Kata

CIARAN_BOYLE

I know a lot of the guys here are bjj or other martial arts without kata so feel free to ignore it guys

This is for the guys that do Martial arts with Kata (or taolu or hyeong).

What the kata you are working on a lot at the moment and what do you think about it?

I do Shotokan Karate and am working on Tekki Shodan at the moment. I find it a fascinating kata simply because its the first bit of major work I've been doing in horse stance (kiba-dachi). Practicing the kata teaches me a lot about movement in horse stance and some of the applications (bunkai) are interesting too.

Below are videos of Kanazwa, Kawasoe, Assai and Osaka senseis performing the kata

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0KYjlzp2R8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAkA5zAosC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJqOeOGdm28&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rroOQJifbSo

So the rest of you, tell us about your katas, what do you like (or hate) about it and post a vid of someone doing it properly

Damo W

Hi Ciaran,

I recommend reading the writings of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy (www.koryu-uchinadi.com), as one of the worlds leading authorities on functional application practices of Kata, that’s where you should start, if your seriously interested in a deep understanding of Kata and its application practices.

Here are two general interviews, one ‘The Shotokan Way’, site. http://www.theshotokanway.com/interviewwithpatmccarthy.html

And the other in Meibukan Magazine http://www.nsvk.nl/downloads/meibukanmagazineno7.pdf

Damo W

Could I also recommend that you take a moment to read this provocative article on Matsuyama Koen/Park [in the heart of Kume Village] to reconsider the history and origins of Okinawan kata:

Available here:
http://mccarthy-sensei.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/matsuyama-koen-park-theory_03.html

And here as an e-book:
http://www.karatebyjesse.com/free-karatebyjesse-ebook-the-matsuyama-theory-feat-sensei-patrick-mccarthy/

Sempai

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=436621406399782
I think this is a public video. Probably the best team performance of Unsu I've seen.


also on youtube with Sochin and Unsu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oeQte_938j4

Charlie3dan

Sempai wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=436621406399782
I think this is a public video. Probably the best team performance of Unsu I've seen.

That's pretty superb alright.

I was watching this performance as it happened and it's one of my favourite team kata displays. (No bunkai required in this comp).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4ADrTOmGY

Damo W

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

working on Tekki Shodan at the moment. I find it a fascinating kata simply because its the first bit of major work I've been doing in horse stance (kiba-dachi). Practicing the kata teaches me a lot about movement in horse stance and some of the applications (bunkai) are interesting too.

Here an interesting exercise with Naihanchin (Tekki), moving off the linear embusen...

lounakin

I do ****o-Ryu and this is a link of one of my favourite katas called Nipaipo (****o-ruy has about 60 katas, most are very similar to shotokan, others are not).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYHRnQD-fRU

Edit: It seems the name of the karate style is rude to Boards.ie so it's been blocked... sure you can find it yourselves. pfff

Damo W

lounakin wrote: »

I do ****o-Ryu and this is a link of one of my favourite katas called Nipaipo (****o-ruy has about 60 katas, most are very similar to shotokan, others are not).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYHRnQD-fRU

Edit: It seems the name of the karate style is rude to Boards.ie so it's been blocked... sure you can find it yourselves. pfff

Nepai/Nipaipo

There is no certainty as to how Nepai found its way to Okinawa simply because there is no definitive source from which to call upon.
We are, however, certain that Chinese quanfa practitioner, Wu Hsienhui [Go Kenki] introduced one such version (see below...)

to Okinawa when he taught it to Kyoda Juhatsu and Mabuni Kenwa.

Kyoda’s style, Tou-On Ryu, still preserves [Go Kenki’s] Nepai. It seems clear that Mabuni’s Nipaipo is, in fact, Nepai, albeit different from the Tou-On Ryu version. It seems reasonable to deduce that both Nepai and Nipaipo are from the same source.

Zen65

Sempai wrote: »

I think this is a public video. Probably the best team performance of Unsu I've seen.

