Two bows, two claps, one bow

alt=|thumb|502x502px|A schoolgirl worshipping at a shrine
"Two bows, two claps, one bow" (二礼二拍手一礼) is a ritual people do when they enter Shinto shrines. As the name suggests it involves bowing twice, clapping twice, and then bowing once more.

To show respect for the gods, it is important to follow proper etiquette, with "two bows, two claps, one bow" being the most commonly used method. This ritual has evolved over time and is a reflection of the respect and reverence for the deities.."

While there have been various historical systems, this is currently the one that is most widely used.

This method is widely considered as the standard when visiting shrines However, there may be some local variations depending on the specific shrine. For example, at shrines such as Usa Jingū and Izumo-taisha, visitors should clap four times rather than the usual twice. "Usa Jingu - About Worship" retrieved May 31 2024.  "Izumo-Taisha - Frequently Asked Questions" retrieved May 31 2024.

The practice of "two bows, two claps, one bow" is also sometimes referred to as "2-2-1".

 Procedure 
The procedure goes as followshttps://archive.today/20230408002726/https://www.yakult.co.jp/english/inbound/manners/05.html

 Bow once before entering Torii
 Do not walk through the center of a Torii as that is reserved for deities
 Purify hands and mouth with chozuya
 Put money in the offering box
 Ring the bell 2-3 times if present
 Bow twice 
 Clap twice 
 Bow once This bow should be deeper than the others at a 90-degree angle
 When exiting the shrine, turn around and again bow once at the Torii. "Etiquette For Worship" retrieved May 31 2024. 

 History 
The practice of "two bows, two claps, one bow" can be traced back to the "Shrine Festival" in 1873, where it was referred to as  Over time, different methods were developed and refined, resulting in the current etiquette. In the 40th year of the Meiji era, the "Shrine Rituals and Events Etiquette" was established, which defined the etiquette as "returning, clapping twice, pressing together, praying, praying, clapping twice, and bowing again."

It is widely acknowledged that "two bows, two claps, one bow" is the formal etiquette of worship for the chief priest. This etiquette was developed through the extensive experience and improvements made by the predecessors and is a testament to the reverence and respect for the gods.

 Related pages 
 State Shinto
 Shinto
 Hakushu (Shinto)
 Institute of Divinities

 References 

Category:Pages with unreviewed translations
Category:Shinto
Category:Ceremonies