various intercept patterns used to control incoming attacks and supports the standard OT posture.

Thus bowing forces a student to repeat a set of motions over and over that are at the core of OT. This activity is the “hidden” purpose of bowing. As with all things TE, it is a very practical practice. However, don’t over think it, just practice it correctly, again and again. Your OT will improve for the effort.

A lot of students become very sloppy with this motion. They take it for granted but don’t become one with it. Respect and focus are inherent in the act. What is not is the position of your body. There is a lot of incorrect body posture with the actual bow that defeats the training purpose of the bow. The physical positioning establishes a base for the mind and spirit. The physical alignment provides the structure for the projection of power. Nothing about this practice and position and motion should demonstrate meekness, weakness or laziness. This practice is an essential underpinning of the element of stance.

Related Article: “Is the Bow meant to offend?“

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