It is good to have one’s thoughts confirmed by others. As the regulars will know, I have drawn constant parallels between dance and shibari. Here is something from ShigonawaBingo, translated by Rida.
[private] ダンスDance感情や意思)の伝達、表現、交流などを目的とした、一定の時間と空間内に展開されるリズミカルな身体)動作。
Rhythmical Body movements performed in a given space and in a give time frame, as a way to exchange, share and express mind and soul.
この意味を捉えると、縛りもダンスなんだと思えませんか？
According to this definition, doesn’t Shibari too sound like it is a dance?
個別レッスンで早縄から学ぶことを教えたりしていると、特にそう思えます。
I often have this thought especially when giving private lessons where I teach what you learn from hayanawa.
一定の時間内にひとつの形を完成させる。
Completing a form within a given time,
ダンスにも色々なダンスがあります。
There are different style of dance
躍り方は様々でも、それぞれのダンスには個性があり、歴史やルールがあったりします。
And even when the styles are so different they all have their own personality, their own history and their own rules.
躍りを覚えるにも得手、不得手があるし、一流のダンサーには才があります。
And there are some that are good at picking up dance, and some that are less good, and among the top dancers you find the truly talented ones.
躍りを自分の体に覚え込ませ、決められた一定の動作を、コンスタントに行える者が、舞台に立つことが出来る。
Making your body learn and remember the dance, executing the given steps and movement, and only the one that can constantly reproduce the routine can stand on the stage.
縛りも、一定の動作をコンスタントに出来るってことは、とても重要なことです。
In Shibari too is very important to be able to repeat with consistence certain given movements.
そこから余裕が生まれ、他に気を配ったり、別のことが出来たり、それぞれの個性を出すことが出来たりする。
Once your body has learned the basic movements, then you are able to expand on them, paying attention to other details, experiment with different things and create and express your own personality.
縛りもダンス。
So again, Shibari too is a dance.
といっても、躍りながら縛るって意味ではありません。
Not that I mean tying while dancing.
重心やバランスが取れなければ、ターンもできない。
Without a balanced center, you cannot make swirls.
足の動きがわからなければ、ステップも踏めない。
If you don’t know how to move your feet, you cannot do your steps.
自分がダンスできなくて、相手をエスコートすることも、心を奪うことも、魅了することもできません。
And if you cannot dance your own part, you cannot lead your partner, steal her and mesmerize her soul.
上手にダンスをすれば、床上手
But if you are a good dancer … you are the “king of the floor”
[play on word and joke as the literal translation is “king of the floor” but is used to express “being skilled in bed”.]
相手はまた一緒に踊りたいと思ってくれるでしょう。
And your partner will surely want to dance with you again.