The following comes from my vendor Tozando. As I don’t have a link to directly refer folks to the following thoughts on “polish”, I still want to give full credit to them. Yes, I wish they had a direct link to a blog so more could enjoy and learn from the thoughts they share.
Thoughts on Terms
Two words used quite a bit in and around the dojo (at least in this neck of the woods) are migaki and shiage. Migaku means “to polish”. This term is used to mean refinement at times and in this case is referring to the refinement of waza. What is refinement? Well –
A refined waza, from the understanding that I (no editorial “we” here) have personally ascertained, is found in making the waza your own. This should not be misunderstood to imply that you alter the waza or perform it in any novel or unique way, but rather that it is performed with no duress or uncertainty – performed with intent and carried out from beginning to end by using the opponent to show that everything transpiring was as intended. The strike was not successful due to one’s speed or physical strength over the opponent, per se, but through the complete understanding of the timing, distance, and required physical movement to perform this waza while maintaining your composure and posture. A polished waza is one that you have fully made something that is a part of you. Easy, yeah?
Hiage is the tail end of a waza that has been well polished. Shiage is often used when a craftsperson completes a work. The final refinements or cleaning of a work; the final touches that takes something from an incomplete craft to a fully realized, personal expression of the craftsperson. Many may be thinking, “But isn’t that zanshin?” While maintaining zanshin is a big part of the completion of the waza, it is not the full picture that shiage draws. Consider the way in which zanshin can be expressed. While they are not always the same, there are individuals who perform zanshin while maintaining an aura which exceeds simply maintaining an alertness and readiness to continue, but fully express zanshin while also displaying a grace in confidence that while they are still aware and ready, they are also able to display this work that they have created to be viewed. I have heard it simplified beautifully and succinctly that, “Kendo is like a performance. It is something you are showing to others. It has to be elegant and beautiful to watch. So, it needs to be polished, and it needs a beautiful ending.”
-S