, translating simply "interval", is a
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the variety of martial arts native to the country of Japan. At least three Japanese terms (''budō'', ''bujutsu'', and ''bugei'') are used interchangeably with the English phrase Japanese martial arts.
The usage ...
term referring to the space between two opponents in combat; formally, the "engagement distance".
The concept of incorporates not just the distance between opponents, but also the time taken to cross the distance and the angle and rhythm of attack; collectively, these all factor in to the exact position from which one opponent can strike other – e.g., a faster opponent's is farther away than a slower opponent.
It is ideal for one opponent to maintain while preventing the other from doing so, meaning that they can strike before the opponent can, rather than both striking simultaneously, or being struck without being able to strike back.
Types
In
kendo
is a modern Japanese martial art, descended from kenjutsu (one of the old Japanese martial arts, swordsmanship), that uses bamboo swords ( shinai) as well as protective armor ( bōgu). Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and has spre ...
, has a more specific interpretation. In physical terms, it pertains to the distance maintained between two opponents. When is interpreted as the actual distance between opponents, there are three types:
# — long distance
# — one-foot-one-sword distance, also called (middle distance)
# — short distance
is the distance equaling one step to make one strike. It measures about two metres between opponents; from which either need advance only one step in order to strike the other. Normally, most techniques are initiated at this distance. is the distance narrower than (short/close distance), and is greater (long/far distance). At , there is a small margin of time to allow for a reaction to be made against an opponent's attack. But at there exists almost no margin at all, so that at this distance one's attention has to remain constantly alert and unbroken.
Timing
In terms of time, pertains to the momentary lapses of
awareness
Awareness is the state of being conscious of something. More specifically, it is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be cognizant of events. Another definition describes it as a state wherein a subject is aware of some in ...
that are manifested in the opponent's mind. Extended further, it also embraces the concept of (emptiness-fullness of ). These momentary lapses of mind, and , are known as the (mental interval). The implication of is that although the physical distance between opponents may be mutually advantageous, the mental interval possessed by individuals will determine who will have the decisive advantage.
The Kendo Reader
by Noma Hisashi, Kyoshi (1910-1939) transl. by Norges Kendôforbund 2003 (PDF
Portable Document Format (PDF), standardized as ISO 32000, is a file format developed by Adobe in 1992 to present documents, including text formatting and images, in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. ...
)
References
External links
The Kendo Reader
(PDF
Portable Document Format (PDF), standardized as ISO 32000, is a file format developed by Adobe in 1992 to present documents, including text formatting and images, in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. ...
)
{{Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts terminology
Kendo
Aikido