Start later, arrive first
A kumdo principle: moving the sword after the opponent and still reaching the target first. It comes from pressuring the opponent into attacking first and then answering calmly, and it takes long training.
How to say it
- Korean
- 후발선지hubal seonji
- Spanish
- Salir después y llegar primero
- English
- Start later, arrive first
- Japanese
- 後発先至こうはつせんしkōhatsu senshi
Hubalseonji (후발선지, 後發先至) is a kumdo term meaning to move the sword later and still make it arrive first.
The Korean sources consulted say the phrase is taken from the «Seolgeompyeon» (설검편) chapter of the Zhuangzi. They add that the Gihyosinseo (기효신서) calls hubalseonji the essence of the highest level of martial arts.
It does not mean literally moving slowly. According to those sources, «later» refers only to the visible movement. The first task is to pressure the opponent psychologically so that they have to rush in first. The one who answers can then move later, calmly, and still arrive first.
The sources say this is possible only after long training, when the body can follow the mind. They warn that if one is overpowered in the contest of gi (기, spirit or energy), the result can be the reverse, seonbalhuji (선발후지, 先發後至): starting first and arriving later.
One source places hubalseonji above the three kinds of seon (선, initiative): seon-ui seon (선의 선), dae-ui seon (대의 선) and hu-ui seon (후의 선). It says that when body and mind are in harmony, all three can be used freely.
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