Seiza — sitting neatly on the heels with a straight spine — is one of the most recognisable elements of Japanese etiquette and martial arts, giving both structure and stability. While seiza feels ancient, the posture actually has a long journey shaped by cultural exchange, samurai etiquette, and social reform.
This article explores how seiza evolved, how kneeling traditions came from continental Asia, and how the posture became a defining feature of martial arts practice.
Before Seiza: Early Japanese Sitting Postures
For much of Japanese history, people did not sit in modern seiza.
Common positions included:
- Agura (胡座) – cross-legged
- Tatehiza (立膝) – one knee raised, ready to move
- Kiza (跪座) – sitting on toes, alert and transitional
- Half-lotus in Buddhist settings
These were the natural postures of daily life in early Japan.
Chinese Influence: How Kneeling came to Japan
Before “seiza” existed as a concept, early Japanese court rituals were heavily influenced by Chinese dynastic etiquette.
1. Formal Kneeling in China (跪座 / 跪礼)
In ancient China, kneeling and bowing postures were used to show respect toward rulers, ancestors, and during Confucian ceremonial rites. These postures were not identical to modern Japanese seiza but involved:
- Kneeling on the floor
- Folding the legs back
- Sitting upright in formal settings
These practices travelled through diplomacy, continental migration, and cultural exchange.
2. Importation Into Early Japanese Court Culture
During the Asuka and Nara periods (6th–8th centuries), Japan adopted:
- Chinese writing
- Confucian governance
- Continental clothing
- Court rituals and ceremonial postures
Early Japanese nobles kneeled in ways inspired by Chinese ceremony, and although the posture was not yet standardised, the foundation of formal kneeling existed.
3. Fusion With Native Traditions
As time passed, continental kneeling blended with:
- Shinto ritual posture
- Samurai etiquette
- Tatami-based living environments
This merging slowly evolved into the more fixed form we now recognise as seiza.
Samurai Era: Practical Posture, Not Formalised Seiza
Through the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (12th–16th century), samurai society favoured mobility over formality. Warriors commonly sat in:
- Tatehiza for quick drawing of the sword
- Kiza for alert readiness
- Agura for long briefings
Seiza existed but was used mainly in religious or ritual contexts.
Tea Ceremony & Zen: Refining the Posture
In the late 1500s, tea ceremony masters and Zen-influenced practices began shaping a more controlled and refined way of sitting. The kneeling posture became:
- More symmetrical
- More formalised
- More associated with calm discipline
Still, it was not yet mandatory across society.
Edo Period: Seiza Becomes the Standard
During the peaceful Edo period (1603–1868), seiza became the official posture of etiquette for samurai and later the wider population.
Why seiza spread:
• Social Order and Control
Seiza restricts sudden movement, reducing the risk of violence in hierarchical settings.
• Etiquette Schools (Ogasawara-ryū, Ise-ryū)
Reiho lineages codified seiza as the “correct” posture for formal conduct.
• Tatami Culture
As tatami mats became widely used, seiza became far more comfortable and practical.
By the end of the Edo period, seiza was firmly established as Japan’s formal sitting posture.
Meiji Era: National Standardisation
During rapid modernisation, Japan also strengthened its “traditional” identity. Seiza became:
- Part of school education
- A symbol of refinement
- The formal posture in ceremonies
- Integrated into modern budō
Martial arts adopted seiza not for battlefield realism but for:
- Respect
- Discipline
- Uniformity
- Cultural continuity
Seiza Today: Tradition, Discipline, and Connection
In modern Japan, seiza appears in:
- Martial arts
- Shrine visits
- Tea ceremony
- Formal gatherings
Many people find long seiza uncomfortable, and its use in daily life has declined. Yet in budō — especially iaijutsu, aikidō, and kendō — seiza remains a vital piece of reiho (etiquette).
In our school, we maintain the traditional posture with knees two fist-widths apart, aligning the body for stability, balance, and readiness.
Closing Thoughts
Understanding the history of seiza reveals that it is not simply “how Japanese people always sat.” It is the product of cultural exchange with China, refinement through Zen and tea ceremony, and codification in samurai etiquette.
When we kneel in seiza at the beginning and end of practice, we are connecting with centuries of tradition — a blend of discipline, respect, and the cultural evolution of budō.
