Mawashi empi uchi (inside circular elbow strike) is a Karate technique. Empi uchi are very strong, they are applied mainly for close range fighting where it’s difficult to avoid or lock them. The elbow strikes are generally forbidden in Karate competitions. They are studied mostly in Katas and self... more »
Mawashi geri (round kick) may be executed from a variety of stances, and there are several methods of proper execution. The portion of its execution that is always consistent is that the kick is executed inward and at an angle that is anywhere from parallel to the floor to 45 degrees upward. In general,... more »
Morio Higaonna (born December 25, 1938) is a prominent Okinawan karate practitioner who is the founder and Chief Instructor of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF). He is a holder of the highest rank in Goju-ryu karate, 10th dan. Martial arts scholar Donn Draeger (1922–1982) reportedly once described him as “the most dangerous... more »
Oi tsuki (lunge punch) is a Karate punch where the leg and fist are on the same side. The chamber, or preparatory position, of Oi tsuki is with the striking hand retracted to the hip or ribs, in a fist, with the palm facing up. The punch travels in a linear path directly toward... more »
Saifa means “smash and tear” and it’s a Karate Kata. Saifa has its origins in China, and was brought to Okinawa by Higashionna. It contains quick whipping motions, hammerfists, and back fist strikes; it particularly emphasizes moving off-line from an opponent’s main force, while simultaneously closing distance and exploding through them.This is usually the... more »
Sanchin means “three battles”. This kata is a sort of moving meditation, whose purpose is to unify the mind, body and spirit. The techniques are performed very slowly so that the student masters precise movements, breathing, stance/posture, internal strength, and stability of both mind and body. In Goju Ryu Sanchin is the foundation for... more »
Sanseru (36 hands) is unique as Miyagi Sensei studied this Kata under a direct student of RuRuKo during his studies in Fuzhou, China beginning in 1916. Sanseru, from its numerical designation, would seem to have its roots in Buddhism. This is not to infer that there is a religious connection or implication with this... more »
Seiyunchin (control/suppress and pull) is a Goju Ryu Kata (form). The name Seiyunchin implies the use of techniques to off balance, throw and grapple. It is this understanding that imparts the original intentions of the Kata of Naha-te before the sport alignment of modern Karate. Seiyunchin contains close-quartered striking, sweeps, take-downs and throws. Though... more »
The reference to “18” in naming this Kata has a couple of interpretations. Like Sanseru kata, there is suggested a connection to Buddhist philosophy. Another insinuates “18 guards for the King”. The most apparent and most meaningful in the naming of Sepai is again from the martial arts development and the use of attacking... more »
Sesan “13 hands”, Sanseru and Sepai all share the kanji “se”. This may well be a Chinese dialect of the Okinawan term “te” or “fighting hand”, referring to life-protection techniques. To better understand these Kata requires a more defined understanding of the language and culture of the people from which these Kata originated. Sesan... more »
Shisochin translates as “Four Gates” or “Four Directions of Conflict”. To leave it at that discounts a truer understanding. The third kanji is the same found in Sanchin and Seiyunchin, which translates as “battle” or “conflict”. This lends to a deeper definition of its meaning. The idea of four directions can come from the... more »
Soto ude uke (outside forearm block) is a Karate blocking technique. Like age uke, soto ude uke has a prepare, although different in position. This preparation is a vital part of the block, and the more advanced you become the clearer its purpose becomes. Soto ude uke starts outside of the body, travelling inward.... more »
Suparinpei “108 Hands” is the most advanced Kata in Goju-Ryu. It contains the greatest number of techniques and variations. Suparinpei is deceptive in that it appears simple in execution but when combined with transitions and changing tempos, it is only surpassed by Sanchin in technical difficulty and understanding. The number “108” is suggested to... more »
Tensho “Turning Palms” is derived from the Chinese form “Rokkishu”. Unlike Sanchin, which is almost identical to its Chinese counterpart, Tensho is uniquely Okinawan. From his understanding of the Kata of Goju-Ryu and the “nature of man”, Miyagi Sensei developed Tensho to further complete his Goju-Ryu where Sanchin left off. Tensho has many of... more »
Tetsui tsuki (hammer fist) is a Karate technique. In Tetsui the striking is with the little finger end of the fist, and by default it is aimed at the bridge of the... more »
Uchi uke or Uchi ude uke (inside-forearm-block): tis a Karate block that follows an opposite path to Soto ude uke. This block travels from the inside in an outward direction. Like the other blocks, timing the return arm with the blocking arm is important, and rotation of the forearm is vital. This too is... more »
Uraken (back fist) is a Karate hand technique, one of the fastest fist available. As it uses a snapping motion rather than a thrusting one, (like most other strikes), it can be whipped out in a flash. So why is it not used more frequently by martial artists. Well it is a technique that... more »