On June 10, 2012, the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai met for their bimonthly training and to study the Jion, Patsai/Passai, Nipaipo, and Saifa/Saifua kata.
Jion is a Tomari-te kata, although it was spread mainly via several students of Itosu Anko Sensei, similar to the related Jiin and Jutte kata. This was known as the signature kata of Hanashiro Chomo, one of Itosu Sensei’s students.
The Patsai/Passai kata is a Shuri-te kata, believed to have been created by “Bushi” Matsumura Sokon. The Matsumura version is called Patsai Dai in Shorin Ryu, having been learned by Chibana Chosin Sensei via Tawada Shinjo, the son of Tawada Shinboku who was a student of Bushi Matsumura. Upon the advice of his teacher Itosu Anko, Chibana Sensei retained this kata in his curriculum, and was told to call his (Itosu’s) version “Patsai Sho.” Since history just enjoys being confusing, the Patsai Sho kata is known as Bassai Dai in Shotokan Karate. This is partly due to the existence of another albeit minor Patsai kata created by Itosu Sensei called the Patsai Gwa. “Gwa” in Okinawan is actually the same character as “Sho”, which means “minor”. It is known as Bassai Sho in Shotokan Karate.
Nipaipo is a Shito Ryu kata with its origins in the Chinese tea merchant Gokenki, who taught the techniques to Mabuni Kenwa Sensei. It is a “number” kata with the name meaning “28.”
Saifa/Saifua is not a “number” kata, but it was brought back from China by Kanryu Higaonna Sensei. The name itself means “smash and tear”, and appropriately, the movements include a lot of grabbing, ripping, tearing.
Every school performed two rounds of their kata, providing answers to any questions following their second performance. We then split into pairs and each school shared a meaning from the performed kata and allowed everyone to practice with a partner.
Once we finished, we all stayed afterwards to talk story and enjoy refreshments provided by Steve Chun (C.Q. Yee Hop Co./Commercial Enterprises), Grant Kawasaki (Hanapa’a Sushi), Lee Sensei, Nakasone Sensei, Sasano Sensei, Ishii-Chang Sensei, Loma Lopes, Nakata Sensei, and Alan Yokota.
Performing the Kata (in order):
- Jion - Ryukyu Kobudo - Alan Yokota, John Oberle
- Jion - Island Ki Dojo - John and JoAnn Endou, Taylour Chang, and Frank Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2)
- Jion - Kenshukan Karate Kobudo Association - Shawna Carino (representing James Miyaji Sensei)
- Jion - Aikenkai - George Sasano Sensei
- Passai (Tomari) - Hikari Dojo - Charles Goodin Sensei
- Passai Gwa - Zentokukai - Angel Lemus Sensei
- Patsai Dai (Matsumura) - OSKA - Steve Chun and Grant Kawasaki
- Nipaipo - International Karate League - Wayne Okamura Sensei, Gary Hiramatsu Sensei, and Robert Matsushita Sensei (representing Walter Nishioka Sensei)
- Saifa - Kyokushin Karate - Dean Harada Sensei
- Saifua - Senbukan Dojo - Alan Lee Sensei, Kyle Nakasone, Ryan Okata
Observing:
James Miyaji Sensei
Carl and Clyde Kinoshita
Loma Lopes
Tommy Terayama
