底下是我於 2009 年 12 月時在雅虎奇摩部落格裡寫的文章，前兩天，透過臉書的回憶連結浮現出來，引起一些討論。
謝謝 文武堂陳泰成館長 當初引薦我與 小澤博先生 認識，並獲得他「我以外，皆我師」的親筆簽名。也謝謝陳館長在臉書上回應了這篇舊文。
最後還要謝謝遠在美國的 David Pan 將此文譯為英文，方便我與道館學生或其他外國劍友分享此文。我也很欣賞 David 提出「試劍者」與「練劍者」的差別，言簡意賅！
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日本劍道老師強不強？
Is the kendo sensei from Japan “strong”?
每次，只要有日本的劍道老師來訪，總會引發「這些老師強不強？」的問題。
Every time we get a visiting sensei from Japan, we inevitably get the question, “Is the sensei strong?”
此次小澤老師來訪，自然也不例外。
Naturally, it was no different when Ozawa Sensei came to visit us this time.
對此，引發我一個簡單的想法希望分享：「老師」與「選手」不一樣。
There’s a simple perspective I would like to share regarding this matter: “sensei” and “senshu (active competitor)” are not the same thing.
與「選手」稽古，或許應該要比個輸贏、高下，
When you practice with a “senshu” (someone who is actively training to compete), perhaps it makes sense to treat the practice like a shiai where you win or lose.
但與「老師」稽古，比較大的重心應該是放在稽古過程中或結束後，可以學到甚麼東西。
But when you practice with a sensei, the focus should really be on what you can learn from the experience be it during or after the practice.
當然，對於較資深的劍友前輩，跟高段老師的稽古中，也應該含有「等格稽古」的成分，這純由二者之間的程度差異來決定。
Of course, for some of the more senior practitioners, during their practice with the kodansha sensei, there can be elements of “gokaku geiko”. That would naturally be based on the difference in skill and experience.
日本劍道裡有「升段」與「比賽」兩大元素。
In kendo, the two major elements are shinsa and shiai.
升段，是 criteria check，只要學會某些知識、技巧之後，就可以具有某個段位；這是個「最低門檻」，只要「及格」即可，並不要求「高分」。
Shinsa is like a criteria check. If you meet the bar for a certain amount of knowledge and skill, you can possess the associated rank with those requirements. It is about meeting minimum requirements, not necessarily exceeding the bar.
比賽，是 performances check，要跟對手比速度、肌力、謀略、技巧的純熟度等；偏向於競賽二者之間的「相對」強度。
Shiai, on the other hand, is a performance check. You are competing against your opponent on speed, conditioning, strategy, and technical proficiency. This is more about the relative strength and weaknesses between the two players.
因此，和老師稽古時，若只以「打到老師」或「打贏老師」為出發點，實在有點可惜！
Thus, it would be a real shame if your goals in practicing with the sensei are something along the lines of “being able to hit the sensei” or “beating the sensei”.
老師存在的目的，不僅是幫學生「拿獎盃」而已，更是要幫學生「把劍打好」！
The purpose of the sensei should not just be helping the student “win trophies”, it should be about helping the student do proper kendo well.
最近不免會有人好奇問我：小澤老師強不強？
As time got closer to his visit, people would ask me if Ozawa Sensei is strong.
說真心話，這個問題很不好，我也很難回答這種「是非題」的問題。
It is honestly a bad question and it is very hard for me to answer this kind of True/False question.
因為，從他身上，我再次看到「端正體態、充足氣勢、有效打擊」的示範，也看到他優美的移位身形，更重要的是，我還看著他以「我以外皆我師」自勉與勉人 ... ...
In my mind, the more important thing is that I see from him not only the demonstration of “proper posture, abundant spirit, and valid striking”, I also see his beautiful tai-sabaki and more importantly the attitude of of “wareigai minagawashi” (everyone but me is my teacher) through which he encourage himself and others to grow.
所以，問題癥結在於：”你是想用劍「打贏」別人，還是拿劍把自己「打好」？”
Thus, the real question is, “Are you trying to beat others with the sword, or are you trying to beat yourself with the sword?”
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文武堂 陳泰成館長回覆：
Replies from the thread:
跟小澤老師稽古，我劍不要打那麼正，支數多幾支、衝一點，我想不會摸不到他，用這種方式就算勉強打到了，就很厲害嗎？
When practicing with Ozawa Sensei, I feel like it would be possible for me to “touch him” at least if I compromise my posture and strike more often in a manner almost like kakari-geiko. However, even if I can touch him in this manner, does that mean I’m good?
我想打的是一本。雖然被打的很慘，但是也會知道自己不足的地方在哪裡。
What I want is Ippon. Even though I am being destroy by him, I am learning where I am insufficient as well.
心技體三方面都還有很多要加強的地方。
I need to improve be it in mind/spirit, technique, or body.
跟小澤老師稽古在被壓制的狀況下自己能打出什麼樣的動作、氣勢、技法都清清楚楚，回來就知道自己該加強的地方在哪裡。
If I have clarity on what kind of strikes I can make while being pressured by Ozawa Sensei in practice, then I know what I need to work on.
十幾年前我看過小澤老師被某範八老師K，可是我看的是有來有往的攻防，小澤老師出手的時機都很好，很多支都是只差一點點，但是整個攻防都還是很有節奏，可是對手是拿過八段優勝的範八。
More than a decade ago, I remember watching Ozawa Sensei being dominated by a hachidan hanshi. However, what I saw was not one sided. Not only was there a conversation back and forth in the exchange, a lot of his strikes were only missing by a little bit with excellent timing. Bear in mind this was a hachidan hanshi that won the hachidan tournament that he was facing.