Foundational Katas
Gekisai Dai
Ichi (to Attack & Smash I)
This kata was created by Chojun Miyagi Sensei approximately
in 1940. The Chinese characters for Geki and sai mean
to "attack, smash and demolish" (an attacker).
This kata contains powerful basic movements aimed at introducing
a student to higher levels of kata. Many of its movements
are taken from more advanced kata.
Gekisai Dai
Ni (to Attack & Smash II)
This kata was created at the same time as Gekisai Dai Ichi.
It introduces open hand techniques (Kake Uke) and the cat-stance
(Neko-Ashi Dachi). It is also used as an introductory kata
to more advanced kata.
Saifa (to smash & tear)
Saifa literally translates to "smash and tear."
This kata stresses close-quarter fighting utilizing the hammer
fist (Tetsui Uchi) and back fist (Uraken Uchi) strikes along
with knee strikes and kicks to the groin. Saifa helps build
dynamic power and grace, while stressing taisabaki and balance.
Seiyunchin (grab & pull in battle)
Although there are many interpretations inherent in the translation,
Seiyunchin literally translates to "grab and pull into
battle." Its origins are believed to be from the
Hsing-i internal system and its techniques are well suited
for practical, close-quarter fighting. Seiyunchin is long
and demanding, containing pulling and gripping techniques,
and hidden throwing techniques. Seiyunchin requires a strong
body, excellent breath control, and lots of stamina. This
particular kaishugata has no kicking techniques in it.
Shisochin (4 direction (palm)
battle)
Shisochin literally translates to "four-directional
battle." Kanryo Higaonna Sensei brought this kata to
Okinawa from China. Shisochin kata uses open -hand movements
and strikes in a close quarter fighting manner. In his later
years, Miyagi Sensei favored this kata for personal practice.
Shisochin is one of the most beautiful and dynamic katas
in Goju-Ryu.
Sepai (18 hands)
Sepai literally translates to 18 hands. The kata has 18
primary types of movements. It also contains an array of
unusual body twisting techniques with rapid, whipping movements
in addition to pulling techniques. It is one of the original
kaishugatas brought to Okinawa from China by Kanryo Higaonna
in 1881.
Sanseru (36
hands)
Sanseru literally translates to "36." Sanseru
is referred to as "36-hands." It also uses four-directional
fighting. Sanseru contains many joint attacks, and defenses
against kicking attacks. It also contains many low kicks
and double-hand techniques. Kanryo Higaonna Sensei brought
Sanseru to Okinawa from China. Like Shisochin, the techniques
in this kata are basic, direct and hard. Unique to this
kata is morote ko uke (two handed wrist block) that has many
close-quarter applications.
Kururunfa (holding
on long and striking suddenly)
Kururunfa literally translates to "holding on long and
striking suddenly." It contains a wide variety of
open-hand/hip coordinated techniques that can be interpreted
as joint locks, blocks, strikes or a combination of the three.
Kururunfa was brought to Okinawa from China by Kanryo Higaonna
in 1881. It is considered to be one of the most elegant and
powerful katas in Goju-Ryu.
Sesan (13 hands)
Sesan literally translates to "13" or "13-hands." It
is believed to be one of the oldest kata in Okinawa stressing
fundamental techniques. Sesan is both graceful and powerful
stressing the attacks to the centerline of the body. Sesan
contains many techniques that dichotomize the Go (Hard)
and Ju (Soft). Sesan takes many years of practice to learn
correctly, and to master. It is one of the most important
Goju-Ryu katas. |
