Naihanchi Kata Research

Naihanchi Kata is what is taught in our dojo to green belts. Part of Isshinryu Karate it came from the old Shuri-te style of Okinawan Karate (also one of the first kata taught in Shorin Ryu). The vibe I am picking up is that the students do not value it as much as the other Isshinryu Karate kata. "It is the shortest kata. It doesn't have any kicks. It if very difficult."

The Tallahassee Karate Club blog has a very interesting article on Naihanchi Shodan. The video clip of Shinzato Sensei doing Naihanchi Shodan is unreal. Granted this is not the exact same kata but it is the same. Can you say fa jing?

Quoting the blog.

Naihanchi is a deep kata that teaches the student most of the principles they will need to be able to apply in all their other kata. By tucking the koshi and feeling the connection between the waist and the lats, the student can begin to learn to make power without relying on the turning motion inherent in other kata.

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We often practice Naihanchi very slowly, combined with circular hip and arm motions. To the outsider, this may look a little like Tai Chi and not karate. Practicing this way helps the student to analyze each movement in a critical way to understand where the power points occur, how to make a connection between the bottom half and the top half of their body, and how to improve their overall body dynamic. Then, when it is performed fast, with full power, the student can retain this wisdom in their performance and make power in all the right places.

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Sensei Don Bohan has a very informative page on Naihanchi Kata.

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There is a Ryuku Kempo site with a QuickTime video of Naihanchi Shoda. Compare this hard toughguy style to the spiral energy of Shinzato Sensei above. Shinzato Sensei is something special!

First Year in Karate

A year ago was my first promotion in Isshinryu Karate. Yesterday I took to camera to the dojo to record pictures of Mr. Oliver, our teacher, Ms. Bloom and myself.

Ms. Bloom and are climbing the ranks together. She is a shining example of someone following the principle taught at Joslin's East/West Karate.

I was just getting use to the physical conditioning (push-ups and sit-ups) when we go and get promoted out of the beginner class. There is a 50% increase in the number of conditioning exercises in the advanced classes. Ouh, ouh, ouh being it on!

Naihanchi Kata

This kata is of Shuri-te (Shorinryu) origin, the third kata taught at our dojo. The name means Iron Horse. Alternate meanings of the name are surreptitious steps, sideways fighting, and horse riding straddle stance.

The kata has 67 moves, against 4-8 attackers from the front and sides. Naihanchi Kata is easily recognized by the fact that all movements are on the lateral line, staying on a straight track as if against the edge of a cliff or wall. It takes 35 seconds to execute.

Here is an old film (1966) of Master Tatsuo Shimabuku performing the kata, 1966.

Joslin's East West Karate—Naihanchi Kata Facts

What is the nickname for the Naihanchi Stance? Iron Horse Stance
What type of attacker are we defending against? Chinese Martial Artist
What is this kata known for? Lateral movement
What part of the body is being developed? Lower body
In the Naihanchi stance the toes are pointed inward (pigeon-toed), how many degrees? Ten
Traditionally where might you be defending yourself? Rice paddy, foot-bridge or with back against the wall

Seiuchin Kata

This kata is of Goju Ryu origin, Master Miyagi, the second kata taught at our dojo. The name means War Kata. It may also be translated as the storm within the calm or the lull in the storm.

The kata has 126 moves, against 6 attackers but contains no kicks. It takes 55 seconds to execute.

The kata begins slowly with power and ibuki breathing from a horse stance. The floor pattern is a Y for the most part. After the intense opening the kata explodes into a full power fast kata.

Here is an old film (1966) of Master Tatsuo Shimabuku performing the kata.

Test for Gokyu

This week I tested for my next rank, Green Belt. Master Dave Joslin watched Ms. Bloom and I practicing the kata (we though we were practicing) and told Mr. Rypma to complete the paperwork for green.

As a green belt I now attend the intermediate classes with other green belts and the purple belts. The calisthenics are increased by 50% over the beginning classes.