05/10/2022
Budo
心 SHIN ( Spirit )
技 GI ( Technique/Skill )
体 TAI ( Body )
This is said to be the ultimate goal of the martial artist. To unify the three ( 心技体一 ) requires blood,sweat and tears. This is a humanistic 人 and earthly 地 level of development, and can be possibly related to the Tiger.
神 KAMI ( God )
技 GI ( Technique/Skill )
妙 MYOU ( Mysterious/Miracle )
Written above ( by Soke ) using different kanji, it Shin Gi Tai is expressed with a change in meaning to be “Mysterious God Techniques.” This is a more ethereal level of development ( 天 ) and can be possibly related to the Dragon.
Soke has said that everyone believes techniques are made through their own power. By believing so, we are captured by our own limiting earthly desires and capacity as human beings. We must travel beyond this plane of existence to truly delve into the truth of Budô.
The first stage of Shin Gi Tai is a test of human accomplishment through hard training pursued through our own desires and consciousness.
The second and most important stage is accepting that our true strength comes from “letting go” and accepting a greater power often perceived as “universal” or “godly”. Hence we have a more etherial version of Shin Gi Tai written as “mysterious god techniques” ( represented by the dragon ).
It is my feeling that this transcendence is directly manifested and understood through experiencing and passing the 5th Dan test. The Godan test is said to be the gateway to true martial arts practice and understanding. This test is the bridge between the conscious and subconscious, helping us understand the harmonious existence and connection of heaven, earth and man 天地人.
People often question moments of instinctive realisation. With this non acceptance and disharmony between the conscious mind and subconscious, there can be no true advancement in Budô. This is why the 5th dan test exists. It is a formal push to develop the trust of the subconscious and not question its existence or real power. If the student cannot trust in the subconscious, this test cannot be passed.
頑張ってください!
Keep going!
南虎
“The tiger and the dragon". This refers to two spirits so wildly different and yet at the same time similar, mortal enemies intricately linked together by destiny. ... They can also be seen as the Dragon representing Spirit/Heaven, and the Tiger representing Matter/Earth.