The Possibility of Physical Education as Semantic Generation*

Abstract

This study examined the possibility of regarding Physical Education as "Semantic Generation". First, the educational theory of Yano was examined, in order to consider the concept of the body. And this study considers the advisable body in the Physical Education as "Semantic Generation". Second, the special experience of the general physical movement (i.e. "melting into the world": yokai taiken) was examined. It was argued that the sympathetic and interconnected relationship between one's own body and that of another (intecorporéité) can give rise to a special experience (yokai taiken). The results of this examination were as follows: 1) Yano claimed that Physical Education was not a means of treating the activity of the body as an educational subject. The body is not a physiological or corporeal object. He considered the living body to have existential identity and that it interacted with the world, and that this type of existence was an essential experience for humans. The body that takes place the special peak experience is hoped in the Physical Education as "Semantic Generation". 2) The general physical movement of the same body creates a special experience ("melting into the world": yokai taiken). In the practice of general physical movements, the body schema synchronizes with the movements of others' bodies. This body schema synchronization represents resonance, sympathy and interaction with the bodies of others: in other words, special experience. 3) The resonant and interactive relationship between an individual body and the bodies of others is known as "intecorporéité". Behavior matching and interactional synchrony appear in this relationship. This matching and synchrony of bodies deepen interactive mutual understanding. The resonant and interactive movement of the body, for example, creates "the experience of connection by the body", and this represents the special experience (yokai taiken). 4) Physical Education as "Semantic Generation" can aid in development of educational potential through nurture of the body that creates a special peak experience and resonance, as well as sympathy and interaction with the bodies of others. That is to say, Education in bodily experience of relations between a subject and an object (i.e. "intecorporéité") is important.