三つ指

• Reading: みつゆび
• Romaji: mitsuyubi
• Kanji breakdown: 三つ (mitsu) — three; 指 (yubi) — finger
• Pronunciation: /mi.t͡sɯ.jɯ.bi/

Meaning

The formal bow performed by pressing three fingers of both hands to the floor; a deeply respectful gesture of greeting or apology.

A noun describing the formal Japanese gesture of placing the index, middle, and ring fingers of both hands flat on the floor while bowing from a kneeling position. Used in very formal traditional contexts — tea ceremony, traditional performing arts — or in period dramas as a sign of the highest respect or sincere apology. Rarely seen in modern daily life.

Examples

1. 三つ指をついて主人を出迎える場面が、時代劇では頻繁に登場する。 Scenes of welcoming the master of the house with a three-fingered bow appear frequently in period dramas.
2. 茶道の師匠は弟子たちに三つ指の正しい作法を丁寧に教えた。 The tea ceremony master carefully taught the disciples the correct form of the three-fingered bow.
3. 深く三つ指をつき、長年の非礼を詫びた。 Pressing both hands deeply to the floor, I offered my sincere apology for years of discourtesy.

Usage Guide

Context: traditional culture, period drama, formal apology, tea ceremony

Tone: very formal

Origin & History

From 三つ (mitsu, three) and 指 (yubi, finger). The gesture specifies which three fingers touch the floor, reflecting a codified formality developed within traditional etiquette systems.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Traditional

Generation: Traditional practitioners

Social background: Formal/Traditional