14 April 2013: Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai Session

On 14 April 2013, the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai studied Kanegawa no Timbei, Wansu/Wanshu/Empi, Naihanchi Sandan, and Seipai. Each school performed two rounds of their kata, and following their second performance, they explained/demonstrated the meanings and applications of all the kata movements.

The Kanegawa no Timbei kata is said to be a longstanding weapons tradition and was preserved by Taira Shinken, the founder of Ryukyu Kobudo. Essentially a short spear and shield art, its origins are found in a simple farmer’s hat or wooden pot cover used in conjunction with a sharpened stick (potato digger) called a hira. When the stick has a metal tip, it is called a rochin. When demonstrating the meanings for this kata, I chose primarily to show applications against an opponent armed with a sword. Many kata have a distinct “flavor” to them, and this one has a strong emphasis on deceiving the opponent. This includes feints, constantly hiding the weapon with your shield, and even purposely turning your back on the opponent to draw him in. Because the opponent is armed with a sword, blocks are either jamming the opponent’s attack before he can enter the proper range or deflecting the sword at an angle if he is in the proper range. There are no attempts to block the blade directly, since it could theoretically slice through your shield, especially if it is in fact just a hat or pot cover.

The Wansu/Wanshu kata is considered by some to be the oldest of all Okinawan karate kata. The Okinawan pronunciation is “Wansu” while the more Chinese pronunciation is “Wanshu.” Gichin Funakoshi Sensei renamed it to "Empi" when he introduced karate to the Japanese mainland. The Tomari version of this kata is likely closer to the original version, as opposed to the Itosu version. It was interesting to see the variations of the throw towards the end of the kata as well as the turn/jump which immediately follows. Some schools demonstrated jumping over a low attack, while others jumped over the body of the opponent they just threw. Others have the meaning to actually jump on the opponent as a finishing move. In the Itosu Wansu, according to Chibana Chosin Sensei, the throw takes place during the turn and the opponent is stepped around rather than jumped over.

There is some speculation, although unconfirmed, that the Naihanchi Sandan was a creation of Anko Itosu. Naihanchi Shodan and Nidan, on the other hand, are generally accepted as being the creation of Tudi Sakugawa. In any case, all the Naihanchi kata served as the core kata for the Shurite schools. Chibana Chosin Sensei once explained to my Sensei that when he started training with Itosu Sensei, he was first taught Naihanchi Shodan. This was the only kata he was taught for 6 months, and he was required to practice it 200 times a day. This was Itosu Sensei's way of testing his will and commitment.

The Seipai kata is a Nahate kata, meaning it was imported and performed in Okinawa in the same way it was taught in China. Seipai means “18”, although the number itself does not appear to have any significance. 

Performing the kata (in order):

• Kanegawa no Timbei - Ryukyu Kobudo - Steve Lodge, John Oberle (Explanations)
• Empi (Wanshu) - Kenshukan - Ralph Sakauye Sensei
• Empi - Island Ki - Frank Lopes and Loma Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2 and Explanations)
• Wanshu (Tomari) - Hikari Dojo - Charles Goodin Sensei
• Wansu (Tomari) - International Karate League - Craig Hamakawa Sensei (Explanations), Gary Hiramatsu Sensei, Robert Matsushita Sensei, Steve Lodge Sensei, Carl Sunada Sensei
• Wansu (Tomari) - Zentokukai - Angel Lemus Sensei
• Naihanchi Sandan - OSKA - Grant Kawasaki (Explanations), Ted Kaneshiro, John Oberle
• Naihanchi Sono San - Kyokushin Karate - Herb Ishida Sensei (Explanations), Dean Harada Sensei
• Seipai - Senbukan Dojo - Alan Lee Sensei (Explanations), Ryan Okata

Observing: Alan Yokota

Life After Sensei

“At some point, you have to train for yourself.”

I’ve said those words many times over the past six and a half years, either to myself or others. Normally, it’d be after one of us was feeling pretty miserable after an evening of Pat Nakata Sensei’s particularly harsh brand of giving corrections. He always had a way of getting under your skin and making it personal. “It HAD to be personal,” he would often explain. “Something has to break through that barrier so you can break your bad habits.” In the first several years of training, I could have literally used one hand to count the times he paid me compliments on my karate and still not have used all my fingers.

