What Does Kneeling Down In Japanese Culture Signify ? |
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Kneeling while sitting down is known as sietza in Japanese. In this way of kneeling, one's feet come directly under the thighs. In Japan, people may kneel for various reasons as it could be a part of their cultural practice or a festival or just for eating or in preparation of a fight like judo.
Some martial arts that have originated in Japan require that people sit in this position as a preparation. Stepping into a sietza generally means preparation of something. Also, in what position the hands are kept would carry a different meaning while kneeling down. Japanese traditional dining tables are low and people sit on the ground or on cushions while eating. They never sit completely and often kneel while eating. This is a popular Japanese family tradition.
In Japanese architecture the flooring is designed in various forms and these are called the tatami floors. The art of Seitza is actually deeply connected to the tatami. In ancient Japan learning martial arts was a way of life. So, most of the martial arts require that the flooring be made of hard wood or a non slippery way. For this, the tatmi floors were found ideal. The entire house would have tatami flooring. So the Japanese adapted their eating and sleeping habits to this kind of flooring and that is why they came up with the sietza kind of seating. The Japanese also sit in this position while having important talks with others, be it in business, or a general meeting, or a cordial meeting.
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