The original Japanese text:
第二 準備動作
（一）構
氣勢ニヲ充實シ足ヲ六方ニ開キ半身入身合氣ノ姿勢ヲ以テ敵ニ對ス（第一圖）
總テ構ハ時、位置、土地ノ高低、其ノ時ノ勢等ニ因リ惟神ニ起ルモノニシテ常ニ構ハ心ニアルモノトス
足ノ踏ミ方ニハ外六方、内六方及外巴、内巴アリ練習ノ際ニ傅授ス
注意
練習ノ際シテハ敵ノ構、敵トノ間合ヲ考ヘ左或ハ右ノ構ヲ用フ動作ノ終リシ時兩足ハ常ニ六方ニ開キアル如ク練磨スル要ス
敵ニ正對スルハ隙多キヲ以テ不利トス
English translation:
Section 2: Preparatory Movements
(1) Kamae
Fill yourself with Ki power, open
your legs in six directions and face the enemy in the hanmi irimi
posture of Aiki (see Figure 1).
When assuming any stance, align
yourself with the principles of the Kami according to your position, the
level of the terrain and your spirit at that time, and always keep this
stance in your heart.
In footwork there is an external
six directions and an internal six directions as well as an outer spiral
and an internal spiral, this will be taught in practice.
Caution:
Concerning the stance of the enemy in training.
Be mindful of the distance between you and the enemy and assume a left or right stance. At the end of each movement always open both legs in six directions, it is necessary to train this.
Be mindful of the distance between you and the enemy and assume a left or right stance. At the end of each movement always open both legs in six directions, it is necessary to train this.
If you face directly towards the enemy there will be many openings and you will be at a disadvantage.
"SIX DIRECTIONS" is a common term in Chinese internal martial arts. Take a look at Liu Mian Mo Li (六面摸力) in Yiquan,
for a good example - a force balanced through your body in six
directions. In this case we're talking about basic stability in all
directions - something that makes all kinds of sense in terms of
standing up and walking in a martial situation.
Inner and outer spirals through the legs and body are also commonly described in Chinese internal martial arts. Here is a diagram and excerpt of text from
"Illustrated Explanations of Chen Family Taijiquan" by Chen Xin, the
emphasis of the underlined section is mine.
Coiling power (Chan Jin) is all
over the body. Putting it most simply, there is coiling inward (Li Chan)
and coiling outward (Wai Chan), which both appear once (one) moves.
There is one (kind of coiling) when left hand is in front and right hand
is behind; (or when) right hand is in front and left hand is behind;
this one closes (He) (the hands) with one conforming (Shun) (movement).
There is also one (coiling) that closes the inside of the left (side of
the body) and the back of the right (side of the body), and another
which uses the through-the-back power (Fanbei Jin) and closes towards
the back. All of them should be moved naturally according to the
(specific) postures.
Once
Qi of the hand moves to the back of the foot, then big toe
simultaneously closes with the hand and only at this moment (one can)
step firmly.
Hard as it is to believe, there has never been a commercial
re-publication of the text of "Budo" in Japanese. The only people in
Japan who have read "Budo" are those that have gotten hold of the
original publication or a homemade copy. Even Morihiro Saito, who, it could be argued, spent more time alone with
Ueshiba after the war than anybody else, was astonished to learn of
this text!