Desperately wanting someone else’s approval was a relatively new experience for me; I’ve always considered myself to be highly self-motivated and quite competitive for achievement’s sake alone.  There were many nights where I left the dojo with my mind reeling and my self-esteem knocked down a few pegs. All the same, it would always feel worth it on those rare occasions where Sensei would begrudgingly give one of his heavily qualified compliments. This would invariably result in me spending the rest of the night with a goofy grin on my face (after I left the dojo of course).

The darker side of “at some point you have to train for yourself” was that Sensei wasn’t always going to be around. That point in time began to feel uncomfortably close when he was diagnosed about a year and a half ago with mesothelioma of the heart, an exceedingly rare form of the asbestos-related cancer. Still, a large part of me believed he would miraculously shake this off like he did everything else. After all, this was the superman who had an unexplained heart attack and flat-lined in front of me one night at the dojo, and less than a month after spending 11 days in ICU, was almost back to 100% and just as fierce as ever.

But on Feb 7, 2013, Sensei’s fight was over and the time had come. The preceding weeks gave some indication, but I didn’t want to believe the signs. I didn’t want to believe I would never hear his harsh criticisms, his rare praise, or even one of those stories we’ve all heard him tell a hundred times before. This was the man who made me feel like a part of his family ever since my first day in Hawaii when he took me to his home and his wife Jeanette cooked me dinner. He was the man who would spend hours teaching, mentoring, and inspiring me at least six days a week if not more. 

And he was gone.

I took it hard. For the first few days I hardly ate, I hardly slept. I went to work, I went to practice, but it was kind of a daze. I tried to put on a good show but inside I was torn up. If I couldn’t sleep much the first few days, then the next few days were the opposite. Apart from work or practice, pretty much all I did was sleep. I just didn’t have any interest in anything else.

But, leave it to Sensei to be different. Several years ago, he had written his last wishes and left them with his wife, and they stated that he did not want any religious ceremony, memorial, or funeral. Instead, he wanted his students to hold a demonstration and perform all of the karate and kobudo kata in his curriculum. It was just like him; he would never turn down an opportunity to make us train harder and improve. What greater tribute could there be?

Like everyone else, I wanted to look good. More importantly, I wanted my karate to be strong. If my karate was strong, then it would bear witness to Sensei’s legacy. As I resolved to train even harder, it made me remember my words once more. I remembered that I was drawn to Sensei not just because of his own greatness, but because of the greatness he could develop in others. I remembered that I always trained hard because it was the path I chose for myself.

On March 16th, we held the demonstration in his honor and we all did our best. That day has come and gone, but the lifelong demonstration continues. Sensei may not be physically present at the dojo anymore, but he never misses a single practice. I am not alone when I say I can still hear his corrections as I train. I can see that amused glimmer in his eyes as he smiles, and that look of fierce concentration as he trains. And though I still train for myself, it gives me strength as I continue along my path.

Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai Session: December 9, 2012

On 9 December 2012, the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai held its most recent study session, examining the Pinan/Heian Sandan and Godan, Kyan Bo no Kata Dai, and Gekisai Sandan and Yondan.

Historical context on the Pinan/Heian kata, the Kyan (Ufuchiku) weapon system, and the Gekisai kata can be found in the previous entry here.

We continued our new format where everyone performed two rounds of their kata, and after the second round, the meanings / applications of the kata movements were explained and demonstrated with a partner move-by-move from start to finish. Following this round, we split into pairs and each school shared one of those meanings for everyone to practice with a partner. 

One of the interesting discussions that took place resulted from a question raised whether everyone felt they should step and/or execute techniques exactly as is practiced in the kata (forms) during an actual fight, or if there is a large degree of variation and modification that should be expected. In my mind, this question deals directly with the often controversial issue of using kata to train for fighting in the first place. I can see the merits of both sides, but I personally lean towards executing the motions as close to the way they are practiced in the kata as possible. For me this boils down to the sports and physical science theory that the mental and physical benefits gained from repetitive physical training are primarily limited to the specific motions practiced, and largely only in the specific manner they are practiced. Simply put, your techniques will be strong if they are executed using the same precise motions and timing as the kata, because that is what you are physically and mentally training yourself to do.

