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 »
Sanchin literally means “three battles” or “three conflicts”. It is the principal kata in certain Okinawan karate styles, such as Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu, and it is likely one of the oldest kata. Certain legends attribute the creation of Sanchin to Bodhidharma in the early sixth century. Sanchin kata seeks to develop three... more »
Sanchin was brought back from China by Kanryo Higaonna, and means “three battles”, the three generally accepted as being the body, mind and spirit. The physical principles that provide the strength of Sanchin are: 1) centering of the body’s energy; 2) lowering the body’s center of gravity; 3) controlled breathing into the abdomen, which... more »
Sanseiru is one of the 4 “core” kata brought back from China by Kanryo Higaonna. The standard kanji of Sanseiru mean “36”. The pronunciation is an Okinawan rendering of the Fujian dialect. “San” means 3, “sei” means 10, and “ru” means 6. The number has siginificance in Buddhist tradition. Traditionally Fujian quan fa schools would... 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 »
Seienchin kata is a traditional Japanese/Okinawan style kata. The name Seienchin is generally defined as either “the calm before the storm” or the “storm within the calm.” Seienchin was one of the many kata handed down by Kanryo Higaonna, a famous Okinawan karate master. It is a very old kata and its roots may... more »
Originally a Chinese kata. It was brought to Okinawa and karate by Kanryo Higaonna. In other karate styles, this kata is sometimes called Seipaite, or eighteen hands. The number 18 is derived from the Buddhist concept of 6 x 3, where six represents color, voice, taste, smell, touch and justice and three represents good, bad... more »
Seiryoku Zen’yo Kokumin Taiiku no Kata (Maximum-Efficiency National Physical Education Kata) is a set of physical exercises that are part of Kodokan Judo. Its purpose is to promote the development of strong, healthy minds and bodies in an interesting and useful way. It consists of two groups of exercises, one to be practiced alone,... more »
In about 1935 Konishi Sensei, Ueshiba Sensei (the founder of Aikido), Mabuni Sensei, and Ohtsuka Sensei were training together almost daily. At this time, the Japanese government was largely controlled by top officers of the Imperial Army. Konishi Sensei was asked by the commanding general of the Japanese Army to develop women’s self-defence techniques.... more »
Seisan is a Shito Ryu advanced kata. In Shotokan it is called Hangetsu. Seisan literally means ’13’, however some people refer to the kata as ’13 Hands’, ’13 Fists’, ’13 Techniques’, ’13 Steps’ or even ’13 killing positions’. However, all these names are made up and have no historical basis. Seisan is thought to be... more »
The name Seishan means “13 hands”. This kata was named after a well-known Chinese martial artist who lived in or near Shuri c. 1700. The movements are repeated in sets of three, and has pivots and turning of the head. Funakoshi renamed this kata as Hangetsu. Seisan is thought to be one of the... 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Shishi No Kun is the third Bo Kata of Isshin ryu, a Karate style that embeds Kobudo in its curriculum. Tatsuo Shimabuku learned this form from Shinken Taira who learned it from Jinsei Kamiya. The kata itself uses the bo in a horizontal manner, different from other cudgel... more »