Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi was born on April 25, 1888. He began training in karate under Kanryo Higaonna at the age of 14, in 1902. Like his teacher before him, because of his great natural talent and fierce determination, he progressed very rapidly. The training was severe beyond belief at times but he practiced ever... more »
Gekisai dai is the first of the two Gekisai katas, The word “Gekisai” means conquer and occupy. The name is derived from the characters Geki, meaning attack or conquer, and Sai, meaning fortress or stronghold (literally translated as “closed”, “shut” or “covered”). The word Gekisai can also mean demolish, destroy or pulverize. The kata teach... more »
Gekisai means “attack and destroy”. These kata were created around 1940 by Chojun Miyagi and Nagamine Shoshin as beginners’ kata, to introduce the basic forms of karate (kihon) to middle school students in Okinawa, to help bring about the standardization of karate, and to teach a basic set of techniques for self-defense. Gekisai kata... more »
Gekisai means “attack and destroy”. These kata were created around 1940 by Chojun Miyagi and Nagamine Shoshin as beginners’ kata, to introduce the basic forms of karate (kihon) to middle school students in Okinawa, to help bring about the standardization of karate, and to teach a basic set of techniques for self-defense. Gekisai kata... more »
Gekisai sho is the second of the two Gekisai katas, The word “Gekisai” means conquer and occupy. The name is derived from the characters Geki, meaning attack or conquer, and Sai, meaning fortress or stronghold (literally translated as “closed”, “shut” or “covered”). The word Gekisai can also mean demolish, destroy or pulverize. The kata teach... more »
Sanchin is the eight and last empty-hand Kata in Isshin Ryu Karate. Coming from Chojun Miyagi, Sanchin has its origins in the Gojū-ryū Ryu system. Along with Seiunchin, this is one of two Gojū-ryū katas in Isshin-ryū. Previous to the instruction of Miyagi, the kata was practiced with open hands, turns, and natural breathing... more »
This kata was brought into Isshin ryu from Shimabuku’s studies with the Gojū-ryū Ryu founder, Chojun Miyagi. It is theorized by researchers that this kata is an original composed by Miyagi, based on his experiences in Fuzhou, China. The kata focuses on the stance “shiko-dachi”, a low horse stance. The kata is broken into... more »
The Saifa kata has been introduced by Kanryo Higaonna from China, although some claims have stated that Chojun Miyagi (Goju Ryu) may have introduced it. “Saifa” can be translated as, ‘Smash and Tear’, i.e. to Rend. The folding techniques contained in the kata reflect the name with its joint manipulations used to smash bone and... 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 »
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 »
Tensho was originally created by Chojun Miyagi. “Tensho” means rolling or fluid hand, literally translated as “rotating palms”. Tensho is the soft and circular (yin) counterpart to the hard and linear (yang) Sanchin kata. Not only was Tensho one of Mas Oyama’s favorite kata, he considered it to be the most indispensable of the... more »
Tensho was originally created by Chojun Miyagi. “Tensho” means rolling or fluid hand, literally translated as “rotating palms”. Tensho is the soft and circular (yin) counterpart to the hard and linear (yang) Sanchin kata. Tensho is a basic illustration of the definition of Karate, derived from Chinese kempo, as a technique of circles based... more »