At this point it might be worth mentioning that my general philosophy is rather than have a very large bag of tricks to address the very wide range of situations one can encounter in a fight, I prefer to have various core techniques that are widely applicable without having to modify them. For example, our blocks are structured to be effective regardless if an opponent punches high, medium or low, and with the left hand or the right. Consequently, I also believe that if there are multiple meanings to a certain movement in a kata, the technique has to be executed in the same way for all meanings. An example of this would be towards the end of our Pinan Godan kata, where a “turn and throw” also has the meaning of a block to the front and/or the side. Regardless of the meaning used, the technique is executed in a manner so that all meanings are practical. 

At any rate, it is these kinds of discussions that I find very interesting... even if there are differing views it is certainly very educational to look at some of these core fighting and training principles from multiple angles. Plus, it is very nice to be in a sharing forum where we can disagree without becoming disagreeable!

  

Once we finished, we all stayed afterwards to talk story and enjoy refreshments. Thank you to everyone as always for the food and drink!

Performing the kata (in order):

• Pinan Sandan / Pinan Godan - OSKA - Alan Yokota Sensei, Grant Kawasaki (Explanation for Pinan Sandan), Ted Kaneshiro (Explanation for Pinan Godan), John Oberle
• Heian Sandan / Heian Godan - Minakami Dojo - Sean Roberts Sensei 
• Heian Sandan / Heian Godan - Island Ki Dojo - Frank Lopes and Loma Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2 and Explanations)
• Pinan Sandan / Pinan Godan - International Karate League - Gary Hiramatsu Sensei (representing Nishioka Sensei and Explanations), Robert Matsushita Sensei and Craig Kobayashi Sensei
• Pinan Sono San / Pinan Sono Go - Kyokushin Karate - Herb Ishida Sensei (Explanations), Dean Harada Sensei 
• Kyan Bo no Kata Dai - Ryukyu Kobudo - Alan Yokota Sensei, John Oberle (Explanations)
• Gekisai Sandan / Gekisai Yondan - Senbukan Dojo - Alan Lee Sensei (Explanations), Kyle Nakasone Sensei, Ryan Okata

Aug and Oct 2012 Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai Sessions

On Aug 12 and Oct 14, 2012, the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai gathered to study the Pinan / Heian Shodan, Nidan, and Yondan Kata, the Kyan Bo no Kata Sho and Kyan Sai no Kata Sho, and the Gekisai Shodan and Nidan Kata.

As mentioned in previous writeups, Itosu Anko Sensei created the Pinan Shodan kata for the Okinawan school system in the early 1900s as a simplified version of Kusanku, which would be easier for the schoolchildren to learn both in terms of kata length and the literal duration of the physical education classes. While there was initially meant to be only one Pinan kata, Itosu Sensei created four more in successive years to give returning students  more kata to practice. Funakoshi Sensei renamed the Pinan Kata to Heian, a change which carried over into schools which had ties to Shotokan. In addition, because Pinan/Heian Shodan was viewed as more complex than the Nidan kata, Funakoshi Sensei switched the teaching order, which is why the Heian Nidan kata is equivalent to the Pinan Shodan kata. Variations of the naming convention over the years across different styles is responsible for the difference in the Pinan / Heian kata names listed further below, which are all the same kata.

Steve Chun and Grant Kawasaki performing Pinan Shodan

Sean Roberts Sensei performing Heian Shodan

Ralph Sakauye Sensei perfoming Pinan Shodan

The Kyan Bo no Kata Sho and Sai no Kata Sho refer to the bo and sai kata taught by Kyan Shinei Sensei, which he had learned from his instructor Kina Shosei Sensei. These kata likely originated from Kina Sensei’s teacher, “Ufuchiku” Kanagusuku Sensei. Ufuchiku Sensei’s bo system is often considered to be a “northern” style due to the influence of Jigen Ryu, which was popular sword style amongst the Satsuma samurai. Evidence to support can be seen via the prevalent use of the “jodan kamae” (upper ready position) where the bo is held over head in a similar fashion as the sword.

Alan Yokota Sensei and John Oberle performing the Kyan Bo no Kata Sho

[DSC_26: Alan Yokota and John Oberle performing the Kyan Bo no Kata Sho]

The Gekisai kata were originally created in the attempt to have a simple, universal kata that the many different styles of karate on Okinawa could practice and perform together during exhibitions, study sessions, or just in general. The Gekisai kata were created by Miyagi Chojun of Goju Ryu. While the goal of having a universal kata shared by all karate styles on Okinawa was never quite realized, these kata remained in practice.

For these study sessions we ushered in a newer format. Every school still performed two rounds of their kata, but after the second round, the meanings / applications of the kata movements were explained and demonstrated with a partner move-by-move from start to finish. Following this round, we split into pairs and each school shared one of those meanings for everyone to practice with a partner.

Pat Nakata Sensei explains a riding block and arm break from the Pinan Shodan kata

Steve Chun demonstrates a strike from the Pinan Shodan kata

Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei demonstrates a thrust from the Heian Nidan kata

Robert Matsushita Sensei executing a block from Pinan Shodan

Herb Ishida Sensei demonstrates a block from Pinan Sono Ni

Alan Yokota Sensei executes a hook / disarm followed by a strike

Alan Lee Sensei demonstrates a strike from Gekisai Shodan

Charles Goodin Sensei explains a block and strike from Pinan Shodan

There was an interesting discussion on the development of karate “terminology” as we know it today, and how that in turn can affect our understanding of various techniques. Karate terminology isn’t just a matter of translation; it’s all Greek even to Japanese and Okinawans as well. I’ll never forget the time I visited the dojo of Yonamine Kousuke Sensei (Uechi Ryu) during a trip to Okinawa back in 2007. Yonamine Sensei was preparing some of his students for promotion testing, and he was quizzing them on specific karate terminology, in Japanese of course. It never occurred to me that karate terminology would be foreign even to native speakers, although now it seems to make sense.

Chibana Sensei often demonstrated techniques rather than using “standard terminology”. Upon being asked, he mentioned to Nakata Sensei that back in the old days, there was no real set terminology used in karate. Teaching was done in standard conversational Okinawan or Japanese, and most everything was demonstrated for proper visualization. It was only much later that “formalized” karate terminology emerged, largely due to the efforts of mainland Japanese to catalogue their techniques and stances. Yoko te (side of the hand) became shuto (knife or sword hand), yoko ashi (side of the foot) is now called sokuto (sword foot), and mae nagai dachi (forward long stance) is now referred to as zenkutsu-dachi (forward bent knee stance). In comparing some of the old kata to the modernized kata, it seems that when a move or stance in the old version of a kata did not fit neatly into the confines of the new terminology, then that move or stance was modified.

One of the more evident examples of terminology affecting understanding is the distinction between what are now called yoko geri and mae geri. Geri (keri) means “kick”, while yoko means “side” and mae means “front”. Therefore yoko geri is taken literally to mean “side kick” in the sense of a kick towards the side, while mae geri refers to a  “front kick” in the sense of a kick towards the front. 

Originally, yoko geri was called “yoko ashi yoko geri,” which breaks out to: yoko ashi (side of the foot) yoko geri (side kick). Simply put, a kick to the side using the side of your foot. Over time, the term was shortened to “yoko geri.” Mae geri on the other hand used to be called “tsuma saki mae geri”, which breaks out to: tsuma (toe) saki (tip) mae geri (front kick). In other words, a toe kick to the front. This too was shortened simply to “mae geri.” These abbreviations became so ingrained that soon, kicks using the side of the foot were only done to the side and toe kicks were only done to the front.

However, in some original Shorin Ryu kata such as Pinan Yondan or the two Kusanku, there is a kick that was originally called “tsuma saki yoko geri”, or in other words, a toe kick towards the side (with the body still facing forward). Using modern terminology, one would view this kick as a mix between mae geri and yoko geri. Some schools focused more on the “toe kick” aspect and altered the move so the performer turns their body fully towards the side to execute their mae geri (with a toe kick). Others focused more on the “to the side” portion and instead performed a yoko geri (hitting with the side of their foot) while still keeping their body oriented forwards. In both cases, there was a modification to the original movement and meaning, which again was having your body oriented forwards, but kicking with your toe towards your side.

