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Why Do Japanese People Bow? The Meaning and Rules of Ojigi

Why Do Japanese People Bow? The Meaning and Rules of Ojigi

From Buddhist ritual to boardroom: the history and unwritten rules behind the bow

By J-Times Editorial·Jun 24, 2026·1 min

J-Times Editorial

Culture Desk

June 24, 2026Updated: Oct 7, 20261 min1,084 views
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In Japan, how deeply you bow shows how much thanks, respect, or apology you mean. Here are the three everyday bows, where the custom came from, and what visitors actually need to know.

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In Japan, how deeply you bow shows how much thanks, respect, or apology you mean. A light nod is about 15 degrees, an everyday greeting about 30, and a deep thank-you or apology about 45. If you are visiting, a small, sincere bow is all anyone expects.

What should I remember?

  • A bow (お辞儀, ojigi) is more than "hello." It also carries thanks, apology, and requests, and the depth shows how strongly you mean it.
  • There are three everyday bows: eshaku (about 15°), keirei (about 30°), and saikeirei (about 45°).
  • You don't need to be perfect. Respect matters far more than the exact angle.

Where does bowing come from?

Lowering your head and eyes leaves you open and unguarded, so it signals "I mean you no harm." Many cultures share this gesture. What makes Japan different is how carefully it was shaped into everyday manners.

Two influences did most of the shaping:

  1. Buddhism (6th century). Japanese records say Buddhism arrived when the king of Baekje, on the Korean Peninsula, sent a Buddhist statue to Emperor Kinmei, in 552 or possibly 538 (Kyoto National Museum, in Japanese). Bowing to the Buddha and to teachers came with it.
  2. Samurai etiquette. Warrior society set out exact "forms" for sitting, standing, and bowing. The best-known school is Ogasawara-ryū (小笠原流, a school of samurai etiquette), which, according to its head family's official site, was established about 700 years ago and is still taught today.

When did the standing bow become the norm?

An old hand-colored photo of two women in kimono bowing to each other at a gate
An old hand-colored photo of two women in kimono bowing to each other at a gate

Two women exchanging bows in Japan, around 1880 (hand-colored photo, photographer unknown). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

WhenWhat happened
6th centuryBuddhism arrives, bringing the custom of bowing to the Buddha and to teachers
682Emperor Tenmu orders the court to stop kneeling and crawling bows and use the standing bow instead (Nihon Shoki, vol. 29)
Samurai eraEtiquette schools such as Ogasawara-ryū turn bowing into fixed forms
Meiji era onwardHandshakes arrive from the West, but the bow stays the basic greeting
TodaySchools, company training, and even city guides for new residents teach how to bow

A bow made while kneeling on tatami is called zarei (座礼, seated bow); a standing bow is ritsurei (立礼). For what to do when you step onto tatami, see Why Do Japanese Take Their Shoes Off?

How low should I actually bow?

Diagram showing eshaku at about 15 degrees, keirei at about 30 degrees, and saikeirei at about 45 degrees
Diagram showing eshaku at about 15 degrees, keirei at about 30 degrees, and saikeirei at about 45 degrees

Diagram by J-Times. Angles follow the guide published by Edogawa City, Tokyo (in Japanese).

BowAboutWhen to use it
Eshaku (会釈)15°Passing someone, a light thank-you
Keirei (敬礼)30°Greetings and meetings; the one used most
Saikeirei (最敬礼)45°Deep thanks or a sincere apology

Edogawa City in Tokyo lists these same three bows in its life guide for residents from overseas.

A few tips:

  • Keep your back straight and bend from the waist. Bending only your neck looks careless.
  • In formal settings, don't talk while bowing. Say your words, then bow (or bow, then speak).
  • When ranks differ, the junior person usually bows a little lower and a little longer.
  • Some people bow during phone calls. Nobody sees it; it is simply habit.

Two people bowing deeply on stage at an elementary school closing ceremony
Two people bowing deeply on stage at an elementary school closing ceremony

A school closing ceremony in Kanoya, Kagoshima (March 2026). Deep bows are still a normal part of formal ceremonies. Photo: Sanjo (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

Bowing is also part of praying at a shrine. For the "two bows, two claps, one bow" steps, see How to Visit a Japanese Shrine.

What do visitors often get wrong?

  • "Foreigners must bow perfectly." Not at all. A small, sincere nod is welcome.
  • "It's just a greeting, like a wave." A bow can also mean sorry, thank you, please, or congratulations. The situation tells you which. For the word that often goes with it, see Why Japanese People Say "Sumimasen".
  • "Bowing is disappearing." Handshakes are common in business now, but bowing has not gone away. People often do both.
  • "Deeper is always better." A very deep bow in a casual moment can look odd. Match the moment.

FAQ

Q. Should I bow or shake hands? A. Follow the other person. In business, a light bow together with a handshake is common. When unsure, a small nod is always fine.

Q. How low should I bow? A. As a visitor, about 15–30° covers almost every situation. Keep the deep 45° bow for sincere thanks or apologies.

Q. Do Japanese people bow when they apologize? A. Yes. An apology bow is deeper and longer than usual, and it can matter as much as the words.

What to read next

Sources

#bowing#etiquette#Inbound#manners

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J-Times Editorial

Culture Desk