Catalog of Patterns: Structural Patterns / Foot Motion: Circling

Large Circling to the Right (migi ōmawari)

Circling usually refers to moving in a large arc from upstage to downstage, which helps define the dancing space. Because it is space-specific, it is important 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 since it is center stage. When performing a large right circle (ōmawari), the dancer moves from Squares 9 (or 4) to 2 and then to 8. This overall motion from front to backstage, and 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).