To provide a bending method and a bending machine which can improve the precision of machining.

When performing positioning of the forward and backward direction by striking a work W against the end gages 21A, 21B of a backgage apparatus 15 and also positioning of the right and left direction by striking the work against positioning members 43A, 43B of the right and left direction of a positioning means 43 of the right and left direction, by respectively moving a plurality of the positioning members 43A, 43B of the right and left direction which are provided in the forward and backward direction in the right and left direction, they are made to coincide with the inclined angle of the work W. When striking the work W against the end gages 21A, 21B, because the amount of the movement of the end gages, which are moved by being pushed with the work W, is detected with detectors 23A, 23B for forward and backward movement which are provided on the end gages 21A, 21B, a right angle to the positioning means 43 of the right and left direction is detected from the difference between the amount of the movements in a plurality of the striking positions. After moving the positioning means 43 of the right and left direction to the right and the left and positioning it, the bending work is performed in the desired position of the bending machine.