To me, this goes to show that karate terms must always be specific and demonstrated fully for students to understand. Thinking about it, I suppose this would apply even to our kenkyukai study sessions, where many different schools gather together to share their techniques with one another. Sometimes it is useful to remember that our semantics can make our karate terminology a foreign language, even to other other karate schools!

Once we finished, we all stayed afterwards to talk story and enjoy refreshments. On 12 Aug these were provided by Steve Chun (C.Q. Yee Hop Co./Commercial Enterprises), Grant Kawasaki (Hanapa’a Sushi), Lee Sensei, Nakasone Sensei, Ishii-Chang Sensei, Matsushita Sensei, Loma Lopes, Nakata Sensei, and Yokota Sensei.

After our 14 Oct, we had a birthday celebration for Nakata Sensei, which Goodin Sensei helped to organize. Ishii-Chang Sensei outdid herself with a delicious and organic birthday cake. She claims to very rarely bake cakes... but if that’s true, then what a shame! We had a veritable feast, with additional refreshments provided by Steve Chun (C.Q. Yee Hop Co./Commercial Enterprises), Grant Kawasaki (Hanapa’a Sushi), Goodin Sensei, Hamakawa Sensei, Harada Sensei, Hiramatsu Sensei, Lee Sensei, Nakata Sensei, Roberts Sensei, Shimabukuro Sensei, Yokota Sensei, and Loma Lopes. Thank you everyone!

Performing the kata on 12 Aug (in order):

• Pinan Shodan - OSKA - Steve Chun, Grant Kawasaki
• Heian Shodan - Minakami Dojo - Sean Roberts Sensei 
• Heian Nidan - Island Ki Dojo - Taylour Chang, Frank Lopes, and Loma Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2 / Explanation)
• Pinan Nidan - International Karate League - Robert Matsushita Sensei (representing Walter Nishioka Sensei) and M.J. Matsushita
• Pinan Shodan - Hikari Dojo - Charles Goodin Sensei
• Pinan Shodan - Kenshukan Karate Kobudo Association - Ralph Sakauye Sensei(representing James Miyaji Sensei) 
• Pinan Sono Ni - Kyokushin Karate - Herb Ishida Sensei, Dean Harada Sensei 
• Kyan Bo no Kata Sho - Ryukyu Kobudo - Alan Yokota Sensei, John Oberle 
• Gekisai Shodan - Senbukan Dojo - Alan Lee Sensei, Kyle Nakasone Sensei

Observing:

James Miyaji Sensei

Rodney Shimabukuro Sensei

Carl and Clyde Kinoshita

Tommy Terayama

Special thanks to Clyde and Carl Kinoshita for their photography during the 12 Aug session.

Performing the kata on 14 Oct (in order):

• Pinan Nidan and Pinan Yondan - OSKA - Alan Yokota Sensei, Steve Chun, John Oberle
• Heian Nidan and Heian Yondan - Minakami Dojo - Sean Roberts Sensei 
• Heian Shodan and Heian Yondan - Island Ki Dojo - Frank Lopes and Loma Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2 / Explanation)
• Pinan Shodan and Pinan Yondan - International Karate League - Craig Hamakawa Sensei and Gary Hiramatsu Sensei (representing Walter Nishioka Sensei)
• Pinan Nidan and Pinan Yondan - Hikari Dojo - Charles Goodin Sensei
• Pinan Shodan and Pinan Yondan - Kenshukan Karate Kobudo Association - Ralph Sakauye and Shawna Carino Sensei (representing James Miyaji Sensei) 
• Pinan Sono Ichi and Pinan Sono Yon - Kyokushin Karate - Dean Harada Sensei 
• Kyan Sai no Kata Sho - Ryukyu Kobudo - Alan Yokota Sensei, John Oberle 
• Gekisai Nidan - Senbukan Dojo - Alan Lee Sensei, Ryan Okata

Observing:

Rodney Shimabukuro Sensei

Stephen Lodge Sensei

Robin Sagadraca

Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai: 10 June 2012

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

Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai Session: April 15, 2012

Most people remember April 15th as tax day, but for the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai, it was when we held our latest training session. The kata we studied were Seisan/Seishan/Hangetsu kata, Naihanchi/Tekki Sandan, and Anan.

