Translation

Just to be clear, you're asking for a translation into Japanese of a paraphrase of an English translation of the Chinese original and people are concerned about accuracy? If accuracy is important, you want to go straight from the original to the target language, preferably done by someone who is native in the target language and fluent in the original and knowledgeable of the context.

This really is not a big deal. I really didn't think it'd be this much of a problem and it's beginning to feel like beating a dead horse, so I'd just as soon drop this. I've got it in English and I've got it in Chinese, so that's good enough. Thanks all.

Jeremy Morrison wrote: Yeah, I see what you mean, Carl; "kokyu no naka ni" could be in the middle of exhaling or inhaling. "Kokyu no aida ni" seems a little weird, though, too, because I always think of "aida ni" as defining the space between two things.

Of the two, I would default, if the context is aikido, to "kokyu no naka ni" as it relates directly to the founders' vision of the importance of Ame no Mi-naka-nushi no Kami -- Master of the Center-Heaven. Abe Sensei describes this kami as "root of breath" and in an interview on this topic has the following:

Abe Sensei wrote: In a case of Aikido, there are invisible heart and breathe there. And, if one trains the method of breathing mainly by oneself, one's own Aikido will be established. The way of training of body is depend on where one places Minakanushi. It means that heart, breathe, and body should be united and, when one practices, heart, breathe, and body must be located at the center. "Exhale, stop breathing, inhale, hold breathing", each position of breathing method is the location of Minakanushi. The technique is changed by your decision of which one is main: Is inhale main?, is holding breath main?, is exhale main?, or is stopping breathing main? The choice can be made unconsciously by training. Therefore, the Aikido will be Aikido with harmony. In a home, Minakanushi is different when the husband is main and when the wife is main. The elements of Minakanushi are what something main (sic) will never be fixed. The center moves around, but it is never fixed. The wife is Minakanushi until preparing breakfast in the morning. While having meal, the husband is Minakanushi. After the husband went work, the wife becomes Minakanushi. Just like that, Minakanushi never be fixed. Minakanushi of "Kojiki" teaches us to get it and know it.

Clarence Couch wrote: Well, I have some nasty scars from my wrist to my armpit from a bad accident with a big piece of glass, so I'm considering covering them up, but I'm afraid the quote is too much writing. I'll probably go with a dragon.

Dear Clarence,

I would just like to mention that if you plan on spending time in Japan, tattoos are still almost only worn by yakuza. The rock'n'roll crowd is starting to sport them now as well, but tattoos are highly stigmatized in Japanese society. Many swimming pools, onsen (hot spring baths) and sento (traditional Japanese hot spring bath houses)have a no-tattoo policy. Not only for your own sake, but also for the sake of the Japanese people who you in the future might be befriending will be put in trying situations. Please consider this.

In aiki,

Ethan Weisgard