Catalog of Patterns: Structural Patterns / Foot Motion: Circling

Large Circling to the Left (hidari ōmawari)

Circling usually refers to moving in a large arc from upstage to downstage, helping define the dancing space. Because it is space-specific, it is helpful to know the following convention when it comes to numbering the areas on the stage.

The strongest stage positions are Squares 3 and 4 because they are the closest to the audience, and Square 9 because it is center stage. When performing a large left circle (ōmawari), the dancer moves from Squares 9 (or 4) to 6 and then 8. This overall motion from front to backstage, from a strong stage position to a weaker one, has the effect of releasing the tension.

There are two other circle patterns that cover a more limited amount of space: Medium circle (chūmawari) and the Small circle (komawari).