Starting off with a little bit of karate history, the Seisan kata, also referred to as Seishan when using a more Japanese pronunciation, was introduced to Okinawa via Matsumura Sokon of Shuri. Despite this, it is considered to be a Naha-te kata, since it was originally taught in China and brought back to Okinawa. The fact that it is a “number” kata, literally meaning “13”, also lends credence to this idea, as that is a common indicator it was imported from China. This being said, three main variants appeared over the years, reflective of overall themes in Okinawan karate. The Shuri version was taught by Itosu while the Tomari version was taught by Chotoku Kyan, with both having learned Seisan from Matsumura Sokon.  The Naha version was taught by Arakaki Seisho, who most likely directly imported Seisan from China at a later date than Matsumura. Gichin Funakoshi changed the name to Hangetsu (Half Moon) for Shotokan.

All three of the Naihanchi kata (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan) were created by Tudi Sakugawa. Some believe it was actually Itosu Anko who created Naihanchi Sandan, but according to Chibana Sensei, Itosu emphasized that all three Naihanchi kata should never be altered because they were created by a master as skilled as Tudi Sakugawa. Sakugawa created these kata using techniques learned while training in Peking (Beijing) in northern China. This is in contrast to many other Okinawan karate pioneers, who primarily studied in southern China, often in the Fuzhou area of Fukien (Fujian). The main focus of this kata is developing strong and powerful basics. These kata were renamed to Tekki  (Iron Horse) by Gichin Funakoshi. As an interesting note, Kyokushin refers to them as Naihanchi, but use “Sono Ichi/Ni/San” rather that “Shodan/Nidan/Sandan”. “Sono” is a Japanese counter word that is roughly equivalent to “volume”, as different volumes of books, so they have Naihanchi Volumes 1-3.

The Anan kata comes from Naha-te Ryuei Ryu, which was the Nakaima family style only introduced to the public in the early 1970s. The version that Roberts Sensei performed was the Shito Ryu Hayashi-ha version, which they had added to their curriculum at some point after Ryuei Ryu became public. Like many karate kata, the name itself has no known meaning.

During the portion where the different schools explained a movement or set of movements and the fighting application, I noticed there seemed to be a common Naha-te theme in the Seisan kata of hitting an attacking arm and then a smooth transition to grabbing and pulling off-balance, as demonstrated in the meanings by Lemus and Nakata Sensei, rather than just trying to grab an attack mid-air. In addition, a lot of the other schools demonstrated the response to a reverse bear hug, which involved dropping the body weight and easily breaking the grip by bringing the arms forward. This effectively both raises the level of and separates the opponent’s arms without having to sacrifice a strong biomechanical position yourself. An even simpler response is just to drop weight and strike the opponent’s groin, which works even if the lock is much lower on the body.

A technical word of advice was given on the knee kick, which appeared in one of the meanings that was demonstrated. In order to effectively generate the greatest amount of force into the opponent, it is important to bring the opponent’s body down fairly low. When they are not brought down low enough, you will almost always find your grounded leg start to lift up or your striking leg having to reach out past your optimal power generation range in order to strike.

After the session ended, refreshments were provided by Steve Chun (C.Q. Yee Hop Co./Commercial Enterprises), Grant Kawasaki (Hanapa’a Sushi), Sasano Sensei, Ishii-Chang Sensei, Loma Lopes, Nakata Sensei, and Alan Yokota. It is always nice talking story and catching up on how everyone is doing! 

Performing the Kata (in order):

• Seisan - Ryukyu Kobudo - Pat Nakata Sensei, Alan Yokota, Roy Rivera, John Oberle
• Hangetsu - Island Ki Dojo - Taylour Chang and Frank Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2)
• Seisan - Kenshukan Karate Kobudo Association - Ralph Sakauye and Shawna Carino (representing James Miyaji Sensei)
• Seishan - International Karate League - Craig Hamakawa (with participation from Gary Hiramatsu Sensei, representing Walter Nishioka Sensei, and Robert Matsushita)
• Seisan - Zentokukai - Angel Lemus Sensei, Judy Lemus Sensei, and Rob Toonen
• Naihanchi Sandan - OSKA - Pat Nakata Sensei, Alan Yokota, Steve Chun, Grant Kawasaki, and John Oberle
• Tekki Sandan - Aikenkai - George Sasano Sensei
• Naihanchi Sono San - Kyokushin Karate - Herb Ishida Sensei and Dean Harada Sensei
• Naihanchi Sandan - Dexter Chun (representing Charles Goodin Sensei)
• Anan - Minakami Dojo - Sean Roberts Sensei

