Some believe that there is a deeper meaning to the 'three battles' beyond the physical Kata. It is possible that the intention behind the name is also referring to the three battles within every Budoka.
The three battles that we fight daily. We fight to be fit and strong, we fight to perfect our technique and we fight to be a better person with more discipline and learning.
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| Shin-Gi-Tai |
There is a Japanese term for these three separate conflicts: "Shin-Gi-Tai".
A Budoka must put equal effort into each of these if they want to be a true martial artist. They are the foundation that hold up every aspect of Budo.For this reason they are known as the "3 Pillars of Budo".
The following is a brief description of each 'pillar' and how it is involved within the context of Budo training.
SHIN
'Shin' is all the mental aspects of Budo training.Among Budoka today 'Shin' has become quite a broad term, as it encompasses everything that isn't the actual physical side of Budo training.
This includes:
- Being mindful to develop good Zanshin,
- being analytical to develop understanding (and technique) and in turn lead to development of Mushin and a Wise/Calm spirit,
- incorporating Bushido (or similar moral teachings) to develop character and attitude, also leading to Wise/Calm spirit.
Being mindful is basically another way of saying "to be in the present moment", keeping your mind on the 'here and now'. This is important when training, because if you don't, you'll find yourself just going through the motions and not really learning or improving anything. Without focus on what you're doing; it's likely that you'll miss the point.
More important than simply paying attention is the mindset that we are developing by being mindful, 'Zanshin'.
Zanshin 残心 is the Japanese concept of calm awareness. The direct translation of the Kanji is "The Remaining Mind", my interpretation of this is 'the awareness that remains when you clear your mind of all distractions'.
Zanshin is the natural state of being calm and alert to your surroundings at all times. It is a crucial part of a martial artists mindset. How are you able to defend yourself if you aren't even aware of the situation?
Being analytical is required for any real understanding, without understanding we are truly lost. As I said in my post 'knowledge understanding in Budo', Only you can understand the knowledge in your head, it is 100% internal. Nothing external can make your mind understand something; the whole process takes place internally, within your head.
We must think and analyse, only then will we find understanding. We will only ever be able to correct ourselves when we make analysis a habit.
The below flowchart shows the learnt information becoming knowledge, then understanding, then experience, then deeper understanding and then wisdom.
The key thing to notice is that each step requires analysis, you need to be thinking about the information to make it knowledge, you must be thinking about that knowledge if you want to understand it, and so on.
The other thing to notice is that you might understand something but to go beyond just understanding requires action.
It's acting on your understanding (with continued analysis) that becomes experience and the same thing later with wisdom.
Experience, understanding and wisdom allows us to have a calm spirit.
With a calm spirit we can develop 'Mushin'.
Mushin 無心 directly translates as 'No Mind'. This mindset is required for any good warrior. It is about being able to clear your mind, stay calm and have the control to purge fear, pride, ego or anger.
Mushin is about being able to empty the mind of conscious thought and allow the subconscious to take over, this is where the techniques practiced in training over and over come out and can be utilised.
A key part of 'Shin' (and an aspect of a mature Budoka) is morality and virtue. Someone trained in fighting techniques must temper their skill with being an honourable, good and just person. The Samurai code of Bushido is a good starting point but must be expanded upon and grown to be part of the individual's character. Incorporating this helps shape and polish the spirit. It's about becoming the best person you can be.
GI
'Gi' is what most easily identifies the style or the system. It starts from "how to make a fist" at the first class and never stops. It is everything that is involved with the actual training of techniques that make up the entire art form.'Kihon' is the foundation of 'Gi', every simple basic technique (like a punch or a kick) is 'Kihon'. Most schools have a list of set kihon techniques for beginners, so they are easier to learn. Kihon isn't just for beginners, Budoka of all grades should practice the basic techniques.
The Kihon can be connected together and built up into more complex combinations, for both simple training and for practical use.
Through training with various combinations we develop timing and accuracy; these are both integral skills for the execution of effective and efficient Kihon techniques.
Complex combinations are the constituents of the patterns that make up the real technical training exercises, 'Kata'.
