Bow in Ceremony 

Start and Finish of a Class

Traditional Kneeling Bow in and out

• Line up, in rank order, lower ranks to the left side of the Dojo (when viewing from the back of the class).

• Sensei(s) at front will turn to face the Shomen (front of the Dojo, sign or shrine).

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Seiza" - crouch and place left knee on the floor, followed by right knee. Sit on crossed or touching feet, back straight, knees two fists apart, hands resting half way down the thighs.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Mokuso"  - Close your eyes and be still. Meditate, clear your mind of your day, prepare to focus on Karate training.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Mokuso Yame" - Open your eyes.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Shomen Ni Rei" - Bow towards the Shomen, left hand to the floor first, right hand follows, right hand back to thigh, left hand follows.  Thanking the Forefathers of Karate for making this possible.

• Sensei(s) turn around and face the class.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Sensei Ni Rei" - Everyone bows towards the Sensei(s), the Sensei(s) bow back. Only the students say "Oss".

• * (Optional) Sempai(s) turn around and face the class.

• * (Optional) Senior Ka (Student) calls "Sempai Ni Rei" - Everyone bows towards the Sempai(s), the Sempai(s) bow back. Only the students say "Oss".

• * (Optional) Sempai(s) turn back around to face the Shomen.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Otagai Ni Rei" - Repeat of the same bow but this time everyone says "Oss".

• Sensei will call to stand up.  Do so by lifting your right leg up to a kneeling position first, then stand directly upward.

Okinawan Standing Bow in and out

• Line up, in rank order, lower ranks to the left side of the Dojo (when viewing from the back of the class).

• Sensei(s) at front will turn to face the Shomen (front of the Dojo, sign or shrine).

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Shomen Ni Rei" - A standing bow towards the Shomen. Thanking the Forefathers of Karate for making this possible.

• Sensei(s) turn around and face the class.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Sensei Ni Rei" - Everyone bow towards the Sensei(s), the Sensei(s) bow back. Only the students say "Oss".

• * (Optional) Sempai(s) turn around and face the class.

• * (Optional) Senior Ka (Student) calls "Sempai Ni Rei" - Everyone bows towards the Sempai(s), the Sempai(s) bow back. Only the students say "Oss".

• * (Optional) Sempai(s) turn back around to face the Shomen.

• Senior Ka (Student) calls "Otagai Ni Rei" - Repeat of the same bow but this time everyone says "Oss".