Just
in case you are curious, No I never handed this list to a new black belt for
them to study. This represented a part of their study over their first two
years, to then move on to other random Kata Application studies and eventually
to Kata Application Realized for each movement.
This
represents the logic behind my teachings. It is not a complete list by any
means for the first section of Seisan Kata.
I
was not interested in others bunkai per sea. This goes more into the principles
behind what I taught.
First Post a word from our sponsor
I thought it might be useful to try and show all the application
potential I
find and teach for Seisan Kata’s opening section, as an
expansion of earlier
efforts. Among the many reasons my son is beginning
this study,I’d also like to
record this for my instructors future efforts, and I’d like to
share my thoughts
with my friends, too.
But starting to define them I both realized how much was there,
almost an
unlimited number of potential to explore, and if I could
document them I also
realized nobody would ever be able to use them.
Then I remembered words from Harrill Sensei, “The kata
applications I share
aren’t important, it’s the principles underneath them which are
important.”
Then it came to me, I should listen to Sherm’s words. So instead
of focusing on
describing all of the potential applications I can do, I’m going
to focus on the
principles underneath my application study and accompany them
with some
examples. In turn they are where I yield my application study.
It also strikes me that trying to post everything I see at one
time will lead to a babble complex, so I’m going to do this one piece at a
time, and hope it leads to questions, thoughts, disagreement and perhaps even
agreement on occasion.
To frame this series, I will offer this post.
Victor
Application Potential instead of Bunkai
I
remember well a time when kata was just kata, almost everywhere, and a desire
to
see if they were something else was a long, hard journey of self
study. In
time
other study began to point out interesting answers used by other systems,
but
I always returned to my own belief the kata technique ought to be used to
their
full potential just as they stand.
Along
that path a word came into public usage. The word was ‘Bunkai’, and the
most
common usage was this was how the instructor would teach the applications
of
the kata technique, their ‘bunkai’.
Words
take a life of their own. The use of ‘bunkai’ came from the
developing
Japanese
forms of karate. It is a specialized term within some of that
community,
not a universal understanding for all Japanese. Outside of the
martial
arts community that used it the average Japanese would use the
term as
the
car mechanic would bunkai the car, take it apart, to locate the problem.
Really
a very different use of the word, where in karate perhaps the kata is
bunkai’d
to explain the applications.
But
the use of ‘bunkai’ to explain how kata application was taught was not
enough.
Other additional terms such as ‘oya bunkai’ arose to explain the
alternate
applications, etc. to develop a more technical explanation of what was
being
taught. So things became more structured as abstraction to discuss the
actual
events, and categorize them.
I
spent quite a while on a different sort of ‘bunkai’ one more like the concept
of
hidden hand ‘kakushite’ in a tradition where the dan studied thousands of
applications
tied into kata sections similar to mnemonic devices to remember and
teach
them. But this ‘bunkai‘ did not use the kata techniques directly. Yet did
accurately
describe another abstraction, or map to lay on top of the process of
developing
a students applications.
I
am not comfortable with the use of ‘bunkai’ to really understand karate.
Having
an instructor define answers is fine, and if that’s all one chooses to do
that
is fine too. But I look to a freer hand.
On Okinawa,
pre 1900 there was extremely little technical vocabulary to define
karate.
There was no ‘bunkai’ you just experienced, first hand, your
instructor’s
answers, and for a wide variety of reasons, it is reported many
instructors
rarely taught application use until very long in the arts study. And
I’m
sure there are those who used it very early for the student too. Just
because
there are stories, one should never assume those stories explain the
full
picture.
Dan
Smith (Seibukan) just made the observation on the cyberdojo, from a question
about
the use of the term ‘kakushite’ that I feel ties into this
topic. “The
Okinawans
try not to emphasis specific applications as it limits the possible
responses
or utilization of techniques. Tijikun means demonstrating what the
hand
is doing and is teaching method utilized by Okinawans to emphasize the
correctness
of technique rather than the specific application.”
Regardless
of what anyone else does or taught, when we perform kata all of its
techniques
represent a potential that any of us ought to be able to tap into.
This
Application Potential does not have limits drawn around it. If you
work
and
find a method of using the technique that you were not shown and in turn you
can
successfully drop an opponent with it, there is no right or wrong answer.
There
is simply potential realized.
When
I began to look at kata technique this is what struck me, how can it
actually
be used, and my own studies began to find out what did work. Of course
there
are layers to this study, and in turn the more I looked the more I was
finding.
Then
serendipity let me experience Harrill Sensei, and an entire universe beyond
my
initial understanding was there. For he would take a movement sequence (as he
defined
it) and explore it’s potential, in greater and greater depth, literally
hours
and hours on one movement.
Though
not his student, he pointed in large directions that I continue to follow
with
my own efforts as well as what he shared.
But
application potential is not the end, it is but a beginning step, with
infinite
answers. After studying the potential, then the work comes learning how
to
sell that potential against stronger and stronger attacks, how to learn how
to
choose between the potential answers for a best situational response, and
acceptance
not to limit the answers to keep one un-readable by an opponent,
forever.
*
* * *
My
first reason for taking this route is to try and develop a clear path in this
exploration as we develop a stronger new Dan development
program. I’m working with my son in particular at this time. But I
think the stronger we can make this will help my students train their students
in the future too, by giving them a strong foundation behind any techniques
application potential, shortening they way into advancing, far more interesting
studies.
I
also do not consider the study of application potential but one step on the
way. After each is how to you build the confidence, skill and presence to
actually use them.
There
are no short paths we can follow,
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.2 – The Kata Section Defined
When I think of Isshinryu in my soul, it is where I began on the
first day. Yes I did begin with the study of the charts, but I also began with
the study of Seisan Kata.
Seisan Kata’s opening section links so many different topics.
Depending on how you received the charts, it’s potential is there. You can find
its soul within Sanchin and within SunNuSu. Variations on a core theme, a core
Seisan-ness.
And in total, Almost variations within the Seisan Theme (Tou’on
Ryu, Goju Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Ueichi Ryu and on) share some similarity in the
opening section.
But the potential is not universal. A school nearby does a
variation of the Seibukan Seisan. Their use of stepping out in a block in
horse stance and then shifting into their front stance with the punch is not
one I personally believe in, and in turn many of the Isshinryu potentials are
not there, replaced by other ones.
So limiting myself to Isshinryu, realizing there are variations
on the theme, still feel many will understand these section definitions, for
the kata.
