Reiho

Reihō 礼法 is a Japanese term that refers to the formal etiquette, behavioral patterns, and mental attitudes observed in both ceremonial and everyday contexts.
It encompasses a wide range of meanings, including etiquette, manners, courtesy, decorum, propriety, and the rules of formal conduct.

This time, we will introduce the seated bow (zarei 座礼) used in Tenshin-ryu.
Tenshin-ryu preserves a saying attributed to Yagyū Munenori 柳生宗矩:
“There lies the essential secret of Heihō in the nine forms of Kurei 九礼”.
Kurei ni Gokui ari 九礼に極意あり

Etiquette serves to prevent conflict before it begins and to bring about reconciliation with one’s opponent.
This represents the essence of Munenori’s katsujinken 活人剣 (life-giving sword).
It does not reflect the Sho naru Heihō 小なる兵法 — the “small strategy” meant for individual combat and personal gain —
but rather expresses the mindset behind the Taishō no Heihō 大将の兵法 — “general’s strategy“, a path of Hyoho dedicated to the well-being of the people.

This is also written in kanji as Heiho 平法, which carries the meaning:
“a way of strategy aimed at bringing about peace.”

Kurei 九礼 (Nine Forms of Reihō) corresponds to the Kuhonrei 九品礼(Nine-Rank Reihō) as taught in the Ogasawara-ryu school.
These include:
Mokurei 目礼 (greeting with the eyes) / Meotoshi 目落 (lowering the gaze),
Shurei 首礼 (bowing with the neck),
Shikenrei 指建礼 (bowing with pointed fingers),
Sōkōrei 爪甲礼 (bowing with the backs of fist),
Sesshurei or Oriterei 折手礼 (folded-hand bow),
Takushurei 拓手礼 (Press with your hand bow),
Sōshurei 雙手礼/双手礼 (bowing with both hands),
Gasshurei 合手礼 (palms-together bow),
and Gasshōrei 合掌礼 (hands in prayer position).

In this introduction, we will cover seven of these, excluding Sōkōrei and Gasshōrei.

In Tenshin-ryu, Sōkōrei is not generally used when seated in Ōugiza 扇坐.
Clenching the fists is considered to conceal one’s intentions and is therefore inappropriate indoors. Instead, Sōkōrei is performed only in Koza 胡坐 (cross-legged sitting).
This follows an etiquette tradition older than the Edo period.

Outdoors (or in a training setting), Sōkōrei is used during Orishiki 折敷 (formal kneeling) or Sonkyo 蹲踞 (crouching posture).

This time, we will give a general introduction to the Reho forms commonly used in training. For more detailed information, please refer to future videos, written materials, and the upcoming revised edition of the Tenshin-ryu Hyoho Beginner’s Manual.

Mokurei 目礼/ Meotoshi 目落

草の礼 Sō-no-Rei
The rank Reihō is Sō-no-Rei, a light and simplified form of formal bowing.

It is a simplified bow in which the upper body bends slightly forward from the waist, with a subtle lowering of the head. Because the gaze is intentionally averted or lowered away from the opponent, it is called Mokurei 目礼 (Literally translated, it means “eyes and bow.” greeting with the eyes) or Meotoshi 目落 (Literally translated, it means “lowering the eyes.” down eyes , lowering the gaze).

Be careful not to bend your neck or your back.

The Sō-no-Rei 草の礼 is performed in a single breath from the beginning of the bow to the return to upright posture,or alternatively, the head is lowered and held still for nihaku 二拍 (approximately two seconds).

Shurei 首礼

草の礼 Sō-no-Rei
The rank Reihô is Sō-no-Rei, a light and simplified form of formal bowing.

This is a simplified bow in which the upper body bends slightly forward from the waist, with a modest lowering of the head. It is slightly deeper than mokurei 目礼. Because the head is inclined forward to roughly the same degree as when the neck is bent, it is called shurei 首礼 (Literally translated, it means “neck bow”).

Do not bend your back, and avoid the common mistake of taking　the name too literally—do not bend only your neck.

The Sō-no-Rei 草の礼 is performed in a single breath from the　beginning of the bow to the return to upright posture,or　alternatively, the head is lowered and held still for nihaku 二拍　(approximately two seconds).