I'll never understand why the viewing public insist on cheering and applauding after the jump in this kata rather than wait until it's over. It is reasonable to assume most of the spectators are practising karateka themselves, and they should know better.

As for the performance itself, yes it's very good, in the sense of being athletic and sharp. Some of the exaggerated pauses are too theatrical for my liking though.

My personal favourite katas are Sochin and Nijushiho.

Here's an excellent example of Sochin from YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycrxxGtpt5g

.... and here's a far-from-excellent version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDvviugSxGM

(no disrespect to the student in the video intended)

I think it just goes to show that caution is needed when finding advice on the internet.

Z

Sempai

Good execution of Sochin. Tough kata.

Saw this posted from the All Japan 2012. Group kata for Kanku Dai and nice Bunkai. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQyAMBv-P2A&feature=youtu.be&a

Damo W

Following on from Go Kenki in the post above , I had the pleasure of learing Ryushan Kata during the summer months from Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, often considered a 'rare' kata.

Here's a little info on it, passed down through direct transmission and carried on orally [i.e. without being written down] it is believed the name Ryushan refers to a flowing dragon. While we’re not 100% sure how Ryushan was originally written in Chinese [Japanese] the commonly used way today is like this龍山 and means mountain dragon. Because of its flowing techniques, footwork and dynamic body mechanics the most common belief is that it represents the Shaolin Dragon style…or more likely a southern derivative from Fujian Province. In Chinese mythology the Dragon traditionally symbolizes potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. The Emperor of China traditionally used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial power and strength. In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to the dragon while incapable people with no achievements are compared with other, disesteemed creatures, such as the worm. A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms feature references to the dragon, for example: "Hoping one's son will become a dragon" (望子成龍, i.e. be as a dragon).

This kata is thought to have found its way to Okinawa around 1915 by a Fujian Chinese Kung Fu instructor named Wu [aka Go Kenki]. Born in 1886 in Fuzhou, Wu had studied several southern kinds of Chinese boxing including Yongchun, which he later specialized in. Wu belonged to a family of Tea Merchants but decided to depart China during a period of unpredictable politics and radical militarization. Although many weary Fujian Chinese made their way to Taiwan during that untenable era Wu decided upon relocating to Okinawa in 1912 to set up his business ads a Tea Merchant in Kumemura, the Chinatown district of Naha. Settling down, he later married a local Okinawan girl named Yoshkawa Chiru, had a daughter, quietly ran his business, taught kung fu in the evenings to a few local enthusiasts and lived out the rest of his life on the island before passing away in 1940 at 55 years old.

During the early years of his arrival he enjoyed morning training with his friend, Tang Daiji [aka To Daiki - 1888-1937] at a local neighborhood park, Matsuyama Koen I]see Matsuyama Theory above[/I. Coming into contact with other local enthusiasts through his business, community social activities and training in the park it wasn’t long before he started sharing his knowledge and teaching his art to others. Within ten years Master Wu became well known as a local authority in the Chinese fighting arts and influenced the development of several young enthusiasts; Miyagi Chojun [1888-1953: Goju Ryu], Mabuni Kenwa [1889-1952: ****o Ryu], Chitose Tsuyoshi [1898-1984: Chito Ryu], Hanashiro Chomo [1869-1945: Koryu Uchinadi], Kyoda Juhatsu [1887 – 1968: To’ On Ryu], etc. Although not a lot is known about its history Ryushan is one of the several routines taught by Master Wu during his time… others include, Happoren, Nepai and Hakutsuru.

Damo W

Here is an example of Kururunfa and a two person drill.....

Andrew H

Some very nice Kata's shown thanks for sharing. Here is a White Crane Kung Fu, 2 Short Rods form demonstrated by Tai Ngo:

Tai Ngo performing a Preying Mantis form:

Bruce Crawford performing a White Crane Staff form: