Introduction
One of the most important training methods in karate is the kata, or formal exercise. Kata contain a number of pre-arranged defensive moves that are performed in a fixed order of succession against several imaginary opponents. Kata contain the various hand and foot techniques used in karate and they include rapid changes in technique, speed, balance, posture, position, breathing and muscle tension. Kata were put together after many years of study by the founding masters of karate and then passwe down and incorporated into different styles.
It is important to note that all Isshinryu kata begin with a defensive technique, following the premise that students are only to use karate as a last resort. An attacking movement quicly follows the opening defensive technique.
Tatsuo Shimabuku selected two Gojo-ryu kata and five Sorin-ryu kata and adapted them to his new style. He then developed an eighth kata that incorporated some of his favorite techniques and concepts, including portions from the other seven selected katas.
Seisan
The first kata learned by students in the Isshinryu system is called Seisan. In some styles it is an advanced kata taught only to black belts. This kata was developed by a famous Chinese martial artist, Master Seisan (or Seisan). He was a great master from the Pangai Noon style of southern Chinese boxing. He was sent from China to Okinawa in 1588 by the Chinese Emperor to teach Chinese boxing. He remained on Okinawa until 1600, just prior to the Japanese invasion. Master Seisan had legendary power and ability. Seisan is believed to be the oldest kata still being practiced in Okinawa. The Isshinryu version, derived from Shorin-ryu, is believed to be close to the original.
Master Chotoku Kyan is credited with teaching Seisan to Master Shimabuku. Master Kyan learned it from Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, who most likely learned it from Master Tode Sakagawa or one of the Chinese masters when he was in China. Peichan Takahara would have taught Seisan Master Sakagawa.
Seisan is one of the longest and complex of any beginner's kata. Most styles begin teaching small introductory kata immediately after the student masters the basics. There are usually three that teach all angles of attack.
The kiai in this kata is on the last reverse punch. You will, however, find interpretations that call for two kiais: one on the fourth front kick and one on the last front kick.
Seiuchin
The origins of Seiuchin kata may lie in the Hsing-I school (one of the three Chinese internal systems). Its name can be translated as "marching far quietly," “lull in the storm,” or "war kata." The kata is characterized by its deep stance, controlled breathing and dynamic tension. The kata has no kicking techniques.
It is believed the kata is named after a famous Chinese martial artist Seiuchin (or Seiunchin). Master Seiuchin lived in the 15th or 16th century and excelled in Southern Chinese boxing. The kata was developed by the Okinawan Master Kanryo Higashionna. His top student, Chojun Miyagi, taught the Seiuchin to Master Shimabuku.
Seiuchin has two kiai points. Both occur during the uppercut strikes, after the double blocks (middle and low).
Naihanchi
Naihanchi kata is believed to have come directly from China to Okinawa by Sakagawa; however, its original composer is unknown. Sakagawa studied under Master Kusanku for six years in a small Chinese community near Naha, hence the name, Naihanchi. Tode Sakagawa taught Soken Matsumura who founded Kobayashi-ryu (Young Forest style), one of the three branches of Shorin-ryu. Matsumura taught Choki Motobu and Chotoku Kyan. Master Shimabuku studied under both of these Masters. The name “Naihanchi” can also be translated as "iron horse."
In the early 20th century, Naihanchi was divided into three parts due to its length and difficulties in teaching the kata. Tatsuo Shimabuku used what he considered the best techniques of each kata and combined them to form the Isshinryu version. It is the only Isshinryu kata without forward of backward steps.
The unique aspect of this kata is that it is a mirror image of itself. That is, once you learn half of the kata, the remainder is exactly the same, but in reverse. The kata was designed for fighting in an alley, on a bridge, or with one's back to the wall.
Practicing Naihanchi can help build and gain control of the body’s muscular groups from the waist-down, but its primary purpose is to teach technique. Naihanchi is noted for its simultaneous blocking and striking combinations and leg sweep/sweep avoidance techniques. The entire kata is performed in Naihanchi stance. The kiai occurs on the final vertical punch.
Wansu
Wansu is named after the famous Chinese envoy, Wang Ji, which is pronounced Wansu in Okinawan. Wang Ji was sent to the Tomari region of Okinawa in 1683 where he taught "Shaolin White Crane Fist" boxing. He stressed the importance of blocking and countering while using evasive foot maneuvers. It is referred to as the "dumping kata" due to the throwing technique employed.
This kata consists of very strong attacks and defensive positions. An important lesson of Wansu is to seize the advantage by changing the distance between opponents. The kiai is performed on the dumping throw.
