Tejime


Tejime, also called teuchi, is a Japanese custom of ceremonial rhythmic hand clapping, typically accompanied by enthusiastic exclamation by the participants, performed at the end of a special event to bring the occasion to a peaceful, lively close. Tejime may be performed at the conclusion of such events as a celebration, meeting of shareholders, or the close of bargaining or other business negotiations. Tejime observes fulfillment, realization, and completion.
Tejime begins by a call from the leader, typically "ote wo haishaku", after which the participants, just before clapping their hands, usually yell "iyō'o", "yo" or "mō itchō" in order to synchronize timing.

Etymology

Tejime is an abbreviated form of teuchi de shimeru, "teuchi" meaning "to strike a deal" or "to come to an agreement" and shimeru meaning "to tie" or "to fasten". Teuchi is used synonymously with tejime, with the former preferred in the Kansai Region.

Types of tejime

There are various ways of clapping hands. The main types are:
For example, in the case of sanbon-jime, the ceremony would go like this:
- Ote wo haishaku
- Iyō'o *clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap*
- Yo *clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap*
- Yo *clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap*
- Arigatō gozaimashita

Other types of tejime include Ōsaka-jime and Hakata te ippon, which is performed during the Hakata-Gion Yamakasa Festival, held in Fukuoka in July.