AS I perform Seisan the section I am looking at would begin:
1. Cross Hands (right hand on top)
2. Left Foot Forward Left Side
block as Right Hand Chambers
3. Right Reverse punch as Left
Hand Chambers
4. Right Foot Forward Left Reverse
punch as Right Hand Chambers
5. Left Foot Forward Right Reverse
punch as Left Hand Chambers
I realize some may not cross the hands (chambering the right
hand and just stepping forward with a left outside block) which may change some
of your options.
Others may follow the reverse punch with an outside block with
the same hand, or just emphasize the punching hand’s retraction after the
strike so much it is almost identical with a block.
I suspect the most common explanation for the first side block
and reverse punch is the attacker is punching with their right hand, you step
forward, block/parry the punch aside and punch them in their solar plexus.
(Which by the way is one of the variations I will be discussing, as will its
obvious follow-up, continue to step forward and keep striking (3 times) into
the attacker).
But Shimabuku Sensei saw a different answer (from the Harrill
Sensei notes on the self defense techniques in the Pleasant Isshinryu files
section from 2002) 1.a. Left hand holds right wrist. From Seisan, pull the hand
back to the release position and strike to the solar plexus.
And eventually I’ll be discussing that too.
So that’s where I’m coming from.
Victor
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.3 – Some Basic Principles Underlying the Discussion Defined
I think it’s a good idea to frame several tools I’m going to be
using in this discussion up front. If this boors you feel free to skip reading
the rest.
But as I continue along my way, they’re going to be referenced
and more principles specific to certain types of applications, will be added.
On conclusion I think I’ll wrap all the principles behind the
techniques together in an appendix.
Let’s see if Sherm knows what he was talking about (and I’m
sincerely betting he does).
1. Kata I’m defining as a relatively
fixed tool (hey I’m polite) develop certain energy potential, and
application potential tries to use as much of that energy as possible, as
exactly as possible, for greatest results.
2. A technique application may be Offensive in nature,
Defensive in nature, or Counter Offensive. But as in combat all plans are
thrown aside when the enemy is joined (borrowed that line of course from many
movies – last seen in Tom Cruise’s Last Samuari) My definitions of course are
just an arbitrary analysis of potential.
Offensive – when I choose to use a sequence to directly attack
the opponent (frequently from the side or the rear).
Defensive – They strike first and I defend against their attack
to stop it.
Counter-Offensive – They’ve attacked and I survive and
counter-attack. The simplest answer is I’ve been stuck in their grab and yank
and I respond.
3. The manner of Stepping is not defined by the kata.
The concept of application potential does not follow 100% kata
technique, but allows a bit of warp to consider all the techniques potential.
Most times I start with identical stepping as in the kata, but at times when I
find the shape of an attack does not make it harmonious I’ll step differently.
Principles behind those choices will come at that time.
4. The manner of Stepping is either Straight or Curved.
Now there’s a line that should be included in the Code of Karate, IMO I
must be clear I’m a solid crescent step guy. That’s how I was trained to
execute the system, it’s how I teach the system (getting very heavy on my
students (advanced too) cases when they don’t use it), and I believe it
represents one of my core values behind Isshinryu energy development.
But being a rational individual I fully understand very similar
power potential (perhaps the same) exists with the straight style of stepping.
It’s just not what I do and if I go into my normal chant on stepping execution,
feel free to tune me out. Course I’m right <Grin>
5. Behind the crescent step. There are many types
of energy development in our body all of which combine in our execution. What I
really like about the crescent step is how we pull our lower body into our
centerline and then can explode from that centerline into our opponent,
increasing the energy of our strike.
The specific timing I strive for is 2/3rds of the step is
drawing into the centerline and 1/3rd of the step to explode out.
There are subsidiary benefits, such as allowing you to change
your mind ½ the way in your step and back up from the centerline using
replacement stepping, if the opponents coming in faster than you wish. (thanks
to Rich Kordel for suggesting that to me years ago). So you get to
compress some of your energy and explode it into your attacker, combining with
the other energies from your body.
6. Description Shorthand
I tend to use a short hand I developed long ago to write less.
RFF = Right Foot Forward
LFF = Left Foot Forward
RFB = Right Foot Back
LFB = Left Foot Back
RP = Right Punch
LP = Left Punch
And so forth.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.4.1 – Crossing Hands
Crossing Hands applications represent variances in the manner in
which the ‘X’ is formed for its application potential.
I expect many did not think I’d start here.
In fact I would not have started here but for the fact Sherman
Harrill began the first clinic I attended with this section of Seisan Kata.
But in this post I’m not beginning with what I understand of
Sherman’s answer. Instead an answer from my studies.
The situation – you have somebody on top of you, say
shouting in a crowded place and you read their eyes, and reddening face and
realize they’re ready to grab or strike you. Your hands are relatively
down at your sides, and your back is against the wall, bar or people behind you
so you can’t move forwards or backwards.
The response – You release you knees, allowing your
center to drop and your two fists strike up, forming the ‘X’, with the right
fist on top.
You strike with the vertical ridge of knuckles into the solar
plexus. In fact as your weight drops from the knee release, your fist strikes
up, slamming into their solar plexus with great power gives you an opening for
Plan B, C and/or D.
Principles involved:
Knee Release 1.a. – I owe Joe Swift to
getting my mind on this, he translated material on this from a book published
in Japan, and later released in English. I can’t remember the name right now,
though I know Len’s referenced it several times.
Essentially you cannot move unless you release your knees
continually. The knee release coupled with allowing the bodies weight to drop
into a technique allows that dropping weight to be released in other power,
such as a strike.
You can prove this readily. Take a partner (perhaps one you
don’t feel to friendly towards on that day) and try the rising crossed hands
strike into their solar plexus without releasing your knees. Then do the same
with the knee release and see which gives you a bigger bounce, and which causes
their eyes to bulge out more. Then form your own conclusions, not my word.
This is just one example, there are others we will be using
later. This is a principle with a lot to offer in application potential.
Principle of Alignment Theory – Here’s
another difficult one to explain. It’s easy to show in person and it can be
done with different description maps (words) to explain the same idea.
In this technique it’s pretty simple. When you cross the hands
your power increases (you an also prove this to yourself). You aren’t slamming
the lower left hand their tight, just rising, not necessarily supporting the
right. But as long as the left rises and touches the right it’s more powerful.
The simple reason for this is because when the wrists touch, the
other side of the body is drawn forward, keeping it in better alignment for
more power.
