This rare footage shows an old version
of Kyan Chotoku/ Chan Migwa Karate. It shows many differences from the modern
versions of Shorin Ryu, Matsubayashi Ryu, and Isshin Ryu, passed down through
Kyan Chotoku.
I particularly like the footage as it
shows variations from modern standardized Karate, and gives a glimpse to old
one on one type teaching, where variations exist, but one is still practicing
essentially the same thing.
As I've had experience with Chinese
arts, this is no big deal, but in Japanese arts, this could be frowned upon.
The old Okinawans of two - three generations ago seemed very flexible in their
teachings and transmission of Kata.
Many of the Kata are easily
recognizable- Seisan, Ananku, Wanshu, Gojushiho, Passai, Chinto, Kusanku, but
with variations from the modern institutionalized Ryu. It is a glimpse of old
Okinawan Karate.
For discussion, those who are
descendants of Kyan, what are your thoughts?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SABs0ErM2nQ
Notice the Kusanku Kata doesn't have the
deep pose as found in many Shorin Ryu versions and the many drops to a
crouching and kneeling stance, reflecting night fighting. It makes sense. Also
notice the many follow throughs, whereas modern Ryu's have only one Uke,
showing use of momentum.
First of, thanks Robert Chu for posting this. I only wish the quality was
better! My primary background is in Shotokan and Seibukan Shorin Ryu and I
learned all of these kata (and more). The differences are minor, mainly the
stances. Seibukan has a lot...S
I would also add that I don't think any
of the "versions" are any better or worse, just
"different".
The bo kata looks like shobayashi's
sakugawa no kun. Sai kata is definitely seiyinchin. Cool stuff.
I have seen this video over a number of
years and have observed the performance of being like the old Okinawan kata but
Bunei Okuhara was not much older than several of the best known students of
Kyan and their kata performance has little resemblance to the kata in this
video. My teacher was not more than five years junior to Bunei so the kata
would have to had changed dramatically in that short of time or my teachers
changed the performance dramatically from what he learned from Kyan. Perhaps I
am mistaken but I do not see how the kata methods could have changed that much.
I think the question would be of the skill level of those that pass the kata
forward.
My thought is like many Chinese martial
artists, Kyan Chotoku taught according to ability, personality, background, and
perhaps taught different things at different times in different juxtapositions.
For example, notice in Kusanku, there are foot stomps in the beginning, no artistic
poses after Shuto Uchi, and a lot of crouching and kneeling than other
renditions of the same kata found in Shorin Ryu Seibukan, or Matsubayashi's
version. It is closer to Tatsuo Shimabuku's, or even Joen Nakazato's version
These indicate there was no
"one" way to do the kata, and all the elements are contained within
one set.
Bunei Okuhara may have studied with Kyan for a
short time. His line of movement of Seisan and Ananku are similar but his kihon
is obviously very different. Perhaps after his short study and moving to
mainland Japan affected his training methods?
That's speculation. His Chinto, Seisan,
Ananku, Gojushiho have Kyan's unmistakable signature, without the Japanese
rigidity, and his Passai and Kusanku have a soft, flowing nature, unlike some
of the "Nipponized" hardness prevalent in some streams of Shorin Ryu
today.
Robert Chu, I agree with your assessment
that Bunei Okuhara's kata resembles Tatsuo Shimabuku's more than that of Joen
Nakazto and even less than of Zenryo Shimabukuro's. Having studied with Zenryo
Sensei and Zenpo Sensei and observed Joen Nakazato and Tatsuo Shimabuku's kata
first hand on Okinawa each had their own signatures on Seisan but all three had
a significant difference in balance, speed, agility and focus. Kata kihon may
be changed but the execution of the precious characteristics would not..
Obviously, I never saw Bunei Okuhara perform but I personally watched the other
three and their is no comparison. A few years difference in age would not have
made Okuhara's methods old Okinawan kata different than the three pillars of
the Kyan lineage.
I
see you're having trouble with my term "Old". What I mean is that
Okinawan Karate, before it became institutionalized, standardized, formalized
after Japanese Ryu Ha, with uniforms, ranks, and titles was taught more like
Chinese martial arts. For example, Kyan Chotoku went to learn several kata from
sifferent sources and collected them to be more of a formal Ryu. Another
example is Miyagi Chojun, he learned Sanchin, then Suparunpei... he certainly
didn't have to learn standardized kata in an "orderly" fashion
compared to today's Ryu. Another important difference is the stiffness, no
fluidity, and rigid stances found in Japanese Karate, which have now been
institutionalized and flavored in some versions of Okinawan Karate.
Kyan only learned from his grandfather and
father until the age of 16. By his own writing he gave this account of his
father taking him to study with Matsumura Solon and he studied with him for two
years learning only Gojushiho. He then left for Japan with his father when the
Japanese Emperor brought the Ryukyu King to live in Japan. Chotoku (Motonaga)
accompanied his father and remained in Japan for 10 years. He did not mention
going to other teachers to learn other kata in his history. We know he did
learn additional kata but do not believe it was to create his own ryu ha but
due to associating with the Ryukyu Research Society. You mention Chatan Yara
Kusanku and while we know the kata came from the Chatan area where Kyan
(Motonaga) lived the source of him learning Kusanku could not have been the
Yara of Chatan as he had been deceased for many years.
Trying to find how these fighting methods were practiced 100 years ago can only
be accomplished by imagination since there is no source on Okinawa that knows.
Traditions are passed down from generation to generation but time and societal
living has a chance effect regardless of the participants. If you are on
Okinawa go to Moon Beach on Sunday morning at 8am and you will a handful of men
training that will give you a possible glimpse.
FightingArts.com
- Kyan, Chotoku (1870-1945)
Biography of Chotoku Kyan the early
20th…
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