Introduction
Eighteen kata are practiced in Shorin-Ryu. In the
early years students would practice a single kata for 3 years or more before
being allowed to learn a new kata. Shorin-Ryu's most advanced kata, Kusanku, was
said by Master Nagamine to take at least ten years to master. At three years a
piece and 10 for Kusanku it would take a dedicated student 61 years to "perfect"
all eighteen kata! There are also unlimited bunkai
(fighting) applications to each individual kata. The following is a short description of
the various kata practiced in Shorin-Ryu.
Fukyugata - "Promotional
Kata"
Fukyugata I was created by Master Shoshin Nagamine in 1941 and Fukyugata II
by the Master of Goju-Ryu, Chojun Miyagi. These two introductory kata were
originally requested to be created by a special committee of all the Okinawan
Karate-Do Association organized and summoned by the governor of Okinawa at that
time, Mr. Gen Hayakawa. The reason for the inception of these two introductory
kata was to allow beginners and school children to approach Karate practice in
the most lenient way possible.
Pinan - "Peace"
Pinan I through V were created by Anko Itosu in 1907 and were intended to be
practiced by high school students as an integral part of the regular curriculum.
When Ginchin Funakoshi introduced karate to mainland Japan he modified the Pinan
katas and renamed them "Heian" in Japanese. Additionally the Shotokan system he
founded changed Pinan I to Heian II and Pinan II to Heian I.
Naihanchi - "Horse Riding
Kata"
The composer of the Naihanchi katas is unknown. The Naihanchi katas were
traditionally the first katas a studnet would learn. They are charachterized by
powerful lower body movements and all movements are conducted left and right in
a straight line from the starting position. In the Shotokan system these katas
are known as the Tekki katas. When the Pinan katas were introduced in 1907 they
replaced the Naihanchi katas as introductory katas. Students now learn the
Fukyugatas, then the Pinans, then the Niahanchis before moving on the to "black belt"
katas.
Anaku - "Ten
Gods"
The first of the so called "black-belt katas".
It is simple in makeup, but considered advanced because of emphasis on power
in the techniques. Most movements are performed in the zenkutsu-dachi stance.
Wankan - "King's
Crown"
The composer of this kata is unknown as well, but it has been practiced for
a long time primarily in the village of Tomair on Okinawa. This kata combines
elegant but powerful movements in both attack and defense sequences.
Rohai
Another kata created by an unknown master. It too was practiced
predominately
in Tomari village. The characteristic of this kata is the one-foot stances where
the other foot is drawn to deliver a quick snap-kick. It is not as long as some
of the other katas (27 movements) but has a powerful, graceful flow to it.
Wanshu
It is believed that this kata was brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese
envoy named Wanshu; but later, this kata was reformed and developed by Karate
men of Tomari Village. The characteristic of this kata is the execution of
hidden fist punches (kakushi-zuki).
Passai
The composer of this kata is also unknown. The characteristic of this kata
is the execution of knife-hand techniques. This kata was the favorite of Sensei
Kyan. Gojushiho -
"54 Steps"
The composer of this kata is also unknown. Goju-Shi-Ho literally means 54
steps. The characteristics of this kata are the spear-hand thrust and the
resemblance of a drunken man's movements.
Chinto
The composer of this kata is unknown. The characteristics of this kata are
the execution of a flying kick, and every movement is composed in a diagonally
straight line. Kunsaku
This kata was adopted and developed by Okinawan Karate men after it was
brought to Okinawa in 1761 by a Chinese Martial Artist named Kusanku. This kata
is the most magnificent and advanced kata of all Matsubayashi Ryu Karate. It is
also the longest and most difficult kata, requiring painstaking practice for
more than a decade for mastery. In addition to the 18
kata, 7 yakusoku (promise) kumite forms are practiced.
These forms were heavily influenced by Choki Motobu. The AKF also
practices Tiktin Kata Ichi, and 4 kick exercises.
============================
The Kata Curriculum of the AKF
WHITE BELTS:
Tiktin Kata Ichi
Fukyugata Ichi
Fukyugata Ni
Pinan Shodan
GREEN BELTS:
Pinan Nidan
Pinan Sandan
Pinan Yondan
Pinan Godan
BROWN BELTS:
Ananku
Wankan
Passai
Naihanchi Shodan
SHODAN:
Rohai
Naihanchi Nidan
Wanshu 1
Wanshu 2
Niahanchi Sandan
Chinto
NIDAN:
Gojushiho 1
Gojushiho 2
SANDAN:
Kusanku
============================
View all eighteen
Shorin-Ryu Katas in mpeg format from the Copenhagen Dojo of Denmark (WMKA).
Master Takayoshi Nagamine is currently in production with Tsunami Videos and
producing a series of videos that include the katas listed above. Tsunami videos
can be located at http://http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Tsunami/Pages/matsurev.htm
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