If the human body is not aligned correctly for technique (which
can vary depending on how the technique is being used for energy release) it is
less powerful.
If you are perfect, you can make the rising right hit the solar
plexus correctly and still get the bang for your buck, but when your hands
touch you won’t make a mistake, your entire body is engaged properly.
Oooops – Addendum
Cheng Man-Ch’ing’s - Advanced Tai Chi
Form Instructions.
As a practitioner of Yang Long Fist Tai Chi Chaun, at the forms
end there is a section called ‘Step up and Form Seven Stars’ that employs an
identical hand formation, and the two hands rise up to face height but passes
the solar plexus along the way.
Recently I was looking at Cheng Man-Ch’ing’s book and was struck
with his description of the application of this technique.
Page 95, “The two wrists intersect and support each other as
they attack the opponents solar plexus. This blow is extremely
devastating. Its victims re unlikely to escape serious danger. Those who
use it should not do so lightly.”
I’m not certain I would endorse his analysis of the medical
ramifications of the strike, but it can pack a wallop. Yes my son doesn’t like
me striking him this way, nor in many other ways either <G>.
This is the first of many other parallels I will try to show as
this technique analysis continues.
Notes – 9.6.2005
The rolling center (and the appropriate knee
release to help move the kyoshi, abdominal area, is necessary to use the full
body, and not just the upper body. When you parry right and down your center
shifts to the right focused on the parry. Then when you roll the left over to
the left and the right rolls up (in the ‘x’), your center rolls left. Then when
you roll your left arm up you roll your center over to the right to roll them
down. Caution do not roll the wrist, properly from the ‘left side block’
position that hand forms a hammer-fist to down the opponent.
When your back is against the wall
Sherman once said to really know how to sell a technique
practice with your back against the wall so you can’t move out of the way
(readily). With this application you really need to use your ongoing rolling
center to make this happen.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.4.2 – Crossing Hands – Tribute to Harrill Sensei
When I met Harrill Sensei for the first time, and it was when he
was covering maybe 150 applications a clinic, a very stiff pace, he explored a
great many different potentials within the Crossing Hands of Seisan Kata.
This section highlights some of the strongest lessons I learned
from his teachings.
His use of the crossing hands and the following side block and
reverse punch really shows how much he could look beyond the basic appearance
of a technique.
What he did was open up the act of the crossing hands by taking
its components, looking how different timing and entry into the cross hands
would yield different potential.
This crossing hands was practiced against a straight punch, but
I really think of it more as a grab defensive counter.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response - Staying in stance you roll your center
line to the left. As you do that, your left arm rolls across their arm, towards
your center and down. And with that movement your center line rolls back to the
right. This section has been a double rolling of the hips.
[Variable, I also like to do this by reaching out with my left
alongside their reaching arm, and then drawing it back as I roll their arm to
my centerline and down. This is using the arm as an earlier intercept and
allows you greater contact to control their limb incoming.]
As my left arm presses their arm down, my right arm now rolls in
and up, striking their arm just behind the elbow, forcing their arm to bend.
The ‘Cross’ is formed by the cross strike, as your right arm goes left
it crosses the plane of your left arm pressing in and down. The ‘X’ is formed
with their arm in-between, even if your two arms are not touching. As you’re
doing this
When their arm bends at the elbow, begin the act of chambering
your right, drawing your thumb back across their inner elbow, as you do that
your left arm rolls up underneath and behind their arm, to a side block type of
arm/elbow lock on their arm. Your right continues to chamber as normal.
You have also been rolling your centerline back to the left
during the ‘X’ and Side Block process. This centering of your body centerline
on the working aspect of a block/lock is another aspect of alignment theory, to
create a stronger technique with less ‘arm strength’ instead using the entire
body more efficiently.
At this point you press your left arm down across their arm to
the right, and your body centerline rolls back to the right. This forces them
down in an elbow lock.
You complete the technique with a reverse punch to the throat,
behind the ear, the neck at the carotid sinus, or other target of choice.
You can even use an add-on here, and instead of a straight punch
to the neck, add on a right hook punch into the tip of their shoulder for the
pain it offers.
This is a very useful locking or projection technique, depending
on angle of entry, and the manner in which the kata energy is expressed in the
execution. Just by making the lock and roll down more extreme, it becomes a
projection, throwing the individual on their head.
When they use their left -
But this does not end here, because of another principle, the
unlocking principle.
What if they grab at you with their left hand instead of their
right. You don’t have to root for a more specific technique, instead just apply
the technique the same way against their left grabbing arm.
You will discover it is a slightly different lock, more a bent
arm drag down, but it works just as effectively.
This rather unique category of karate technique usage makes me
thing of how the Chinese Arts contain Chin-Na, or locking techniques.
In fact I’ve been looking through my Chin-Na collection and I
don’t find this lock present, the most I can do is find the bent arm elbow
lock-down ending, but not the same entry. But the Chinese Chin-Na texts
point out they do not contain everything, just the more common locks.
While similar to Chin-Na there is a difference, most of the
chin-na I’ve seen (such as in Northern Eagle Claw) incorporate grabs with the
locks to make the pain more intense and the lock stronger.
This set of applications does not do this.
In general I approach use of locks the same way. Unless you’re
contesting against someone on a one to one basis, grabbing the arm you’re
trying to lock ties that hand up, and if you’re attacked by somebody else the
same time, that grabbing hand just can’t be released enough.
On the whole I teach to use the rolling center into the lock
entry and the pressure of arm against arm to work the opponent into the lock.
If another attacks, you just have to roll your pressure away from the lock to
free the arms up for the second opponent.
Instructors note – too often people feel more comfortable using
a grab. It sometimes takes considerable work to keep everyone on mission, but
the grab-less locks using your full body centering, and arm pressure to make
the lock work with correct practice.
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. [I’m not a mathematician and this is the closest I can wrap words around
a very interesting very, very complex mathematics study.]
What I see as fractal analysis is taking components of a kata
technique and using them as complete techniques itself. The deeper your bore,
the more useful material is uncovered.
The Unlocking Principle
I had worked out the theory behind the unlocking principle long
before I had met Harrill Sensei, and was using it in my own studies, but he
made it sing.
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.
The principle of the Add-on
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.
Where add-on’s are theoretically infinite, I am going to just
focus on a few of the more logical ones in my experience for this level of study.
