Tongbeiquan (literally “Spreading Power from the Back Boxing”) is a school of martial arts popular in northern China. Tongbeiquan’s basic precepts are Taoist in nature and many of the training methods in Tongbeiquan are similar to those of the internal styles. In traditional Tongbeiquan training, several parts are included: basic training (stance, arm techniques,... more »
This kata was created by Seigo Tada, founder of the Seigokan branch of Goju Ryu. Tsuki no Kata by its very name is “kata of punches”, and there is only one kick and just a few blocks in the entire form. The word Tsuki can also mean fortune and luck. Good fortune and luck... more »
Ul ji is a Taekwondo form. It was named after general Eulji Mundeok who successfully defended Goguryeo against a Sui invasion force of over one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612AD. By employing hit and run guerilla tactics, he was able to destroy the majority of the force. The diagram of the... 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 »
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 »
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 »
Urashi No Kun is the second Bo Kata of Isshin ryu, a Karate style that embeds Kobudo in its curriculum. The form Urashi no Kun was taught to the founder of Isshin ryu, Tatsuo Shimabuku by his kobudō instructor, Shinken Taira. Taira is the founder of the Ryūkyū Kobudō Hozon Shinkokai, whose goal is... more »
Wankan (Japanese: “King’s Crown” or “Emperor’s Crown”) (also called Okan) is a 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 Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Genseiryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. It is often considered an advanced kata,... more »
Wankan (Japanese: “King’s Crown” or “Emperor’s Crown”) (also called Okan) is a 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 Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Genseiryu and Matsubayashi-ryu. It is often considered an advanced kata,... 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 »
The name “Wanshu” means “flying swallow”. This is a Tomari-te kata based on movements brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy of the same name. The metaphorical name, “Flying Swallows” comes from the soft blocking sequences near the end of this kata. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Empi. [Source:... more »
Won hyo is a Taekwondo 28-movements form (hyeong). This pattern is named after the noted monk Wonhyo who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD. [From Wikipedia. Original page is... more »
Shaolin Xiao Hong Quan is probably the most well known fist form from the Song Shan Shaolin Monastery. Xiao Hong Quan was developed during the Qing Dynasty and remains a major style in Shaolin Monastery to this day. When the monastery lost its library in the fire of 1928 almost all of the martial manuscripts... more »
Xiao Pao Quan (Small cannon fist) is one of the forms that are studied by the Monks at the Shaolin Temple. Techniqes are forceful with the conditioning that is needed – one will acquire fists like mighty Cannons. Xiao Pao Quan shares the same features as other Shaolin Cannon Boxing routines, but the movements... more »
The Kata Yantsu originates with Motobu-ha Shito ryu. The name “Yantsu” or “Yansu” is derived from the characters Yan, meaning safe, and Su, meaning three. The name is attributed to that of a Chinese military attaché to Okinawa in the 19th Century. The word yansu also means to keep pure, striving to maintain the purity of principles and ideals... more »
Yeon gae is a 49 movements Taekwondo form (hyeong). It was named after the famous general Yon Gae Somoon during the Goguryeo Dynasty. He defended Goguryeo from the aggression of the Tang Dynasty by destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung. (This pattern normally resides between Choi Yong and Se-Jong). [From Wikipedia.... more »