The Bow
In a dojo, there was a boy who was stronger than all the others. But he never bowed neither to his master nor to his fellow students. At the exam, he was the best. Yet the master refused to give him his certificate and turned his back on him. The boy shouted angrily: “Why?! I am the strongest!” The master replied: “I will not teach the martial art to someone who knows no respect. A fist without honor is a danger to others and to oneself. ”Ashamed, the boy bowed deeply and whispered: “I’m sorry, Master. ”The master smiled and said: “Now you are ready to learn.”
Why the bow is so important in martial arts
In martial arts, every lesson begins and ends with a bow. This is not mere politeness it is an exercise in respect. You bow to the master, to your fellow students, to the tradition, and also to the strength and abilitiesyou are developing within yourself. Those who grow stronger through training can become a danger to others and to themselves if they abuse their power. That is why we first learn respect, discipline, and humility in martial arts. The bow reminds us of this every day. An honest bow shows dignity.An aggressive bow or no bow at all shows you are not yet ready to walk this path. Martial arts without respect is not an art at all, but mere violence.
As the old masters say: “The bow opens the way to the mat and to yourself.”
Food for thought
Respect is the first and last technique you must learn in the dojo and the most important one in life.How often do you forget to show respect for what supports you and helps you learn?
„Those who cannot open their fist for a bow are not worthy of clenching it for a fight."
Karate begins and ends with a bow.