On Sat, 15 May 2004, Richard Robinson wrote:
goodwin wrote:
Don't capitalize "chi". It's not the name of something specific. (Aren't
"chi" and "ki" just different spellings of the same word, like "czar"
and "tsar"?)
The answer is yes and no. They both refer to the same concept, but chi
(pronounced the same way as a certain CLAMP created persocom) which also
romanised qi (though this is less common) is the Chinese term, while ki
(pronounced like its spelt) is the Japanese term, but the same word (same
kanji and same pronunciation) can also mean wood depending on the context.
Well the wood part is news to me.
The definitions I use are from various manga and/or anime. Mostly I
used Ranma 1/2 and Dragon Ball but others are involved also.
Ki is the energy inside you. It is used to run your body and to keep you
alive. It can also be translated as soul or spirit in English.
Chi is energy you gather. It is Ki (or rather former Ki energy) that
was released by others, often though not exclusively gathered by your
emotion. Thus the Shi Shi Hokodan which is controlled by how depressed
you are. While the Moko Takabisha is controlled by confidence.
Interesting... The last time I heard this particular argument, it was the
other way around (chi internal, ki external). I would love to hear where
the difference in chi/ki came from as I've always been of the
understanding that they were the same, as goodwin pointed out earlier.
Especially since they are the exact same kanji!