Spiraling Energy
One way to look at this lock is that the left hand in spiraling
in during its movement till it completes the spiral by rolling the opponent
down.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.4.3 – Crossing Hands the Director’s Cut
Here we come to the end of looking at the use of the opening
crossing hands in Seisan Kata. But this isn’t the least, rather one of
the more important application potentials to study in the kata, the way I would
keep score (and I normally don’t weight anything better or worse than the
next).
The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.
This usage of Kata Seisan’s opening crossing hands and side
block then reverse punch also came from that first clinic I attended with
Harrill Sensei.
The situation – Your opponent strikes out with their
right hand.
Your response - As
their arm comes out, you step forward (for myself I normally chose to step
forward with my right foot. [Interior Line of Defense.] My right hand strikes
across my body into their arm, with a vertical ridge of knuckles. At the same
time my left vertical hand strikes into their right oblique muscle, several
inches below their right lower rib.
This simultaneous strike both deflects their arm and strikes
them at a point where they really are not ready to receive a strike. Their
focus is on their arm reaching out to touch you, not on receiving impact into a
sensitive area.
Ernie Rothrock tells me this is one of the reasons the Chinese
arts he studied chamber low, so the turning hand can be drawn back to protect
that area, the returning chamber in effect wedging an attack away while it is
being drawn back.
You can clearly see a relative comparison to Wansu kata
parry/strike technique in this application.
But
if really nailing someone when they’re not expecting it is enough a whole lot
of other choices are open.
Next
simultaneously chamber your right hand and perform an outside block with the
left. Then complete the section with a strike into their solar plexus.
But
we’re not finished with this by far.
The
principle of the Chambering Hand
I
think the thing that impressed me most about this technique was how the
chambering hand could become a slashing plane of force. With the chambering
hand you can:
Return the chambering hand as a slash across the ribs.
Return the chambering hand as a slash across the face.
Return the chambering hand as a returning slash to drive a 2nd punch
aside. This is where the attacker was performing a grab and punch.
When
this sequence is used with the above sequence, it literally becomes ‘Hit ‘em
once, hit ‘em twice and hit ‘em once again.’
I
can even see how you might want to make a punch miss just to hit them with a
really punishing return slice, if you really don’t like the opponent.
Now
we return to a friend, The return of the Unlocking Principle.
The
Attack -
Now the attacker steps forth with their left and strikes with their left hand.
The
Response – Perform
the identical defense against the left grab/strike as you would with the right.
You
strike across with your right as your left punch strikes into their left
oblique muscle. Then you simultaneously side block/parry with your left as your
right hand slices across their ribs as you chamber. Then you strike out with
your right hand. Where you strike of course is the issue.
There
are other ways to step and change the angle of this defense against arm
attacks, but more on them to come.
The
principle of the 100% Drop
When
you’re on the outside, and your striking hand is chambered, one way to drop
your opponent all the time is to take that hand and deliver a vertical strike
into their outside upper leg, striking into the bone.
This
cramps their leg up (charly horse time) and they fall.
It
is not the only option, but one that really works.
While
there are many other Seisan principles that can be inter-mixed with these
versions, we’ll let them be discussed as we move forward, rather than at this
moment.
In
fact this entire study will be self-reflexive. Many of the Seisan principles
can be intertwined at will.
Victor
Note
– far from done, I won’t be posting at this pace each day either.
Addendum –
One
of the reasons I like this application potential rests in the relentless striking
it represents.
Consider
a boxing style attack. Here you begin working the exterior lien of defense,
striking into their leading arm from the outside, and as you do so you’ve also
closed on them with the lower body strike. Follow that with the slashing
chambering hand and following strike.
In
fact when pressed there is an alternative answer to the reverse punch, you pull
the hand ½ the way back and then return the reverse strike, but release the
knees to drop your weight and increase the power of the shorter strike at the
same time.
You
can also and should practice this from side to side opening it on the left,
complete the sequence, and then open on the right, etc.
In
fact for Seisan 201.1 – Working the Applications, this is a prime weapon
against aggravated attack.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.5.1 – The Old Standby
The time has come to look at our likely original answer how to
apply Seisan kata’s opening. In fact as the oft quoted Harrill Sensei would say
when explaining one of his applications, “when push comes to shove I’d probably
just hit them.”
So let’s look at the basic Seisan Hit
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] You step out
with a left crescent step and use a left side block to deflect their strike.
Then chambering the left hand you strike them into their solar plexus with your
right hand.
And of course using the Unlocking Principle.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their left
hand.
Your response – [Exterior Line of Defense] You step out
with a left crescent step and use a left side block to deflect their strike.
Then chambering the left hand you strike them into the side of their ribs with
your right hand.
See how simple it is, just real Isshinryu. So now we can
go home and back to bed? Unfortunately, not!
There are an incredible number of variables that we need to
address to begin to understand the application potential of what I’ve
described.
So many answers in fact I’m going to only cover one set of them
now with other layers to come.
Both of these examples describe a rather straight line movement
into the attacker. We’re going to keep with that for now.
Variable No. 1 – Principle that Blocks can also Suck!
The beginning outside block I teach has the arm hinge across the
body, pivoting on the elbow, to deflect a strike aside. Talking as I
teach a common flaw often presents itself. If my mind is distracted I don’t
block fast enough and I get hit as I’m trying to demonstrate how to perform it
correctly. That doesn’t make the basic blocking principle bad, rather
demonstrates you have to perform it correctly. But it does highlight a real
issue if you don’t accelerate faster than the attack is being accelerated
towards you, there is a problem in the offing.
There are other ways to compensate for some of the structural
flaws within the hinging block [All techniques have structural flaws at some
point] and we’ll be looking at them in the next section.
But Harrill Sensei showed a different answer to us, one also
found in our Bando stick studies.
The outside block can be performed in a very different manner,
to have the left hand reach out and form the block, drawing the blocking
forearm back to finish the block (an inward side block instead of an outside
block. The arm ends in the same position, but the inward drawing motion,
besides forming a moving wall, helps draw the opponent in closer, where the
outside block just bounces their arm away often leaving their center in place.
By drawing them in, or sucking them in, it makes them closer to
strike into with your reverse punch.
So depending on how you block, will determine where they will be
located for you counter. There are strategic reasons for both sets of answers,
and it works for interior and exterior types of blocking.
Principle 2 – How to Step into Seisan
Even using the crescent step to explode into the block, there
are other basic stepping concerns that can be addressed.
For one thing you can use the crescent step to step on top of
their lead instep. This cements them to the ground and allows their more
immobile body to receive a strike more soundly because they cannot get away.
