This is not a complete list.
The Principles behind applying Seisan Kata’s Opening Section
1. Kata Technique Application Analysis
The Opening of Seisan Kata – version Bushi No Te Isshinryu
Steps of the first row forward as a description of the movement.
0. Rei and step to open
0.1. Attention
0.2. Rei
0.3. Hide Right Hand behind Left hand and Close Down
0.4. Cross Arms right arm on top
0.5. Right Foot Step to Right
0.6. Double descending block
1. LFF into left front stance
1.1. Cross Hands right hand on top and left hand underneath
1.2. Left Side Block with Right Side Chamber
1.3. Right Reverse Punch with Left Side Chamber
2. RFF into right front stance
2.1. Left Reverse Punch with right Side Chamber
3. LFF into left front stance
3.1 Right Reverse Punch with Left Side Chamber
4. Pull the right hand ½ way back to chamber
4.1 Left foot steps forward and the back foot slides forward with it to form LFF Seisan stance
4.2 Double Rising High Blocks
The definition of a kata technique is not restricted by anything except for your training or your instructor. A kata movement for application can be defined in any manner.
Using the above Seisan listing the opening technique may be defined many ways:
1 to 1.1
1 to 1.2
1 to 1.3
1 to 2
1 to 2.1
1 to 3
1 to 3.1
Though there are other possibilities beginning with the opening rei, those choices are outside of this discussion.
2. Crossing Hands
Tactical use of crossing the hands before a blocking technique.
3. Interior Line of Defense/Exterior Line of Defense
Exterior Line of Defense – you move outside of the attack
Interior Line of Defense – you move inside of the attack
4. Range of attacks – striking and accompanying movement
Lead strikes
Reverse strikes
Uppercut strikes
1-2 strikes
Boxing striking
Kicking
Grabbing attacks
Grab and strike attacks
Grab and kick attacks
Tackling Attacks
5. Replacement Stepping
Executing the Crescent step when the moving leg moves alongside the other leg it then stops and the other leg steps away, leaving you in the desired LFF Front Stance, but you’ve moved away from the attacker. One use is to respond to a faster attack than expected. Another use is to shift away from the centerline of the attack, placing you outside of the attacker’s focus and at an optimal angle for return counter attack.
6. Chambering/Slicing Hand
Use of the chambering hand to 1) grab and pull the attacker forward 2) a slicing attack to the attacker 3) a slicing block against the attacker’s other striking arm in a 1-2 attack 4) protection to the lower abdominal area from attack 5) a rear elbow strike
7. 20 Degree Shift
The optimal angle to enter an attack.
Side Slipping
Replacement Stepping
8. Nature of the Outside Block
Side Block/Parry
Side Block/Suck
Side Block/Press
Side Strike
Side Descending Elbow
9. Method of Striking
Vertical reverse flat strike
Vertical reverse knuckle strike
10. Where to Strike Interior Line of Defense against a Right Strike Opponents Solar Plexus Opponents Face Opponents Left External Oblique Exterior Line of Defense against a Left Strike Opponents lower side below the ribs Opponents side ribs Opponents head below the ear Opponents thigh, striking directly into the bone.
11. Angle of Striking
11 o’clock
12 o’clock
01 o’clock
12. Speed of technique execution - Exactly the same as performing the kata.
13. Control of the “O” – the point to attack an attacking limb
14. Principle of Fractal Analysis
Fractal analysis is a term I borrowed from a BaGua-zhang discussion that I like because I feel it really describes what Harrill Sensei was doing. Fractals are a mathematical study where you bore down into smaller components of a process, and then deeper still, still yielding new study.
15. The Unlocking Principle
In its simplest statement, look at a technique from a right attack, from a left attack, while turning, or from rear entry. The technique in the kata, is not limited to what appears before you as for its application potential.
16. Performing the kata without stepping as if your back is against the wall.
Use of the Annaku pivot
1. Makiwara
Decades of correct striking practice to forge the fist to deliver knockdown power with each strike.
2. Technique additions Depending on the situation, there are often other endings that provide great effect too. There are no rules in application potential that say you cannot use the application to its fullness and then add something on for greater effect, obtaining synergy from the combination of techniques.
Cross kick to disrupt inward stepping
3. Crescent Stepping
Energy Compression and Explosive Release
4. Knee Release
A component of movement is also used to help the center drop in coordination of technique for increased power.
5. Exhalation Breathing/Inhalation Breathing
Pairing the correct breathing with technique execution. i.e. inhale with sucking blocks and exhale with pressing blocks.
6. Jing Do Striking (Short Range Striking in ‘blocking’)
Side blocks roll into forward palm strikes
7. Technique additions
Shiroma Shimpan – Genwa Nakasone’s ‘Karate Do Taikan’ 1938
Side blocks roll into lead hand head strikes
Rising Thumb Strike
Reverse punch shift into rising thumb strikes
Multiple Striking
Reverse punch shifts into backfist strikes
Layered Striking
Reverse punch shifts into vertical palm strike
8. Striking Areas
Solar Plexus
Throat
Eye
Shoulder Tip
Groin
Inside Hip
9. Take the Next Step
Continue the technique into the following stepping movement of the kata. Essentially a sweeping takedown.
10. Stepping
Stepping as Stomp
Stepping as Kick
Stepping as Sweep
10. Grabbing inherent in blocking technique and inherent in blocking
Grabbing limbs
Grabbing throat
Grabbing wrists
Grabbing clothing
11. Body Alignment Mechanics
Use of correct body alignment to increase all technique effectiveness.
Hi, Sensei: What would really help in posts like this is if you could add in say youtube clips to demonstrate some of what your saying.
ReplyDeleteReally cool if you did :-)