From “Gōjū-Ryū Karate-Dō Desk Reference 剛柔流空手道 机参照: Volume 2: Dōjō Auxiliary, Glossary & Terminology 道場の補助、用語集 と 辞書”

Zarei 座礼 – Three types of Seated Bow

Zarei 座礼 is performed from Seiza 正座, the formal sitting posture. As with Ritsurei 立礼 (standing bow), there are three degrees of bowing from Zarei 座礼 (kneeling bow). The terminology for the three degree of seated bow are “Senrei 浅礼, Futsūrei 普通礼 and Saikeirei 最敬礼”:

• Saikeirei 最敬礼
  • Saikeirei 最敬礼 is a respectful, polite and deep seated bow.
  • Bend at the waist to bow down to approximately 90°angle
  • Placing your hands at the same time on the floor in front of you in the shape of a diamond (Urasenke 裏千家 style) with the fingers touching.
  • This is the Zarei 座礼 you use in all Budō 武道
  • Do not expose the back of your neck nor touch your forehead to the floor.
  • Raise your head from the bow after your seniors (Senpai 先輩, Sensei 先生 or Shihan 師範) have done so.
  • Place your palms back on your thighs above your knees.

• Futsūrei 普通礼
  • Futsūrei 普通礼 is not as common to Karate-Dō 空手道 or Budō 武道 as Shin 真.
  • Bend at the waist to bow down to approximately 45°angle.

• Senrei 浅礼
  • Senrei 浅礼 is the least formal seated bow uncommon to Karate-Dō 空手道 or Budō 武道.
  • Bend at the waist to bow all the way down to approximately 20°with hands closer together and closer to your knees lightly touching the tips of your fingers to the floor.
  • This is the bow seniors may use as an acknowledgement.

Zarei 座礼 for Budō 武道 purposes encompasses high expectations for Budōka 武道家.

Please remember not to expose the back of your neck as this is a bow called Dogeza 土下座 and specifically is for the deepest of sincere apologies in submission.