Shikenrei 指建礼

Version with the hands placed in front of the knees
　
行の礼 Gyō-no-Rei
The rank Reihô is Gyō-no-Rei,a mid-level form of Reihō.

This is a simplified bow in which both palms are placed upright in front of the knees. Although abbreviated, it involves the use of the hands, making it a mid-level form of Reihō. Because the fingers are placed upright in front of the knees, it is called Shikenrei (literally, “bow with raised fingers”). It is a deeper bow than Shurei (neck bow). From atop the thighs, both palms slide forward to the area in front of the knees.

Be careful not to bend your elbows excessively or lean your upper body too far forward.

The hands should be in the hirade 開手 (It is also referred to as Hirate) form—that is, with all five fingers together. The thumb should be slightly bent inward to hide the nail, and only the tips of the middle fingers should touch the floor. Be careful not to let the thumbs splay outward.

The Gyō-no-Rei (行の礼) is performed over two breaths, from the beginning of the bow to the return to an upright posture, or alternatively, the head is lowered and held still for sanpaku (三拍, approximately three seconds).

Shikenrei 指建礼 is used when the sword is placed to either the right (In 陰) or left (Yo 陽) side. If you place your hands beside your knees, the other person may mistakenly think that you are about to reach for your sword.

Shikenrei 指建礼

Version with the hands placed beside the knees.
行の礼 Gyō-no-Rei
The rank Reihô is Gyō-no-Rei, a mid-level form of Reihō.

This is a simplified bow in which both palms are placed upright beside the knees. Originally, this Shikenrei with the hands beside the knees is considered the formal version. The depth of the forward inclination of the upper body is the same as in the version with the hands in front of the knees. From atop the thighs, both palms slide outward to the sides of the knees.

Be careful not to bend your elbows excessively or lean your upper body too far forward.

This method is used when the sword is not placed to either the right (In 陰) or left (Yo 陽) side.

Takusyurei 折手礼

行の礼 Gyō-no-Rei
The rank Reihô is Gyō-no-Rei, a mid-level form of Reihō.

Because the wrists are bent at nearly a right angle, this bow is called Oriterei 折手礼 (also known as Sesshurei), which literally means “bow with folded hands.” It involves a deeper forward inclination of the upper body than Shikenrei 指建礼.

From the groin area, both palms are moved directly to the sides.

Then, both hands slide forward.

Be careful not to bend your elbows excessively or lean your upper body too far forward.

The hands are in the hirade 開手 (hirade) form, with the fingers pointing forward beside the knees and the entire palms placed flat on the floor.

Oriterei is used only when the sword is not placed to either the right (In 陰) or left (Yo 陽) side. If this bow is performed while the sword is positioned beside you, there is a risk that the opponent may mistakenly think you are reaching for your weapon.

Takushurei 拓手礼

行の礼 Gyō-no-Rei
The rank Reihô is Gyō-no-Rei, a mid-level form of Reihō.

Both hands are placed in front of the knees. The term Takushurei 拓手礼 comes from the word taku 拓, which refers to the act of taking an impression — as in takuhon 拓本 (stone rubbing) and gyotaku 魚拓 (fish print), where ink is applied to a surface and paper is pressed and rubbed to capture its form. Shu 手 means “hand.” The posture of placing one’s body weight on both hands evokes the image of the weight-bearing stance used when taking a taku, which is the origin of the name.

From the groin area, both palms are moved directly to the sides.

Then, both hands slide forward.

The hands are placed flat on the floor in a ha-no-ji ハの字 (inverted v shape) arrangement, with the thumbs naturally spread apart and the other four fingers kept together.

Be careful not to bend your elbows excessively or lean your upper body too far forward.

In Takushurei, the hands are lowered to the floor from beside the thighs only when the sword is not placed to either the right (In 陰) or left (Yo 陽) side..

When returning the hands, slide them back from the thighs toward the groin area.

Takushurei 拓手礼

When the sword is placed on either the left or right side.
行の礼 Gyō-no-Rei
The rank Reihô is Gyō-no-Rei, a mid-level form of Reihō.

When the sword is placed to either the right (In 陰) or left (Yo 陽) side, extend both hands directly forward from the thighs to the area in front of the knees, so as not to give the opponent the impression that you are reaching for your weapon.

The posture and the way of returning the hands are the same as in the standard Takushurei.