But the crescent step can also be used to hook the front leg
into a front leg press with their foot/leg between your lead foot and leg, to
create a press down.
Immobilizing the opponent always offers strong answers.
Principle No 3 – The manner of striking is either hard or
soft
For me this goes back to my beginning. Mr. Lewis used to
describe the Isshinryu strike as tightening on the instant of impact, and then
releasing immediately afterwards.
So leave it to Harrill Sensei to turn this into practice. The
best way I can express this was that he implied there were two sorts of
striking. The first sort the fist is compressed tightly throughout the strike.
The second sort, the hand is somewhat looser composed during the strike, but
the impact helps tighten the hand even further than it can do itself, and as
the hand releases after impact, that release helps it get out of dodge, and
creates an interesting secondary effect. That receding hand causes the
abdominal wall to snap out after compression. This creates a secondary shock
from the strike.
When Harrill Sensei would strike us in the abdomen this way you
would feel a rising shock into your throat.
Private Note - Harrill sensei told us he only practiced this
strike on Seisan’s Opening and SunNuSU’s opening.
I feel there is a sound tactical way to choose between the
strikes. If having to respond instantly, the compressed fist makes most sense.
You strike clean and hard.
If you have a moment of time to choose where to strike and the
abdomen is a good target choice, then the looser fist to compress on impact
makes sense too.
As I practice this Seisan Kata uses both striking techniques.
Principle No. 4 - 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.
The Interior Line of Defense against a Right Strike, offers
another possibility. You can strike it with the vertical hand canted to about 1
o’clock and have the strike pass straight through their body so they feel it in
their kidneys.
The other possibility is to strike into their Left External
Oblique and have the vertical hand canted to about 11 o’clock. This strike
causes the opponent to bend forward. In fact if you combine this with the
sucking block, the block draws them forward, the strike to the left external
oblique canted to 11 o’clock, causes them to draw forward further, and then you
can pop them with your left.
There are certainly other areas to strike, but I think this is a
good sampling for this time.
Principle No. 5 – How to Strike
Continuing the application analysis, you can strike with the two
vertical knuckles flat fist, or you can strike with the two vertical knuckles
striking in on an angle so you are using the vertical ridge of knuckles.
Principle No. 6 – The Add-on
Previously mentioning there are no real limits to what a kata
technique application potential can be, one of the nice things you can do to a
technique, is add something else on, the Add-on.
In my book, one of the nicest add-on’s to the reverse punch is a
following vertical thumb strike underneath the tip of the opponents jaw,
especially if you also stepped on their instep as you moved into them.
In fact after the reverse punch a whole series of thumb strikes
make sense. Depending on how you slingshot off, you can strike either side of
their neck with a rolling thumb strike (clockwise (as in a thumb hook) and
counter-clockwise (as a reverse ridgehand strike)).
At the other range of add-on’s I like here came from some
Indonesian training. After the reverse punch, just raise your hand so it flows
across the sides of the eye orbit, this causes their head to move away from the
touch, and in turn flow your open hand across their eyes in that direction. The
resultant neck rotation will put them into extreme disadvantage or into a
takedown.
This face flow works because we are all conditioned to turn our
face away from pressure into the eyes ( for this to work its not on the cheek,
but directly across the eyes from either side ) [Warning do this soft for
practice, it can lead to the whiplash effect if not careful.]
While extreme counter training can train someone to turn into
that flowing motion across the eyes, to almost everyone else as you touch the
face you lead their focus. It also provides you with a less violent answer to
stop an attack, if the circumstances warrant this option.
Principle No 7 – Use of the Block as a Strike
There no restrictions keeping us using the initial as a strike.
Among the options.
Interior Line Answers against a right strike
1. LFF and Left rising strike into the solar plexus or the jaw.
2. LFF and left rising strike into the attacking shoulder.
Exterior Line Answers against a left strike
3. LFF and left rising strike into the upper ribs under their
arm
4. LFF and left rising strike into the left side of their throat
(under their striking arm)
5. LFF and Left rising strike into their left armpit
Principle No 8 – Grab and pull
In the grab and pull, the pull is as sharp as the kata practice
can make it to drag the opponent closer.
Exterior line of Defense.
1. LFF Left outside block, then grab their biceps and yank them
into the punch.
2. LFF Left outside block, then grab their shoulder (shirt/coat)
and yank them into the punch.
Principle No 9 – Defense from the Rear
You’re standing alone outside and all of a sudden somebody jumps
you from behind and places you in a bear hug. Another or Harrill Seisei’s
answers was to just step forward with a left outside block (to help release the
grab) and you chamber our right hand striking them sharply into their ribs at
the same time.
Grab defenses are important to keep in the art. Yes many of us
would not find ourselves being grabbed, but depending on location, or size of
the attacker, if you’re a woman or child, being grabbed can and will be very
real possibilities.
Principle No 10 – Defense against a right grab.
Whether they’ve grabbed your right arm with their left, your
right arm with both their hands, or have grabbed both your hands, you have the
same counter. You step out and reach your left arm underneath their arm(s) and
then you deliver a left outside block and sharply chamber your right, then
strike them. A very effective set of grab defenses using Seisan’s opening
section.
But if that’s not good enough for you how about the Brillant
Answer from Isshinryu’s creator.
To close this section, and give us pause, lets return to
Shimabuku Sensei’s own answer for using this section of Seisan. “Left
hand holds right wrist. From Seisan, pull the hand back to the release position
and strike to the solar plexus.”
Yep, he liked Seisan too.
I believe you will see this range of variables is not an
everything goes sort of training. I did not go into every basic variable,
but enough to make the point. You can mix and match all of this with almost
everything discussed to date. It’s why trying to describe all of these options
would take forever.
And if this is basic Seisan, can you imagine what’s coming next?
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.5.2 – Moving Along or basic Angling for an Answer
Having looked at applying the kata as it’s design first
suggests, moving forwards (and perhaps backwards), we must look into the
spatial relationship of the kata movement to the attack.
I remember Joe Swift sharing a translation he made of Mabuni
Kenwa describing how to interpret kata movement, from the 1938 book “Karatedo
Nyumon”. Mabuni’s point was it was a mistake to interpret the kata
movements application potential just by the way the form moved. I would
interpret that to mean just because the kata goes forward the only possible
interpretation of that movement isn’t just straight ahead.
In fact you can use a movement to enter an attacker’s total 360
degree sphere of focus. While the attacker may be attacking you from the front,
they could be attacking somebody else and you may be standing anywhere in
relation to that attack and choose to enter it with your technique. That
really forms an entirely different sort of application analysis.
But the attack I’m interested in at this moment is still coming
in straight at me. Perhaps at a time one is fast enough to fairly move
directly into the attack, or directly away from it, but one does not always
stay young, and/or the attack might involve a weapon, and you most definitely
want to be in the plane of such.
There is another answer, that of moving to the side, angling
away from the attack.
Whether an Interior Line of Defense movement, or an Exterior
Line of Defense movement, angling into your front stance removes you from the
intended target zone, and in turn makes your response faster as you’re closer
to your target.
Principle of the 20 degree shift
There are a number of different ways to shift. For myself I most
often prefer shifting to a 20 degree angle across the attack. You can
shift both feet into that ‘angled’ front stance, but most of the time I use
Replacement Stepping. If I wanted to angle to the right, as the attacker
strikes, I’d move my left foot alongside my right, but instead of continuing to
step out, I would step back with my right foot, to swing into that angled front
stance.
Shifting the angle you are no longer where their grab/punch was
intended and your hand to strike back is closer to them.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
begins the crescent step by drawing the foot in alongside the right foot, but
then you step back and over with the right foot, forming a Seisan Stance facing
across their striking arm at a 20 degree angle. You then use your outside block
to parry their strike away from you, while you chamber your right hand (and
perhaps slash it back alongside their chest as you do so).
If they are throwing the grab following punch, you can always
strike across it with the bottom of your striking arm, deflecting it downward,
and still hit them faster as your right hand is closer than it was originally.
And the Exterior Line of Defense works the same way, with just a
different set of target opportunities, as the ribs or side of the head may
offer.
As to how to use the movement, sliding your stance is as
effective as replacement stepping. The goal is just to get into the position.
Offensive use of the Seisan LFF Left Outside Block
In a related issue, there are other uses of entering an attack
on the angle, in this case using the 20 degree exterior line of offense, to
stop an attacker directed elsewhere.
The situation – Your opponent RFF reaches out with their
right hand to attack somebody else.
Your response – [Exterior Line of Defense] You’re
standing on the exterior of the attack. You use your stepping crescent step to
step in behind the opponents lead leg.
As you do this, you use your crossed hands to strike with the
right hand into the opponents triceps, striking back towards their body. This
will move their arm somewhat to your left.
Then as you step behind their leg, your left arm reaches down
and then to your left in the left outside block.
The timing is such you trap their leg, and execute the left
outside block underneath their outstretched arm into their chest. This
‘blocking’ motion steals their balance and your block downs your
opponent. In fact this is a variation of a standard Tai Chi theme, now to
enter an attack with a strike/throw.
Even fractals of that outside block/strike are available, that
outside block could always be turned into a descending elbow strike if the
opportunity is right.
Principle of Seisan with no movement
At one of the last clinics I attended with Harrill Sensei, I
remember him talking about applying some technique as if your back was against
the wall, you could not move backwards, and with the opponent before you, you
could not move forewords.
To see this with Seisan Kata, take a neutral high parallel
stance, with your arms hanging down.
The situation – Your opponent RFF reaches out with their
right hand to attack you.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense and pinned
down] Standing in parallel stance all you do is use your knee release
effectively, don’t take a step and still outside draw side block and then
reverse punch for effect.
Learning how to shift your center to match the technique can
approximate the stance from the kata in question, and you don’t have to move
your feet at all.
In fact you can do the entire Seisan Kata without stepping and
still learn how to make each technique series work. The focus must be on
learning how to shift your center appropriately with your knee release.
I’m not going to describe this further, just state I teach it
and make it work.
So we see Seisan still has more opportunities to be considered,
beside standard application study.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.5.3 – Redefining the Opening or moving beyond the
boundaries
One interesting principle underlying kata technique application
study is there is no defined lines what constitutes a kata technique step. Sure
there is the definition used for a new student as a training device, but there
are no rules that says that has to define the technique as you work technique
application potential.
It is for this fact alone, that the topic of how to define a
section may be almost infinite in potential. It all depends on where you draw
the lines. Taking the step and block then punch, then step and punch and then
step and punch and making it a defined practice is as logical as just taking
the first aspect, block and then punch.
I don’t intend to make this an infinite study, but there is one
underlying principle that I find works everywhere, in every kata, in every
system of study, every time. The Principle – Take the Next Step
The way I see using karate’s potential is to keep somebody from
hurting me (or someone else). If I train very, very hard and have a very, very,
very good reverse punch, what happens when I unload my perfect punch and
‘Arnold’ just stands there and takes it. The possibility exists that
there is always somebody that my best won’t work against, especially if you
consider, age, size, amount of training, etc.
But what if there was a way to maximize that you could use your
karate technique and put the attacker on the ground. Just that, put them down,
with no other guarantees. Is that worth the effort?
To me it certainly is, and my study found a very logical answer.
When I complete a standard kata section, I just add the next stepping movement
in the kata, and use it as a sweep to take the opponent off their feet.
Thus they try and strike me, and I step in and block them then
strike them, and then step around their leg and sweep them to drive them
down. Certainly this is more involved and requires training on the warp
of the stepping process, but it is a very effective answer.
For example:
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
steps in alongside our right, then your right foot steps out to create Seisan
Stance with the 20 degree shift across their striking arm, as you block and
deflect their arm with your left. You immediately reverse punch their
solar plexus and as you connect you step forward with a perfect crescent step
that ends with your leg bouncing into their calf from behind, and you continue
the punch as a press to drive them down.
Or you consider a Shimabuku Sensei option expressed by Harrill
Sensei. That immediately upon striking with the fist, compress the elbow and
turn it into an elbow strike, and then step forward with the sweep.
And being an equal opportunity employer it works equally well if
you use the unlocking principle and use the same defense against their
LFF Left grab defense.
A more abstract use of the entire originally defined sequence is
as follows, it works as above but you take the third step and get a really
different answer.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
steps in alongside our right, then your right foot steps out to create Seisan
Stance with the 20 degree shift across their striking arm, as you block and
deflect their arm with your left. You immediately reverse punch their
solar plexus and as you connect you step forward with a perfect crescent step
that ends with your leg bouncing into their calf from behind, and you continue
the punch as a press to drive them down.
