When I paint I start with a blank canvas, usually white, sometimes black or gray. Using a variety of brushes and techniques I apply color to the canvas and as I progress a scene gradually appears. The clarity of the scene is dependent upon the distance from which the painting is viewed. The optimum distance for viewing a painting will vary with each observer; but generally, too far away and the scene will fade to obscurity, while if too close the scene becomes just a collection of blobs and streaks of colors.
Uke and I are a blank canvas upon which we will render our Aikido. Practicing randori we employ a variety of attacks and defensive techniques, and as we progress the breadth of our Aikido gradually appears. Viewing Aikido being performed is akin to viewing a painting. An observer too far away sees an obscure blur of motion, too close and the synergy of uke and nage is lost as the frame of reference of the observer becomes too narrow.
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