THE KATA OF SHORINJIRYU KOSHINKAI KARATEDO
Kata are the formal, solo exercises of karate. Many of the kata date back several hundreds years, and they contain a range of techniques, strategies and principles for responding to commonly forms of inter-personal violence. Kata are an important practice, and their study, along with the practice of techniques from them with partners, forms the basis of karate.
Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo preserves and continues to practice the various kata passed on to it from senior practitioners of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, including Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka or Hanshi Shunji Watanabe. A short introduction to the main kata practiced at the Shishikan Dojo is provided below.
NAIHANCHIN SHO
Naihanchin means “sideways fighting” or “inside fighting”, and is one of the oldest and most important of the kata of the Shuri-te karate lineage. Naihanchin Sho (“lesser Naihanchin”) is an introductory form that teaches the basic movements of Naihanchin, and the associated strategies and defensive themes. Naihanchin Sho is the first kata learnt at the Shishikan Dojo, and is taught in conjunction with correspending self defence applications. Competency at this kata is required for promotion to Yellow Belt (9th and 8th Kyu).
HAKKYOKUKEN
Hakkyokuken is the Japanese pronunciation of Baji Qu’an, a lesser known Chinese art that was very much a palace guard art. It is native to northern China (Beijing), and is brutal and quite effective. There is some evidence to suggest that Kudaka Kori Kaiso studied Baji Qu’an during his time in China. Hakkyokuken is sometimes known as ‘Kenkoken Hakkyoku. Hakkyokuken must be learned prior to promotion to Orange Belt (7th and 6th Kyu)
NIJUSHIHO
Nijushiho was one of the three fundamental kata (along with Naihanchin and Sanchin) emphasised by the founder of Shorinjiryu. It is a flowing and angular form, and is probably handed down from the lineage of Kensei Anko Azato. As such, the kata emphasises evasion and defence against attacks with a bladed weapon. Nijushiho means “24 techniques”. Nijushiho must be learned competently prior to promotion to Green Belt (5th and 4th Kyu).
BASSAI
A very old kata, dating back to the Shuri Palace, Bassai can literally mean “to storm a fortress”. It is a signature kata of the Shuri-te lineage (which includes Shorinjiryu, Shorin-ryu and Shotokan), and was a personal favourite of Master Chotoku Kyan, the principal teacher of the founder of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan, Shinan Kori Hisataka. An intermediate to advanced kata, an understanding of Bassai is required for promotion to Brown Belt (3rd and 2nd Kyu)
SEISAN
The origins of Seisan, which means “13” (Okinawan language), are lost in the sands of time. Forms of Seisan are found in the three core branches of Okinawan karate – Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te, and major versions are traced back to Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, Master Seisho Aragaki and Master Kanryo Higaonna. The main version practiced in Shorinjiryu Koshinkai is the Matsumura version. A knowledge of Seisan is required for promotion to 1st Kyu (brown belt with black tips).
SANKAKUTOBI
Sankakutobi is a relatively new form, based on the Kudaka (Hisataka) family teachings passed down in the series of Sankakutobi Kumite. The kata form of Sankakutobi was developed by Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka, and is unique to Shorinjiryu karate. It is long and energetic form, and contains many techniques for which the 11 Sankakutobi kumite (divided into three series) provide the applications. Sankakutobi kata and the corresponding Sankakutobi Shodan Ichi kumite are required for promotion to Shodan Ho (probationary black belt) and after completion of the probationary period, Shodan.
SANCHIN
Another old form, and along with Naihanchin and Nijushiho, one of the three foundational kata emphasised by Shinan Kori Hisataka. Meaning “three battles”, Sanchin emphasises integration of mind, body and technique (shin-gi-tai), breathing and posture. This form of Sanchin is unique to Shorinjiryu, and is required for promotion to Nidan.
CHINTO
Meaning “fighting to the east”, Chinto is a unique form that imparts strategy for fighting on uneven ground, and for using the sun to your advantage in an encounter. As such, Chinto teaches the practitioner to integrate the aspects of ten (heavens or the atmosphere), chi (earth or terrain) and jin (man). It is an old kata representative of the ti (te) of the village of Tomari. It is believed that Chinto was developed by “Bushi” Matsumura, based on lessons he learned from a shipwrecked Chinese martial artist who resided for a time in the Tomari area. This kata is for promotion to Sandan.
SOCHIN
Sochin (Tranquil Force) may have its origins in martial arts history in Dragon Style Kung Fu and then later come through the Naha-te school in Okinawa, where it was taught by Seisho Arakaki. According to legend, Higaonna Kanryo learned it from him then passed it down to Kenzo Mabuni, the founder of Shito-Ryu. The rhythm of the kata is dynamic, it is characterized by slow, deliberate movements interspersed with explosive out-bursts of speed. This kata is learned for promotion to Yondan.
KUSANKU DAI
One of three versions of the Kusanku (aka Kusoku) form practiced in Shorinjiryu karate, Kusanku Dai is the highest level kata practiced in Shorinjiryu Koshinkai, and is studied by Yondan practitioners. It is believed that the various forms of Kusanku trace their history back to a Chinese military attache to the Ryukyu Kingdom who bore the title Kong Su Kung, pronounced Kusanku in Okinawan language. Among the attache’s students in Okinawa was the master Kanga “Toudi” (Karate) Sakugawa, who took Kong Su Kung’s teachings and created the form now known as Kusanku Dai. Kusanku Dai traced its roots through master Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura to the original form.