Each kata can potentially be a complete fighting system. If one studies the Kata hard and long enough, the true essence of true Budo will begin to reveal itself.
The practical applications behind the techniques in Kata is the 'Bunkai'. If you wish to be able to use the techniques that you practice over and over in the Kata, you must be proficient and practiced with the Bunkai. This gives meaning and purpose to the Kata.
It's the Bunkai that makes Kata deeper and more meaningful than just a dance routine.
Beyond the Bunkai is the 'art form', this is 'Gi' at it's highest, it is Budo's most noble aspect.
The art form is the reason why it's not easy, it's the reason why not everyone becomes a master at it. It's the reason why it's a life long pursuit.
It's the reason why people that only have a vague part-time interest fail to truly understand it's subtleties.
TAI
In Budo, 'Tai' includes all of the physical aspects of a Budoka's body that facilitate the use and execution of 'Gi'. This involves both the physical characteristics we have and the training we do to enhance them.I have noticed that this pillar seems to be a source of contention among various Budoka, specifically regarding the amount of time and focus that should be put into it during training.
Some will say that developing the body in terms of strength, fitness and physical ability is the whole point of Budo training. They'll say that "it's not proper training if you're not getting the heart pumping, working up a sweat or getting to a point where you leave with aching muscles".
There are others that will say that the "fitness stuff" is only optional and doesn't really capture the essence of Budo training. These people believe that "it doesn't matter how strong you are, as long as the technique is correct." They'll say that Budo is all about skill and knowledge.
In reality it's both, Budo training isn't 'all' about fitness, but it's a big part of it. Making your techniques "technically correct" isn't enough. This is also about training the body to be stronger and more agile in order to generate more power and be more adept with the techniques, but if you spend all of your time in training just building strength then other important parts of training will be forgotten. Basically, it's an extremely important part of Budo, but it isn't 'everything'.
We develop 'Tai' during most of our training. In general Kata will help develop 'Shin', 'Gi' and 'Tai' at the same time.
While pretty much all training exercises will have aspects that help with physical development (some exercises are better for this than others), there are some exercises that are tailored solely for the development of 'Tai', traditionally Hojo Undo is used for this.
In my post about Physical Development in Budo I went into detail regarding Hojo Undo and the tools involved.
Training to increase correct strength is ultimately about control. The stronger you are, the more control you have over your body. With greater control your techniques will have the capacity for better speed and increased power generation.
With more control comes the capability for better accuracy, better accuracy has a direct positive influence on everything in 'Gi' and makes all Kihon more effective.
Better strength also provides control not just over your techniques, but the whole body, leading to better balance.
'Tai' isn't only about strength, in my post about Physical Development I said: Flexibility, in many ways, is the opposite of strength. Where strength is how well the muscles have the ability to contract and pull.
Flexibility is the how far the muscles and tendons can stretch contributing to the range of movement throughout the body in areas like the joints and through the hips, back and neck. Flexibility can be maintained through normal Kata and Kihon training, but a Budoka can improve the flexibility with regular stretching.
Flexibility is also a key aspect of 'Tai' contributing to range of movement and our ability to effectively execute the techniques.
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| **3 Pillars - An Obvious Metaphor** |
Shin-Gi-Tai can be found in more than just Budo training. Within pretty much anything Shin-Gi-Tai exists.
On this website it says:
Shin-Gi-Tai is the joining of mind, skill, and body to produce a complete person. These three human qualities parallel the essence of the heavens (represented by a person's mind), earth (an individual's skills) and man (the body). Eric Clapton playing solo "unplugged" has Shin-Gi-Tai. He sits and puts all of himself into each note, striking not only the guitar's strings but the "cords" in the audience's heart and bringing tears to their eyes.
You can look at anything that requires any sort of skill in terms of Shin-Gi-Tai, ranging from playing a musical instrument, to using a computer, to the use of language, even something as simple as walking, listening or reading.
Anything that requires us to do or know anything has Shin-Gi-Tai.
With this knowledge we can approach any task the same as our Budo training and find the way in everything we do!