As they’re on the floor, and you’re holding their right arm in
your left hand, take the third crescent step, pulling your left hand into
chamber and rotating their arm in the process so the knee of your third step
smashes behind their elbow. Which equates to a broken arm or a dislocation of
the elbow. [I suggest this be practiced very, very carefully.]
Principle – the Manner of Stepping
This leads us into the potential uses of stepping in kata
technique.
We’ve already suggested you can step on top of their lead foot
to immobilize them, or you can step behind their foot from the front, hooking
the foot to trap their leg between your instep and your shin, for a pressing
leg takedown.
But each stepping movement has other potential answers. The
stepping can be a low kick into the ankle to force the opponent down.
Each stepping movement may be a knee strike into a groin or the
inner thigh.
Each stepping movement may be a stomping strike into their lower
leg.
Consider the following answer.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
steps in alongside our right, then your right foot steps out to create Seisan
Stance with the 20 degree shift across their striking arm, as you block and
deflect their arm with your left. You immediately reverse punch their
solar plexus and then you step forward, but when your right leg reaches your
left, the leg rises and instead you stomp kick across their knee/lower leg, as
you continue your step.
A rather final answer to a defense.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.5.4 – Seeing Aikido Potential in Seisan
When I discussed the opening of Seisan kata I showed a locking
technique crafted by Harrill Sensei.
I don’t find that kata can contain locks and or throws unusual
for I’ve found many obvious ones in my own study. But Seisan’s opening section
offers a unique glimpse how one art may be present in another. I’m going to
describe several direct links to aikido technique.
I must hasten to add, this does not make Isshinryu aikido,
rather using the Isshinryu technique with it’s aikido principle, is a very
different answer than what aikido most commonly works for. The results tend to
be more final.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
steps in alongside our right, then your right foot steps out to create Seisan
Stance with the 20 degree shift across their striking arm, as you block and deflect
their arm with your left. You immediately reverse punch their solar
plexus and as you connect you step forward with a perfect crescent step that
ends with your leg stepping under and past their arm keeping that 20 degree
orientation.
As your leg passes through you’re going to extend the normal
chambering motion of the right hand from the kata. What you’ll do is
press your right arm underneath their right arm, and then raise it up as you
step through.
As their arm raises, your left foot slides out and you rotate
right 90 degrees on the balls of both your feet.
The right arm is completing its rise and as you rotate, you
slide your right arm (fist closed) down the outside of their right arm, and
finally open your hand, turn it over palm down and slide into their wrist for
the grab as you complete the chamber.
This rolling motion rotates on their shoulder centerline, and
they’re helpless to stop it, and then your chamber grab pulls them forward.
The percussive option is to then strike into their (ribs, neck,
or behind their elbow. The Aikido option is to strike across the top of their
arm behind their elbow as you chamber. The motion of the bottom of your arm
rolling across their triceps insertion rolls them right over.
But using the kata power and focus, this isn’t gentle, rather
you chamber you hand and your striking arm actually slingshots their head into
the ground, unless you chose to do it softer and use it as the Aikido Ikkyu
(first) Lock or an amrbar.
On the other hand you can use aikido option No. 2.
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
steps in alongside our right, then your right foot steps out to create Seisan
Stance with the 20 degree shift across their striking arm, as you block and
deflect their arm with your left. You immediately reverse punch their
solar plexus.
Then to extend your punch you roll it back to your left shoulder
and grab their right wrist from on top.
Next you chamber your right hand, and in this case we’re going
to keep our LFF stance.
As the left hand chambers, shift 45 or so degrees to the right
on the balls of both feet and throw a left reverse punch sliding the bottom of
your left hand across their triceps insertion. Carefully of course because this
is a really good way to break their arm.
You end up with a RFF and Left Reverse punch as if you did the
second portion of the Seisan sequence, but not by stepping but by shifting.
This technique is a variation of Aikido’s Gokyu (5th)
Lock. IMO in Aikido this is a very simple technique, but so dangerous it is
not taught to beginners.
Or another variation.
You’re standing in neutral stance:
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their right
hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] Your left foot
steps in alongside our right, then your right foot steps out to create Seisan
Stance with the 20 degree shift across their striking arm, as you block and
deflect their arm with your left. You immediately reverse punch their
solar plexus.
Then to extend your punch you roll it back to your left shoulder
and grab their right wrist from on top.
Now you step back with you right foot into LFF, and chamber your
right hand, This pulls their wrist over and extends their arm because of the
wrist lock.
This is Aikido’s Nikyu (2nd) Lock. Here we
varied the footwork and direction but it still can be seen as a potential
within the Seisan opening.
FYI, one variant of Matsubayshi Ryu I know uses a variation of
this as their primary self defense lock for their students to practice.
And all of these locks can be countered, but if you’ve really
nailed them first its rather unlikely they’ll be thinking about countering the
lock.
Still another option in Seisan’s opening is an Aikido projection
as opposed to a lock. [Note, a lock can be extended into a projection,
but a projection is primarily just that.]
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] You step
forward with a left outside block to parry their strike outside. Then you grab
their arm with your left (from underneath0 and you immediately reverse punch
your right arm across the side of their neck (your left, their right).
This will cause their neck to roll to your right.
Immediately hook your hand behind their neck and begin to
chamber your right hand holding their neck, at the same time you rotate your
left arm clockwise, spinning them on the center of their trunk.
This variation is Aikido’s Rotary Throw.
Sure these aikido variations involve some minor changes of kata
technique. You might classify them as extensions or even add-ons. But the
Aikido principles, when used with identical kata performance power and
focus, becomes something much stronger to effect into their person.
And additionally the reverse punch often used, is identical to
the way Usheiba documented his Aikdio examples in his pre WWII books. Strike
first (called atemi in their art) and then aiki them.
Opening Seisan Kata 101.5.5 – Some favorite add-on's.
This
sequence of techniques might be considered favorite addons or even odds and
ends that I personally like.
1.
Cut ‘em Down
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] You step
forward with a left outside block to parry their strike outside. Then you grab
their arm with your left (from underneath) and you immediately reverse punch.
Comlete with a right front kick into their Left inner thigh
(above the knee) to buckle their rear leg. Then complete the leg movement by a
Naifanchi style cutting kick into the rear/side of their right knee.
They strike, you finish!
2. Step on By
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Exterior Line of Defense] You step
forward with a left foot on the outside of their grabbing arm. No block, just
strike their ribs with your right. Then you crescent step forward with your
right leg behind their right calf, but when they meet, your keep drawing your
leg back as your hand presses in. This is a fast sweep takedown.
