I share some thoughts on Sanchin application potential?" Part 1

Sure, the following is about 5 or 6 years old, and I've shared it several places before. While an Isshinryu stylist I've tried to genialize this across several Sanchin practices, as I wasn't addressing just an Isshinryu audience.

It doesn't necessarily represent my current studies, but I think its a fair beginning.

I've offered this any number of times and enjoy doing so because only the most possessed of you will take the time to actually read and try to use it, and if you do so you're welcome to my poor thoughts.

Victor Smith

bushi no te isshinryu

derry nh usa

 

Beginning Sanchin Application Analysis

First do we all have a common reference, such as Morio Higaonna's Traditional Karatedo 2 with Sanchin in it. It would make for easier reference if we can do this.

Regarding Ueichi Sanchin, it is performed open handed, and does not use dynamic tension. I assume it is closer to the original Higaonna used to derive his closed fist Sanchin from.

I think a fun place to start would be Myiagi Sanchin (the aforementioned Higaonna text) PAGE 39 picture 8 as the text says " from musubi dachi, bending the knees slightly, use suri ashi to slowly slide the right foot forward in an inward arc into right sanchin dachi; at the same time bring both arms up in front of the chest, left arm over right…"

This is just before performing the morote chudan yoko uke (the double side blocks).

To offer my beginning, lets start on the beginning movement. 

[By personal preference, I'm not into Rei breakdown.]

------------------------------ Sanchin Kata

"Slide the Right Foot Forward in an inward arch into right Sanchin Dachi, at the same time bring both arms up in front of the chest" - precursor to the following morote chudan yoku uke.

I would add left arm out, right crossed on top.

---------- -------

The first thing this reminds me of is the use of the movement as a stop hit. Sherman Harrill has a variation of this he's used on me.

As I see it, uke's coming out to punch me with his right hand (or to grab me with his right hand).

I step forward with my right and used the crossed hands to strike straight into his solar plexus as he's moving with my left. The crossing right can also strike into the chest at the same time (a double hit).

The throat can also be a target of opportunity. Especially used in some Aikido as an Atemi strike into the throat. I cite Mitsugi Saotome's "The Principles of Aikido" page 56 - 57. Shomenuchi irimi with atemi to the throat, and with atemi to the solar plexus. Great example. BTW works great, too.

Second opportunity, (from Harrill Sherman sensei), the left-hand strikes into the lower right abdomen, the same time the right strikes across the body into the side of the attacker's right forearm. (A different double strike) This is an opening movement for the following technique from the kata (Sanchin or Seisan).

Interesting strike. The lower abdomen of the punching arm is often very unprepared for a counter strike, as the body is preparing to deliver its own strike.

This ties into a thought of Rothrock Ernest (Faan Tzi Ying Jow Pai) that the reason the Chinese chamber their punches on the side of the body is to protect the lower abdomen area. So it's interesting to find a reason to strike there.

Which ties into another story from Trevor Leggett's "Zen and the Ways", where a kenjutsu school had 3 of their seniors massacred one night, with single knife thrusts into the same area. But that's not germane to this topic. Just a plug for a fantastic book, if you can ever find a copy.

Sanchin 2nd Movement

After we have stepped out with the right foot and have brought both arms up in front of the chest, we execute Morote Chudan Yoku Uke (Double Outer Middle Blocks).

Among the application opportunities are:

Percussive Defense

Grappling counters from the front 

1. Uke LFF Lft Grab 

You turn 20 degrees left. The Left outer middle block turns the attackers grabbing arm over while The right middle block is used as a strike to the attackers left arm triceps.

2. Uke RFF Rt Grab

You turn 20 degrees left. The Left outer middle block turns the attackers grabbing arm over while the right middle block is used to strike into the side of the attackers neck or chest.

3. Uke RFF Cross hand grab of your right hand

Defense as in 2.

4. Uke RFF Double hand grab of both hands.

Defense as in 1.

Percussive Offense

5. Attacking to the opponents back/spine from behind with the back knuckle strikes.

6. Attacking to the opponents back/spine from behind or the side with the elbow strikes in the double outer blocke

Takedown counters from the front

7. Uke LFF Left Punch

You turn in 20 degrees to the left as your left outer block deflects the strike, your right foot hooks behind their left foot and at the same time your right arm strikes up under their punching left arm into their chest (upper pectorial area). The left deflection and the right upper body strike combine with the trapping of their foot to spin them down.

8. Uke RFF Right Punch

Your turn in 20 degrees to the left as your left outer block deflects the strike, your right foot hooks behind their right foot and at the same time your right arm strikes up under their punching right arm into their upper back just behind the armpit area. The left deflection and the right upper back strike combine with the trapping of their foot to spin them down.

Important to note, the double outer blocks create a plane of force between them to increase the power of both strikes. The simultaneous timing becomes very important to generate full power into these strikes. When the trapping of the opponent's foot is used with the blocks, the opponents center of gravity is overtaken with your own to spin them down off balance.