A Japanese journalist opinion first seeing Sanchin kata.

 

Now reading Nagamine Shoshin’s “Tales of Okinawa’s Great Masters” I found this interesting passage about Miyagi Chojun. Page 66.

 

“There is an interesting account of a journalist from the Japanese mainland who, afte watching Hiagonna’s young students demonstrating the Sanchin kata was deeply impressed by the way in which they moved their hips, contracted their muscles, and breathed. The following haku was composed by the journalist.

 

Haku:

Toshu kuken hatsukaminari wa turiosou.

 Translation:

A roll of thunder,

seizing the first bolt of lightning 

with the empty hands.