Sepai is a Shito Ryu Karate Kata. The standard kanji of Seipai mean “18”. The pronunciation is an Okinawan rendering of the Fujian dialect. “Sei” means 10, and “pai” means 8. It is thought that this name was given because the kata originally had 18 types of movements. Seipai contains a variety of unusual... more »
This Kata was originally made by Sensei Anko Itosu and initiated to Sensei Kenwa Mabuni. The origin of the name Kokosun came from a name of military officer of China, Kusanku, who introduced the... more »
Shito Ryu Karate-do is probably the most popular form in West Japan. It was founded by Kenwa Mabuni who studied under Yasutsune Itosu. Mabuni also later studied under Kanryo Higashionna and later named his style of karate the Shito style, taking the first characters of each of his teacher’s names. ‘Shi’ is the one... more »
Sōchin (Japanese: “Tranquil Force”) is a kata practiced in several styles of karate. It may have derived from Dragon style, and was taught in the Naha-te school in Okinawa by Seishō Aragaki. It was then passed down to Shitō-ryū. The rhythm of the kata is dynamic, it is characterized by slow, deliberate movements interspersed... more »
Sokon Matsumura (1809 – 1899) was one of the well-known original karateka of Okinawa. He studied Chuan Fa (Kempo in Japanese) in China as well as other martial arts and brought what he learned back to Okinawa, where he taught a select few students and became a well-known master. He was appointed instructor and... 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 is a very long and complex Kata. You can find this form in Shito Ryu and Goju Ryu syllabus. The kanji traditionally used for Suparinpei mean “108 hands”. This kata utilizes many techniques and contains a great number of applications. Suparinpei not only contains many of the techniques from earlier kata but also... 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 »
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 »
Unsu, literally “cloud hands”, is an advanced kata found in Shotokan and Shito-Ryu karate styles. It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360 degree spinning double kick with a double leg take down at the same time, landing on... 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 »
Also called a donkey kick, spin kick, mule kick, or turning back kick. This kick is directed backward keeping the kicking leg close to the standing leg and using the heel as a striking surface. Most often, this kick is delivered with a spinning motion in tournaments. It can be highly damaging due to... more »
Wankan (“King’s Crown” or “Emperor’s Crown”) (also called Okan) is a Karate kata practiced in many styles of Karate. Not much is known about the history of this kata. It originates from the Tomari-te school and in modern karate is practiced in Shito Ryu, Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Genseiryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. Wankan is often considered an... more »
Wanshu is also the Okinawan-adapted name of Sappushi [Jp. ‘diplomat’] ‘Wang Ji’ (1621-1689), the leader of a large ambassadorial mission from China sent by the Qing government to the village of Tomari, Okinawa in 1683. A poet, calligrapher, diplomat, and martial artist in the Shaolin tradition of Fujian White Crane, he is often credited... more »
Yoko geri is one of the most powerful of all the karate kicks, especially when aimed at the ribs or solar plexus. You can strike by using either the side or the heel of the foot. It’s recommended using the side of the foot when striking at the throat or neck, whereas the heel... more »
Yoko tobi geri (flying side kick) is a Karate technique. While not very useful in the real world, flying side kicks are fun and look great for demonstration purposes. If performed correctly they can deal insane... more »