Observing:

Carl and Clyde Kinoshita

Loma Lopes (Frank Lopes’s wife)

Tommy Terayama

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Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai: February Session

After a couple of February Sundays that first played host to the Super Bowl and the OSKA Shinnenkai, the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai met once more on February 19, 2012. On the docket was the Seienchin/Seiunchin/Seiyunchin kata, the Kihon kata, Wankan/Okan/Matsukage, Kojo no Sai, and Wanchin.

Performing the Seienchin/Seiunchin/Seiyunchin kata were Kyokushin Karate, Senbukan Dojo, and Minakami Dojo, respectively. This kata is generally believed to have been passed down by Kanryo Higaonna who learned it while in China. There is also another version in the style of Ryueiryu, as founder Nakaima Kenri had also trained in China even earlier, as he was nearly fifty years older. Like most kata, the name’s meaning is lost in history, as it was passed down orally or written down in katakana without the use of Chinese characters.

Next up were the three Kihon Kata by OSKA. Chibana Chosin Sensei formulated these kata, which contain basic but powerful fighting sequences.

Following this, the schools performing Wankan/Okan/Matsukage were Island Ki, Hikari Dojo, International Karate League, Kenshukan, and Aikenkai. While Wankan is sometimes rendered as “King’s Crown”, the use of meaning derived from Chinese characters was something added retroactively, as the name had been passed down orally or written in katakana.

Rounding out the kata portion was Ryukyu Kobudo performing Kojo no Sai and Zentokukai performing Wanchin. Kojo no Sai is considered the oldest sai kata in Okinawa, having been passed down by the Kojo family. Wanchin is a kata created by Zenryo Shimbakuro Sensei for his dojo’s grand opening in 1962, and the name was derived from a combination of Wansu and Chinto.

After each school performed their kata twice and answered questions regarding the meanings of various movements after the second round, everyone partnered up to practice techniques from the kata as presented by each school. Indicative of their respective fighting methodologies, they ranged from stepping off-line to avoid an attack, combination strikes, grappling and catching techniques, to walking in directly to attack an opponent.

After the conclusion, refreshments were provided by Lee Sensei, Nakasone Sensei, Ishii-Chang Sensei, Nakata Sensei, Steve Chun (C.Q. Yee Hop Co./Commercial Enterprises) and Grant Kawasaki (Hanapa’a Sushi) and everyone enjoyed themselves talking story.

Performing the Kata (in order):
Seienchin - Kyokushin Karate - Dean Harada Sensei (representing Herbert Ishida Sensei)
Seiunchin - Senbukan Dojo - Alan Lee Sensei and Kyle Nakasone Sensei
Seiyunchin - Minakami Dojo - Sean Roberts Sensei
Kihon Kata Shodan, Nidan, Sandan - OSKA - Alan Yokota, Steve Chun, Grant Kawasaki, John Oberle
Wankan - Island Ki Dojo - Taylour Chang and Frank Lopes (Round 1) and Hisae Ishii-Chang Sensei (Round 2)
Wankan (Okan) - Hikari Dojo - Charles Goodin Sensei
Wankan / Matsukage - International Karate League - Gary Hiramatsu Sensei (representing Walter Nishioka Sensei)
Wankan - Kenshukan Karate Kobudo Association - Shawna Carino (representing James Miyagi Sensei)
Wankan - Aikenkai - George Sasano Sensei
Kojo no Sai - Ryukyu Kobudo - Alan Yokota (representing Fumio Nagaishi Sensei), Roy Rivera, John Oberle
Wanchin - Zentokukai - Angel Lemus Sensei, Judy Lemus, Ruth Gates, and Rob Toonen

Observing:
Walter Nishioka Sensei
James Miyaji Sensei
Robin Sagadraca


Technorati Tags: karate Martial Arts martial-arts Self Defense fighting personal combat kata traditional karate Shorin Ryu Okinawan karate martial arts Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai