Formal kneeling posture

Jeongjwa (정좌) is, according to the Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회), sitting kneeling with a correct posture and in a courteous manner. It belongs to kumdo etiquette (예법) and is the position from which the seated bow, jwarye (좌례), is made.

How it is done, according to the Korea Kumdo Association:

• From standing, without touching the floor with the hands, the left foot is drawn back half a step and the left knee goes down first.
• The upper body is natural and upright, with both knees side by side and resting on the floor.
• The big toes are overlapped or placed side by side, and the hips are lowered onto the heels.
• The back is straight and the hands rest on the thighs with the fingers together.
• The knees are set slightly apart, about one or two fists.
• The back stays stretched, the chin is lightly tucked, the mouth is closed and the eyes look ahead.

Order of the feet: one sits with the left foot first and rises with the right foot first, a rule known as jwajwa ugi (좌좌우기). The hands are not placed on the floor either when sitting or when standing.

Jwarye (좌례): this is the bow made from jeongjwa. One watches the partner, leans the upper body forward and places both hands on the floor at the same time, forming a triangle. The head is lowered quietly and held for about one breath. One then returns slowly to the starting position while watching the partner.

Japanese sources explain the left-foot-first rule by saying that warriors of the past wore the sword at the left hip, so this order kept them ready to draw at any moment.