The island nation of Japan is a country that is infamous for her rich heritage and strong traditions and customs. It’s a nation immersed in history and culture, and to this day, their traditions play a tremendous role in shaping the culture of Japan. One of the most fundamental concepts that will be ever-present in Japanese culture is the art of bowing. The bow is the Japanese equivalent of the handshake, but most underestimate the underlying complexities that one must understand to bow effectively, and convey the right message. Today, Japan is one of the developed countries in the world, and is a nation that is at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation. Business trips to Japan are far from uncommon, and Japan has an infrastructure that caters to such events, with the presence of corporate accommodation such as the Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo, a popular service apartment in Tokyo.
Although a bow is generally considered as a show of respect, it is also commonly used as a simple method of greeting. This bow is different to a bow of respect. When greeting or wishing farewell to a person, one must give a slight nod with the head and shoulders at an angle of roughly ten degrees. This is the bow used in most cases of greetings and goodbyes unless in an extremely formal circumstance.
When meeting someone for the first time, a full bow at an angle of thirty degrees is the expected treatment. When performing the introductory bow, ensure that your head and shoulders remain straight and your hands at your side. If you are meeting a person of particular importance, the bow must be performed at an angle of forty five degrees. The golden rule of bowing is to never shake hands at any time during the bow.
Congratulations, you have now learnt all that you need to efficiently bow your way through the state of Japan, so do not be perturbed when planning your next trip to the Far East.
Varunajith Dayaratne is a creative nomadic travel writer, writing under the pen name, Sirius Black. He is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests pertaining to the needs of any type of traveler.
