I haven't know that many Japanese who like sitting seiza very much either. It's an acquired comfort, really. I grew accustomed to it through Iaido, took me maybe a month, a week or two total.
It is the norm for a reason really. Sitting in this manner promotes flexibility, circulation, overall health, and lower back strength. You aren't used to sitting like that so that is why it sucks. You can get used to it if you want to, it just takes time for your flexibility in your knees and ankles.
It's always hilarious to hear people talk about seiza. Iunno. I've been sitting that way since I was three or four, no matter where I was, so i can do it for a good four or five hours before I feel the need to stretch. It doesn't really hurt me at all. Just... don't put your weight on your ankles, dude. THAT hurts. :] Good luck.
I've got quite a bit of footage of the Ginza/whatnot tour that guy gave us, and I should put some up--despite the fact most of it contains incomplete explanations, but hey, that could lead to some fun with context-mix-ups lol
I LOVE Seiza. I sat like that a lot when I was a kid and I didn't realize it was a Japanese thing. I sit like that casually whenever I'm with friends hanging out and stuff. Japanese people always ask "Is that comfortable for you?" "yah, why? "That is so strange" I gotta say I watched your early videos, came back today and saw your new look. Didn't recognize you at all man. Do you know a guy named Nash? He's in level 3 or 4 I think.. Tell him and Tanaka George said Hi.
Hehe, no worries, I actually met Nash pretty early on and told him that I had seen him in your vids a bunch. He was like, "Ya, that guy was takin' video everywhere!" haha Cool guy though.
Haha, I can't wait to meet up with Nash again one day. He was my best buddy in Japan. How was KCP for you anyway? I felt like a learned a ton in the short time.
It was without a doubt the best 3 months of my life! I also felt like a learned a ton there. I had taken a year in college before hand ya know, but could never speak, now I feel I could actually put "speaks Japanese" on certain resumes with some confidence. I'm also really lucky since at my university we have tons of Japanese students and because I'm volunteering in exchange student classrooms, I get to speak Japanese pretty much everyday of the week.
It was a great time for me because I made a few really good friends and I learned a ton. Now that I'm back home I'm still studying but it's slow going becuase I just don't have people to talk to.
I'm way too fat to sit seiza for more than about 10 minutes. :P
Off topic - i think I see an "I love Jinx" sticker behind you. What "jinx" are you refering to? (There is a comic I like called Jonx - which is why I ask)
I can only sit seiza for a very short period of time. But it's hell on my ankles. Had to do it once at a funeral for more than 30 minutes... and when it was my time to get up and gracefully move across the room... I stood up and promptly fell over! Yikes!
I find seiza position very uncomfortable too. Even in Australia I used to have to sit like that for Jujitsu at the beginning and end of class and I was always happy when we could stand up.
You are soooo cute!!
Mismeek 4 months ago
Is it true that people in Japan bend first the left knee for sitting and then for stepping up start for the right knee??
ravenwitch1 8 months ago
I haven't know that many Japanese who like sitting seiza very much either. It's an acquired comfort, really. I grew accustomed to it through Iaido, took me maybe a month, a week or two total.
Saavykaas 9 months ago
I lol'd 1:35 : ) I'm going to take up kendo at a local club within the week, so I hope seiza isn't all as bad as you guys make it out to be!
Takaiboshi 1 year ago
It is the norm for a reason really. Sitting in this manner promotes flexibility, circulation, overall health, and lower back strength. You aren't used to sitting like that so that is why it sucks. You can get used to it if you want to, it just takes time for your flexibility in your knees and ankles.
ThirdEyeLight 1 year ago
I'm an Aikidoka and still... Seiza is simply brutal...
FinalKenny2 2 years ago
Oh. Yeah. I do have bowed legs. :] Uhm. I'm not japanese at all though. YAY CAMBODIA!
CherixXxGillian 2 years ago
It's always hilarious to hear people talk about seiza. Iunno. I've been sitting that way since I was three or four, no matter where I was, so i can do it for a good four or five hours before I feel the need to stretch. It doesn't really hurt me at all. Just... don't put your weight on your ankles, dude. THAT hurts. :] Good luck.
CherixXxGillian 2 years ago
loooooooooooooool u're so funny
i loved watching u're reactions
infamouslulu 3 years ago
wow this guy is super good looking
mannyack4tori 3 years ago
haha i know exactly what old guy your talking about...LOL did he mention tanaka being the #1 samurai in Japan???
lol thats gotta be Utami recording at the end
-Ace
IntlAce 3 years ago
Haha, you are correct on all counts!
I've got quite a bit of footage of the Ginza/whatnot tour that guy gave us, and I should put some up--despite the fact most of it contains incomplete explanations, but hey, that could lead to some fun with context-mix-ups lol
IOeigo 3 years ago
I LOVE Seiza. I sat like that a lot when I was a kid and I didn't realize it was a Japanese thing. I sit like that casually whenever I'm with friends hanging out and stuff. Japanese people always ask "Is that comfortable for you?" "yah, why? "That is so strange" I gotta say I watched your early videos, came back today and saw your new look. Didn't recognize you at all man. Do you know a guy named Nash? He's in level 3 or 4 I think.. Tell him and Tanaka George said Hi.
RaGe0rge 3 years ago
Just read your channel and realized your done at KCP ^_^ Sorry
RaGe0rge 3 years ago
Hehe, no worries, I actually met Nash pretty early on and told him that I had seen him in your vids a bunch. He was like, "Ya, that guy was takin' video everywhere!" haha Cool guy though.
IOeigo 3 years ago
Haha, I can't wait to meet up with Nash again one day. He was my best buddy in Japan. How was KCP for you anyway? I felt like a learned a ton in the short time.
RaGe0rge 3 years ago
It was without a doubt the best 3 months of my life! I also felt like a learned a ton there. I had taken a year in college before hand ya know, but could never speak, now I feel I could actually put "speaks Japanese" on certain resumes with some confidence. I'm also really lucky since at my university we have tons of Japanese students and because I'm volunteering in exchange student classrooms, I get to speak Japanese pretty much everyday of the week.
Good times! How about you?
IOeigo 3 years ago
It was a great time for me because I made a few really good friends and I learned a ton. Now that I'm back home I'm still studying but it's slow going becuase I just don't have people to talk to.
RaGe0rge 3 years ago
I'm way too fat to sit seiza for more than about 10 minutes. :P
Off topic - i think I see an "I love Jinx" sticker behind you. What "jinx" are you refering to? (There is a comic I like called Jonx - which is why I ask)
myargonauts 3 years ago
I can only sit seiza for a very short period of time. But it's hell on my ankles. Had to do it once at a funeral for more than 30 minutes... and when it was my time to get up and gracefully move across the room... I stood up and promptly fell over! Yikes!
kansaiPJ 3 years ago 2
I find seiza position very uncomfortable too. Even in Australia I used to have to sit like that for Jujitsu at the beginning and end of class and I was always happy when we could stand up.
Nozokimidayo 3 years ago