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
Ichi (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. |