November 15, 2014

Quickly Moving and Slowly Moving 速く動く,ゆっくり動く

形は,動きの流れに沿ってあるスピード(勢い,ペース)やリズム(テンポ)で動くことが伝承されている。習い始めは,まず動きの順番(流れ)を覚えることが求められる。一通り覚えたら次はその形特有のスピードとリズムを動きに合わせて覚える。ここまでが入門段階だろう。

有段者あるいは上級者は次の段階に進む。同じ形の同じ動作でも,スピードやリズムを変えて動いてみる。すると,伝統的に伝わっているスピードとリズムで練った場合と明らかに身体感覚が異なる。例えば,同じ動作でも,ゆっくり動いた方が,内的な身体感覚を練りやすい。速く動くとごまかしが効くけれど,ゆっくり動くとごまかしが効かない。また,ゆっくり動いた方が意識を身体各所に向けやすい。

武道の稽古としては,だから,様々なスピードとリズムで形を練るのが良い。あえてスピードを速める,あるいは,緩める。あえてリズムを崩す,あるいは,変化させる。そうすることで指先から足先までの身体各所の微細な感覚を詳細に感じ取ることできる。スピードとリズムの違いによる感覚の違いを味わう。そうすることで,身体への気づきがより促される。

武術的にも,速く動くこととゆっくり動くことの両方で稽古をした方が良いだろう。一人稽古で形を練るばかりでなく,二人稽古で技を合わせる場合にも同様である。そうすることで,身体操作の幅が広がる。身体操作の幅が広がれば,敵への対応の幅も広がるだろう。

As for katas of martial arts, it is passed down that we should move along a specific series of actions with a certain speed (momentum or pace) and rhythm (or tempo). When we start learning martial arts, we are required first to memorize the order (sequence) of movements. Once you memorize all the order, then we need to learn it with a speed and rhythm specific to the kata. Until this stage may be the introduction.

Dan-holding or advanced-level practitioners progress to the next stage. If you held a black-belt, when you practice the same movements in the same kata, you should try to move with a different speed and rhythm. Then, you will find a clearly different physical sensation from when you practice with a traditional speed and rhythm. For example, you can cultivate your inner physical sensation more easily by moving slowly than quickly, even when you perform the same actions. You can hide something vague and unclear in the movements if you move quickly, but can not do that if slowly. In addition, you can direct attention to each part of your body more easily when you move slowly.

Therefore, if you want more advanced practice of Budo, you should polish your katas with various kinds of speed and rhythm. You should do intend to quicken or slow down. You should do intend to break or change the rhythm. It allows you to feel the fine sensations of every parts of the body in detail, from fingertips to toes. You can taste the differences in sense made by the different speed and rhythm. It helps you to be more aware of your body.

In terms of martial arts training, you should practice moving both quickly and slowly. You should do that not only when you polish katas by yourself, but also when you practice techniques with a partner. Then, it enables you to broaden the extent of your body manipulation. The broader the extent of your body manipulation is, the broader the extent of interaction with enemies would be.