3. Elbow Power
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Exterior Line of Defense] You step
forward with a left foot on the outside of their grabbing arm. No block, just
strike their ribs with your right. Then you crescent step forward with your
right and chamber your right hand, which becomes a rear elbow strike into their
kidney..
Next slide your left foot to the left, pivot on the balls of
both feet turning to the right, striking the back of their neck with your left
fist, then grab their collar.
Next turning about 45 degrees to the left, step forward with
your left and chamber your left hand. Between the kidney shot, the hit and the
pull down you drop them on the ground, perhaps to step again onto their neck.
4. Something borrowed - Ernest Rothrocks Jing do
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] You step
forward with a left outside block to parry their strike outside. Then you
strike into their right side with a left palm strike. Next you immediately
reverse punch, and follow up as required.
This combination left side block immediately followed by a left
palm strike to the ribs, is done in one continuous circular flowing motion. The
circular parry/block keeps moving on.
Guaranteed to get their attention.
5.
Something borrowed – Tris Sutrisno Hangetsu Application
The situation – Your opponent reaches out with their
right hand.
Your response – [Interior Line of Defense] You step
forward with a left outside block to parry their strike outside. As you complete
the block your left hand then drops and rises to the front in a rising bent
wrist strike into their jaw.
Next you reverse punch their solar plexus, following that with
an immediate right backfist strike.
Instead of a One-Two, you turn it into a One-and, Two-and.
Multiple striking sequence to off balance your opponent.
6.
Against a Kick
The situation – Your opponent kicks out with their right
leg.
Your response – [Exterior Line of Defense] You step
forward with your left foot, the lead toes pointed inwards on a 20 degree angle
and you use your left outside block to sweep underneath their kicking leg, and
then complete the blocking motion as an outside throw. When they go down, you
step forward to stomp into their groin.
Without research I’m not sure where but I know Harrill Sensei
used a similar kicking defense, and Tris Sutrisno in turn used this as an
advanced application for his Pinan kata.
I’m
not particularly keen on doing such kick defenses, but if you’re in control of
the situation it is effective. Of course that can be a big ‘IF’ if you’re
really pressed.
Opening
Seisan Kata 101.6 – In Closing
This beginning Kata Application Potential study was prepared to
introduce you to the life long potential kata can provide.
If these 30 or so pages are just for one kata section, consider
how much potential exists within the rest of our bushi no te Isshinryu study.
I certainly haven’t given everything I can see in this section,
much less have even come close to mastering all the rest. But I believe this
study will present an honest look at where your future studies may leave.
There are potentials for Seisan’s opening I haven’t mentioned.
Either I’ve forgotten them at this moment, or I’ve purposefully left them out
for a later date. Feel free to pick an answer.
This study represents some of the material Harrill Sensei shared
with us once upon a time (and in on way describes his full Seisan answers). It
also represents 30 years or so of my own practice, and some thoughts from my
friends too.
Be assured, you will spend many years getting adequate at all
these answers, and we haven’t begun to describe the Opening of Seisan kata
101.7 the integration of breathing with application, the Opening of
Seisan 102 training structure. When you move beyond application analysis
and go into application delivery against random attack, or the Opening of
Seisan kata 103, learning how to choose more appropriate answers.
Seisan’s opening, while filled with potential, is not a very
complex study, there are far more complex studies along our path. In the long
run how you personally choose to own up to these studies will define your path.
But this study alone with work will make it impossible for
anyone to anticipate how you will respond with Seisan’s opening.
A minor goal we all can ascribe to.
Appendix 1
Private note on Pat McCarthy’s site about applications from Dana
Sheets on Okinawan instructors
08-29-05
Regarding standing still or not in kata:
When training in Okinawa last year, more than one senior Okinawan
Uechi-ryu teacher told our group that when you use karate technique you are
never just standing still. You should always apply techniques using what folks
in the Uechi-ryu community often call "tenshin" movements and most
everyone else calls
tai-sabaki or ashi-sabaki (foot and body movement).
This means that you will always use your foot and body movement to put yourself
in a place of advatage - from that place you will able to execute a strike or a
balance displacement depending on your orientation to your attacker. In fact
your foot/body movement should have already started the former or the latter.
Then you apply the principles of atemi/todome (setup & finish) as needed.
This "open-ended" outcome is frustrating in the sense that it doens't
tell you what you SHOULD do next, only what you COULD do next.
And interesting proverb quoted recently to me from a Wing Tsun practitioner
both highlights and makes light of the continued frustrations many experience
in karate training.
"A Chinese master will show you three corners of the room and leave you
find the fourth corner. A Japanese master will show you one corner of the room
and leave you find the other three."
Of course the glory of evolution is that we now know the room has at least 8
corners (4 on the floor and 4 above) and maybe even more if the room is not a
box. So for those of you working outside the box I hope you enjoy finding the
corners. I sure am.
happy training,
Dana Sheets
Yudansha
Uechi-Ryu Silver Spring, MD USA
Appendix 2
Translation by Joe Swift (12/20/98) on bunkai to Pinan Nidan in
Mabuni Kenwa and Nakasone Genwa’s 1938 book ‘Karatedo Nyumon’ pages 138 to 140.
Kata and Directions:
The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood,
and frequently mistakes are made in the interpretation of kata movements. In
extreme cases, it is sometimes heard that ‘this kata moves in 8 directions so
it is designed to fight 8 opponents’ or some such nonsense. I would like to
specifically address this issue now. Looking at the embusen for
Pinan Nidan, one can see that karate kata move in all directions, forward and
back, left and right. When interpreting kata, one must not get too caught up in
those directions. For example, do not fall into the trap of thinking that just
because a kata begins to the left that the opponent is always attacking from
the left. There are two ways to look at this.
(1) The kata is defending against
an attack from the left.
(2) Angle to the left against a
frontal attack.
At first glance, both of these look alright. However, looking at
only number (1), the meaning of the kata becomes narrow, and the kata, which in
reality must be applied freely, in any situation, becomes awfully meager in its
application.
Looking at an actual example, the 5 Pinan kata all start to the
left, and then repeat the same series of techniques to the right. Looking at
interpretation (1), the opponent must always attack form the left, and while
fighting that opponent, another opponent comes from behind so the defender
turns to fight that opponent. This type of interpretation is highly
unreasonable.
Looking at interpretation number (2) however, the 5 Pinan kata
show us that against an attack from the front, we can evade either left or
right to put ourselves in the most advantageous position to defend ourselves.
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