How to Sit in Seiza in Kendo

Many people sit in seiza incorrectly, even though seiza is an important part of kendo and Japanese culture. This page explains how to sit in seiza properly.

Summary

• Taito first
• Left foot first
• Quietly put your shinai down
• Place your shinai so the tsuba is next to your right knee

When you sit in seiza, kneel down on your left foot. When you stand up, begin with your right leg.

If you think about how you draw your sword, it is easy to understand. When you draw your sword, your right foot moves forwards. I will make another video to explain this in more detail, but that is the reason.

Keep your head up. Do not look down when you sit down. Keep your body balanced, and do not let it lean as you move down and up.

Put down your shinai without making any noise. In other words, treat it with respect. The reason it makes a noise is that you put your hands down before your knees.

To see the sequence of sitting in seiza, practising mokuso, and standing up, please see this lesson.

Having Trouble?

Having Troubles There?

Seiza Tips and Topics To Be Able to Sit in Seiza Try to Stretch Your Ankles Alternative Way to Sit Seiza and Mokuso Manners Where Your Feet Should Be? What? Two Types of Seiza?

Kendo Guide for Beginners—Available on Amazon

Kendo Guide for Beginners

A Kendo instruction book written by a Japanese author for non-Japanese speakers who are enthusiastic about learning kendo.

All the basic instructions on this site are in this book, along with

• New and Better Photos (taken for this book!) and
• Newly Edited Contents
• Corresponding Videos

Kindle version is available too. Click here to learn more about the book.