In the video's I have provided for review on seiza one kind of makes fun of a foreigner having a most difficult and painful time sitting seiza while a lecture is given. This style of sitting is not mainstream in Japan anymore for the Japanese in general. Even those who do sit seiza it appears that those who have not practiced sitting in this fashion since childhood also have a good deal of difficulty and pain when in that position.
Sitting seiza apparently is something born from the "tea ceremony." It was used by the tea masters because it was the only position that allowed better movement when sitting seiza then in other forms of sitting, i.e. ergo it was aesthetically better and promoted the form used in the ceremony that was harmonious to the process. The tea ceremony requires absolute control and economy of movement much like economy of movement as a principle of martial arts.
The tea ceremony became a huge thing in that period and it was adopted and integrated into the Japanese culture for all occasions for Japanese in all classes.
Today, as mentioned already, the only Japanese who sit seiza tend to be martial arts, professional performers, tea masters and disciples, priests, and a few others who practice a traditional Japanese activity, art or discipline.
Foreigners are often allowed to sit "agura" which is the Indian style of sitting with legs crossed in front of the body simply because without the long history of seiza practice it is just too painful.
If you can and do sit seiza it is interesting that even today most Japanese believe no one but a Japanese can do it so when a foreigner sits seiza properly they are completely surprised.
Bibliography:
DeMente, Boye Lafayette. "Japan's Cultural Code Words: 233 Key Terms That Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese." Tuttle. Vermont, Tokyo and Singapore. 2004.
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