Japan's reaction to Obama bowing before the Emperor

[AsahinaKimi]

During Barack Obama’s first presidential visit to Japan, he managed to work in a private lunch with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The lunch, which lasted about an hour, was reported to have just been the three of them plus one interpreter. While the topics of their lunchtime conversation remain a mystery, the Japanese media delightedly reported on the event, stating how Obama made a polite short English greeting before entering the palace.

http://www.examiner.com/x-16352-Japan-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m11d15-Japans-reaction-to-Obama-bowing-before-the-Emperor?cid=examiner-email

Japanese reaction:
# “What a bow!”
# “Such a deep bow from Obama, what a fine guy.”
# “I’m surprised he bowed. He’s really trying hard to meet the Japanese way!”
# “President Obama is a top-class person, isn’t he? Amazing!”
# “The Emperor is giving a nice smile!”
# “Is the Japanese Emperor really that special?”
# “The Emperor or the Pope, the President or the Prime Minister, whoever is greater is not something that I think can be decided objectively.”
# “I laughed because it was a much better bow than I had imagined.”
# “Obama’s huge!”
# “Obama has more of a true Japanese heart than most Japanese do.”

[ZombieHorde]

1. Thanks for posting. nt

[peacefreak]

2. Thanks for the perspective.

Maybe you should re-post in GDP!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. you should post this in GD

it will make the greatest page.

[lillypaddle]

4. Agree!

[AsahinaKimi]

5. I have and have posted about "Dogeza" as well

Dogeza (土下座, literally to "sit down on the ground") is to sit directly on the ground and to prostrate oneself, bowing while sitting. An element of Japanese manners, it is used to show deference to the most highly-revered high-class person, as a deep apology, and to express the desire for a favor from said person.


This is still used in Japan, today for deep apologies, favors and for praying for the dead. Dogeza was used in the old days by people who would bow to Samurai, the daimyo, the Shogun, and the Emperor.

[david13]

8. I know of a store here, I believe jewelry, and it I think is owned by

2 japanese men, and at night when they close the shop, they lock up together, then bow deeply to each other and say words of parting, I guess, before leaving for the night.
Just a show of mutual respect, and honor.
dc

[Odin2005]

6. Obama's HUGH, I'm SERIES!!!

[gmoney]

7. Looks to be a good 18 inches taller than the emperor

I'm guessing he bowed so far so that he'd be sure his head was lower than the emperor's, which I haphazardly speculate is some sort of standard for a proper bow.