Sōsyurei 雙手礼

真の礼 Shin-no-Rei
The rank Reihō is Shin-no-Rei, the highest level of formal Reihō

Because the bow is performed with both hands placed firmly on the floor, it is called Sōshurei (雙手礼 or 双手礼), meaning “bow with both hands.” Compared to Takushurei, the hands are extended farther forward, and the body is lowered so that the back becomes nearly parallel to the floor.

When the sword is placed to either the right (In 陰) or left (Yo 陽) side, extend the hand on the side where the sword is placed first. When returning the hands, begin with the side opposite the sword.

This makes it more difficult to draw the sword, and by refraining from “Koiguchi wo kiru 鯉口を切る” (pressing the Tsuba with the thumb to prepare for drawing), it demonstrates your intention not to use the sword.

Form both hands in a a ha-no-ji ハの字 (inverted v shape) arrangement, leaving a gap of approximately 3 to 4 centimeters between them.

In the case of placing the sword behind you or when not carrying a longsword, the hands are extended starting with the left hand and returned starting with the right hand. This demonstrates the intention not to “Koiguchi wo kiru 鯉口を切る” (pressing the guard with the thumb to prepare for drawing) of the short sword (wakizashi 脇指).

Keep the elbows slightly lifted. Let the thumbs open naturally, with the other four fingers held together, and place the entire palms flat on the floor. After lowering your face, observe your opponent’s movements and presence using an upward gaze.

The Gyō-no-Rei (行の礼) is performed over three breaths, from the beginning of the bow to the return to an upright posture, or alternatively, the head is lowered and held still for sanpaku (三拍, approximately five seconds).

Placing and returning both hands at the same time is considered kurushikarazu 苦しからず (acceptable or without issue). When under tension or uncertain about which side to move first, it is best to perform the motion with both hands simultaneously.

Gasshurei 合手礼

真の礼 Shin-no-Rei
The rank Reihō is Shin-no-Rei, the highest level of formal Reihō

Gasshurei 合手礼 literally means “the bow of attaching the hands (to something).” The name comes from the act of placing the hands—specifically from the palms to the elbows—flat against the floor. Compared to Sōshurei, the hands are extended farther forward, and the head is lowered even more deeply.

The order for extending and retracting the hands is the same as in Sōshurei.

Place the forearms from the palms to the elbows on the floor. Let the thumbs open naturally, and keep the other four fingers together, with the entire palms touching the floor. After lowering your face, observe your opponent’s movements and presence using an upward gaze.

Form both hands in a a ha-no-ji ハの字 (inverted v shape) arrangement, leaving a gap of approximately 3 to 4 centimeters between them.

Conclusion

There are many other forms of Reihō, but here we have introduced the seven essential types of seated bows (Zarei 座礼) that should be learned first.
These various forms of bowing are used selectively based on the hierarchical relationship with the other person and the specific situation.
Each must be practiced and mastered correctly, so that they can be used appropriately according to the situation.

In most traditional martial arts, reihō 礼法 is treated as a supplementary element to training. Its primary function is often limited to maintaining group discipline, and only very basic forms are usually practiced. Formal etiquette as a samurai was typically learned separately—either as customs passed down within each household, or through formal schools of etiquette such as the Ogasawara-ryu 小笠原流, Ise-ryu 伊勢流, or Imagawa-ryu 今川流, etc. These were distinct from martial art styles.
However, in Tenshin-ryu, there are actual combat techniques that are performed during the act of bowing, treating reihō as part of realistic situational training. Moreover, as members of the Shirindan 士林団 Kōgan 光願 —a Samurai group for whom ceremonial conduct was an essential part of their duty—practitioners did not separate martial arts (bugei 武藝) from reihō. As a result, Tenshin-ryu preserves a far more detailed and rigorous system of reiho compared to most other styles.

Proper reihō is a refined and dignified expression of respect toward others that remains deeply relevant even in the modern age. It is a beautiful form of movement that allows one to show courtesy while simultaneously embodying the pride and bearing of a warrior. It forms the foundation of interpersonal manners. The act of bowing is by no means a source of shame for a samurai—in fact, performing correct reihō can be regarded as a mark of one’s noble status. Do not treat it as mere formality. Instead, recognize the value of this traditional practice, which carries the legacy of over four hundred years—if not more—and devote yourself earnestly to its mastery.