Taikiken
by Sawai Kenichi is a book I bought long
ago. It is an art developed in Japan from Hsing
Yi origins. Literally a Japanese version of the Chinese art. I have always
found it very practical in what it shows.
More
from my studies in Tai Chi and the Tjimande which I experienced. It is a very
interesting read. It’s techniques offer a different view of martial technique.
Mario McKenna has just posted a translation of an interesting article on his blog at http://www.kowakan.com/kyoda-juhatsu-touon-goju/#more-13 . I urge you to go there and read it.
I’ve
trained many places, participated in many drills at those times. One evening I
was visiting a friend Tom Ross in Taylor,
Pa. who trained in Synko Ryuwith Siemong WangSensei. He was not there that evening and it
was decided that everyone would self train in the Community Center gym where
classes were held.
I
started going through my Isshinryu kata, as I wasn’t learning their system just
training along.
First
I did Seisan kata then Seiuchin, then I decided I would try something I had
only read about, performing one kata many multiple times. I was then training
or teaching 6 days a week and was uses to hard sweat workouts. I thought I’d
have a go at doing Kusanku kata 20 times.
I
began first time no problem. Second, again just the kata. Third time it was
beginning to be an effort. Then the fourth, fifth and sixth times. Now it was
beginning on becoming more difficult with longer rests between the repetitions
required.
On
the 7th I was now more tired, and balance was going, Definitely
harder to get both down and up. However I kept going. Then the 8th
and the 9th, harder, definitely harder. Longer greaks required. Next
the 10th, just made it. Now to rest.
Kept
going on and made the 11th. Walking became unsteady. Can’t quit.
Barely made it through 12 and finally stopped. No longer any technique execution.
Flopping through the form. No sense in doing more and practicing how to do the
form wrong.
So
I didn’t complete my personal challenge. Learned a great deal though. It was
one thing to set a training goal, another thing altogether to reach unrealistic
goals.
Sure it was a workout, but at the same time it just was a practice in
learning your limits. Personally worth while to know how far I can go on. Not a
practice for class, a very personal practice.
To
pull together several valuable posts on this topic, not to describe it’s use in
Isshinryu, per sae, but to understand what other Okinawan systems use.
The use of the kicking foot toe is varied between
the various Okinawan systems. From Uechi
Ryu with it’s notable Chinese origins, to the more subtle uses in Goju,Matsubayshi and Isshin Ryu’s
to name a few. This is an attempt to pull together several comprehensive
resources on the topic.
Beginning with Toudi
references in Itoman Seijin (Morinobu’s) book Toudi-jutsu no
KenkyuIt is interesting
in that there is no mention of toe kicks. It does describe kicks but
dosen’t talk about the kicking surface for same.
Types of Kicks
Rooster (Crane Standing on One Leg)
The
rooster kick takes its shape from a rooster or crane resting on one leg. When
you kick with this technique you do not kick up with the leg straight but
instead bend at the knee and make contact with the foot or shin. This method of
kicking is quick, powerful and stable.
Rising Kick
This
method kicks upwards with a slight rising motion.
Penetrating Kick
In
this method of kicking the leg is deeply thrusts outwards.
Itoman
does say his description is lacking hundreds of other techniques, so this wasn’t
intended to be a complete listing by no means.The translation was done by Mario McKenna.
Christopher
Caille of www.FightingArts.com
has written a bit toe toe kicks in his on line magazine.
The Old Okinawan Karate Toe Kick: Part 1- Introduction &
Execution
Engami Shigeru (Who went from studying
Shotokan with Funakoshi Sensei to creating Shotoka) described earlier toe
kicking practices from an article on my blog.
