Rei

礼

Traditional bow expressing respect, humility, and proper etiquette.

Quick Facts

CategoryEtiquette

Pronunciation/[ray]/

Alternative NamesBow, Salutation

Definition

Rei is the cornerstone of etiquette in Japanese martial arts. It encompasses both standing bows (Ritsurei) and kneeling bows (Zarei). Practitioners perform Rei when stepping into the dojo, before and after partnering, and toward instructors. As Karate founder Gichin Funakoshi famously stated: 'Karate begins and ends with respect (Rei)'.

Related Terms

Dojo道場

Traditional training hall for Japanese martial arts and meditation.

Oss / Osu押忍

Widespread term expressing respect, perseverance, and acknowledgment.

Sensei先生

Honorific title for a teacher or instructor in Japanese culture.

Associated Martial Arts

Shotokan Kosen Judo Yoshinkan Aikido Jundokan Goju-ryu Byakuren Kaikan Seidokaikan Karate Kyokushin Budokai Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu