The Japanese word Hara is commonly translated into English as "abdomen". This cursory examination of the word Hara fails to capture the significant role that it plays in many of the Japanese arts.
While referring to Hara in the Martial, Spiritual, or Therapeutic arts of Japan it may be assumed that the lower abdomen is being referenced. Karate, Aikido, Chado (The way of tea), Ikebana (Flower arrangement), and Shiatsu (Therapeutic finger pressure) amongst other arts follow this ideology.
It is my personal opinion that the word Hara is to general of a term and should not be used to characterize the crucial role of the abdomen. Hara more accurately describes an area of the human body that ranges from the base of the sternum to the top of the pubic bone.
In the next three postings to Watashi no Karate Michi, I will detail information and explain common terms that more accurately describe the bodies "Center".
Doryoku,
Scott Middleton