SBN Doug Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 I was taught that showing the top of the head is considered disrespectful in Korean culture which is why we look at the person we are bowing to. If so, then we're breaking tradition. KSW is a Korean art. Kuk Sool Won - 4th danEvil triumphs when good men do nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBN Doug Posted August 28, 2003 Share Posted August 28, 2003 when you are sparring there is the challenging bow where you look your person straight in the eyes, otherwise you are not suppsed to look at the person, unless you are challenging them. a lot of people bow wrong, not from my school, but people at tournaments. You can only say they're bowing poorly if they're from your same art. Different arts have different ideas of what is proper. Kuk Sool Won - 4th danEvil triumphs when good men do nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tufrthanu Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Well, I don't know how appropos this is to this particular discussion but I will say it anyway. In Japanese custom at least, and this may or may not be true for Korean customs, a bow of respect is always given with your eyes averted and your head down. However, when preparing to fight the bow is altered to be able to watch your opponent. Looking at a person while bowing in polite company would be an insult and possibly a threat. As to being able to see their feet move, kicking you in the head while bent over doesn't require you to move your feet simply to kick quickly. Long Live the Fighters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjanurse Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 I was taught that showing the top of the head is considered disrespectful in Korean culture which is why we look at the person we are bowing to. It is considered disrespectful in Korea to look someone in the eye as it implies distrust. Therefore when showing respect in the dojang one should bow with eyes averted. Likewise, one should bow with respect at a tournament. Most korean style dojangs in the US adhere to this however some have adopted other philosophies. Our schools sends students to Korea frequently to train and ettiquette is strongly emphasized. "A Black Belt is only the beginning."Heidi-A student of the artsTae Kwon Do,Shotokan,Ju Jitsu,Modern Arnishttp://the100info.tumblr.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBN Doug Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 Duhhhh! Until you said that, I completely forgot being told that, long ago. Thank you for reminding me. Kuk Sool Won - 4th danEvil triumphs when good men do nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSWDanMan Posted August 29, 2003 Share Posted August 29, 2003 in Kuk Sool we are taught to not look at the person you are training with as a sign of respect. I think at the tournaments(which I havent participated in yet) you should look at your opponent. I'll let ya'll know in October when the tournament gets here.[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemeanie Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 $.02 from a rank amateur. As instructed by my Kwahn Jahm Nim. Look at an opponent from another school, at the floor when bowing to anyone from the same school. That's IIRC. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” -- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungGrasshopper Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 To the Japanese, looking up or facing ANYBODY as you bow shows complete disrespect toward that person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imoñ Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 ive been taught simply to never take your eyes off your opponent when you bow. i can see why practically, as its best to see what their doing. Shotokan Karate - brown belt 2nd kyuJudo - Yellow beltJujustu - recently started, white belt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikS Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 I have notice a trend of people not looking at there oponent when bowing. Bowing is a form of respect for your opponent, but should also be done with caution. Has anyone else noticed this? I was actually told by my instructor that it was rather disrespectful to look at your opponent (in the dojo) while bowing. He said it showed that you didn't trust them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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