Back in 1975 of
so, when I first learned Nihanchi (Naifanchi and variant spellings), not much
was said except that it was our next
form. This was of course long before there was an internet, few books were
available on Isshinryu and those that were just showed the kata. It just was
another kata to work on.
When I began
training with Charles Murray, it also became just one of the kata we
incessantly drilled on. I know we had some discussions about the manner of
kicking/stepping involved, but that was about it.
So incessant
practice, time and then black belt testing.
I knew Naifanchi
was infrequently seen in open and other tournaments used as a black belt form.
And around the many styles I visited there was almost no discussion about Naifanchi
kata.
The one
exception was when I trained with Carl Long, a shorin ryu stylist in the
Shimabuku Ezio lineage. I recall he used Naifanchi in a variety of different ways. One of them
contained two 180 degree turns, showing
some of the potential for the kata technique in a different manner. That was
interesting and I remembered and retained that in my curriculum for a black
belt practice. Another variation was he used to see who could do Naifanchi
fastest. Say in 11 seconds, all the time maintaining technique not devolving
performance into slop. A true speed drill. Suggesting still more possibilities.
As years passed
I became convinced that many black belts did not enjoy Naifanchi kata, spending
less time on it. I almost never saw it in tournaments.
Then I finally
saw a panther video of Angi Uzen where he was doing Naifanchi kata. And he was
superb. Not necessarily the same version I was taught, but it bolstered my
opinion that great Naifanchi kata was necessary to fully understand the system.
In those years I was just teaching youth, and working on my own practice,
continually 7 days a week.
I was not
associating with others in Isshinryu, just observing them via tournament
competition.
The more I
trained, the more convinced I was that to fully advance into dan study of
Isshinryu, the more one should improve Naifanchi kata, even if only for the
lateral movement it provided.
Then I relocated
to New Hampshire, a result of a job change. I began my youth program again, and
started a small adult program too.
Mike Cassidy performing Nihanchi kata about 1989
Work on Naifanchi
was still a keystone. In a short time I had a very highly skilled group of teen
students. And being teens they had too much energy to burn. So I created a
variant version of Naifanchi kata for those teen students.
A version of Naifanchi
which included 2 jumping turning crescent kicks done within the kata. A very
dynamic drill.
Then to not let the adults be left out of the fun,
I crafted another variation which included 2 back turning stepping inward
crescent kicks with the form. Not to replace Naifanchi kata, rather to become
an additional drill to expand thinking about the form.
Then time passed
as some of those adults became black belts. Several continued to do great forms
with all of their studies. I discovered that many of the black belts preferred
to spend less time on their Naifanchi kata practice.
Of course I had
a response for that. I just increased the Naifanchi workout as part of class,
(We had become mostly a black belt adult club.) I also incorporated Naifanchi
kata drill in a stack formation (one behind the other…) Putting whoever was
doing the best work on Naifanchi at that time at the head of the stack, to
drive everyone behind to stronger performance.
Young Lee, Rabiah Abiaad, Don Normandin
All told, I had
many Naifanchi drills to fall back on keeping everyone fresh on their Naifanchi
kata.
At the same time
I was going deeper into what the use of kata movement could be used for.
Where much of my
work was on Seisan kata, I also had a preference in Chinto kata. I began to
realize it had more in common with the Chinese forms I had studied, Not that
they were similar, but a feeling that of all the Isshinryu kata, it contained
the most Chinese feel of the kata.
Then after
structural analysis of the kata, I became convinced the strongest reason to
continue to press for great Naifanchi kata performance was because to me, Naifanchi
kata was likely a preparatory form for Chinto kata.
The rotation
between strikes going from side to side, building a stronger core movement
allowing stronger, faster spin turn in Chinto kata.
That became the
most important lesson from Naifanchi kata for me, building toward a stronger Chinto
kata.
I was early into
my own kata technique analysis at that time. There was so much to work on, I
had only touched a small part of Naifanchi for those studies.
Now I was not
just figuring this out, this was to become a core of my dan studies with my
students. Walk the walk.
Then I met
Sherman Harrill.
That first
clinic he used application potential from Naifanchi kata footwork that
blew me away, But as that time I was
more focused on Chinto, Kusanku, and Sunsu kata. Eventually over a few years we
got around to what he was doing with Naifanchi kata. Of course it was as eye
opening as all the rest.
Of course it was
consistent with how he had found the same principles for kata application.
Now this was all
before I discovered the internet was coming into existence.
I soon began
reading about how Naifahchi was one of the cornerstones for Isshinryu, and in
time all the stuff about Motobu and those that considered what he was about was
good.
I read all of
it, shared such with my students at times, I honestly believed everyone who
stated that was so felt that way, and many put that into their practice.
But while I have
larned much from book larning, It was on the floor, and from my own experiences
that held the greatest sway over what I felt.
I never doubted
that the study of Naifanchi kata was important throughout our martial lives.
But never accepted that it was the most important training either.
The longer I
went the more convinced I became it was the necessary step to build for fuller
utilization of Chinto Kata potential.
My own efforts
showed me how Naifanchi kata was contained there in. Also how much tai chi
potential was utilized. How much baguazhang potential was there, How much
Aikido potential was being shown.
Of course it never replaced my contention that Seisan
was my kingpin, or that if pressed the same strike Sherman Harrill showed was
the answer too.
But the deepest
study I had was focused on the never ending potential of Chinto kata.
I continue to
look at as much as I can, consider as much as I can and I understand I know
less and less and I move forward.
Of course I am a
product of how I was trained, and I am a product of what I have experienced. And
I am also a product of the work I put into my studies.
And the ravages
of time have taken its toll.
I never have
stopped working. This is what I can do with Naifanchi kata today.
1 comment:
The process of moving forward never stops. While I was putting this together another way Naifanchi can be found in Chinto occurred to me. One I hesitate to discuss, perhaps it will remain one of my private revelations. There are things I have found that I choose not to share. Of course others are free to work it out for themselves, but there are things I prefer not to share. My students understand why.
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