Chinto
According to legend, Chinto kata is named after a Chinese sailor and martial artist who was ship wrecked on Okinawa. Chinto was forced to hide from the Okinawan natives by day and raid their food supplies at night to survive. The king sent a famous warrior to arrest the sailor. He found Chinto, but each time he tried to capture the sailor, Chinto would evade his attack. The warrior was so impressed with the techniques he used that he sought out Chinto to learn his techniques and later developed a kata from them.
Chinto was far more likely a Chinese envoy or military attaché who taught a number of Okinawans. Nevertheless, both the legend and other accounts place Sokon Matsumura as the instructor who passed Chinto kata down to Chotoku Kyan who in turn taught it to Master Shimabuku. Whether or not Matsumura was the warrior of legend who fought and then befriended the “shipwrecked sailor” Chinto we may never know. “Chinto” can also be translated to mean, “fighting to the East.”
Chinto is a form with very elusive footwork. The practitioner is constantly shifting his or her weight and body posture, using many transitional stances. Like Naihanchi, Chinto is performed on a single line. After the opening bow, the karateka shifts to a forty-five degree line, and remains on that line through the entire kata. The kiai occurs on the throw.
Kusanku
Kusanku kata is a highly advanced kata, which means, "to view the sky.” In 1750 A.D., the Chinese military attaché and public official named Kong Su Kung (pronounced Kusanku in Okinawan) was sent to Okinawa. While there he taught Chinese Kempo (Chuan Fa) to Tode Sakagawa and Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura. Kusanku is said to have learned Chuan Fa from a Shaolin monk. Sakugawa studied under Peichin Takahara and met Kusanku by accident. Mischievously Sakugawa tried to push Kusanku off a bridge into a river. Master Kusanku quickly stepped aside and grabbed Sakugawa thereby shocking him with his tremendous speed and power. Kusanku made the remark that Sakugawa needed to learn the "why" of the martial arts, not only the "how".
When Sakugawa was around 30 years old he developed Kusanku kata from a series of techniques he learned from Kusanku and Takahara. He named the kata in honor of his instructor, Kusanku. He then passed the kata down to Master Matsumura who taught it to Master Kyan who then passed it on to Master Shimabuku around 1926.
Kusanku has been called the “night fighting kata.” Despite techniques and concepts for fighting at night this should not distract from the versatility of kata. There are two kiais—the first on the second elbow while on knee, the second on the elbow after the side push kick, backfist combo.
Sunsu
Master Tatsuo Shimabuku created Sunsu kata. It means "Strong Man" or "Iron Man." This was also Shimabuku’s nickname. He developed the kata by incorporating some of his favorite techniques and concepts, including portions from the other seven kata.
Sunsu may be the hardest of all Isshinryu kata to perform with the correct balance, speed and coordination. It is a highly advanced kata that tends to confuse many students as they sometimes drift back to the originating kata while performing Sunsu. That Master Shimabuku considered this while conceiving Sunsu is in keeping with stories of his teaching style and the very nature of Isshinryu itself.
The floor pattern of the kata is a cross and the student is defending from all four directions. Although Master Tatsuo Shimabuku combined the main points of all other empty hand kata into Sunsu, Kusanku and Wansu have the most influence.
The kiai occurs on the throw.
Sanchin
Sanchin kata means three battles or conflicts (some believe mind, body and spirit). There are many Sanchin kata, but all are basically the same. Many people believe that Sanchin kata is older than Seisan and Chinto. Bodhidharma or Daruma is usually credited with originating the principle of modern Sanchin Kata. However, Kanryo Higashionna and Chojun Miyagi are usually credited with developing the Sanchin kata, as we know them today. Higashionna was an Okinawan accountant from the city of Naha. He traveled to China and met with a Shaolin Chuan Fa Master named Woo Liu Chin from Fukien province whom he studied with for some 20 years.
Higashionna returned to Okinawa and established a dojo in Naha, a section of Tonno. He drilled his students on the Taoist breathing methods he had learned in China. The method became known as Sanchin Kata and was practiced with all opened hands. Higashionna became known for his "unchokeable neck". He would allow his students to put a rope around his neck and try to choke him.
Chojun Miyagi altered the form by practicing it with closed fists rather than open hands. He wanted to emphasize the hard aspect of his newly formed Goju karate style. As Shimabuku learned the kata from Miyagi, the Isshinryu version is derived from Goju-ryu with very few modifications, if any at all. It is a respiratory and isotonic kata that incorporates muscular contraction in the absence of resistance. Sanchin exhibits the power and strength of Isshinryu. As in Seiuchin kata, there are no kicking techniques.
It is the only Isshinryu kata that does not contain a kiai.
One of the most important training methods in karate is the kata, or formal exercise. Kata contain a number of pre-arranged defensive moves that are performed in a fixed order of succession against several imaginary opponents. Kata contain the various hand and foot techniques used in karate and they include rapid changes in technique, speed, balance, posture, position, breathing and muscle tension. Kata were put together after many years of study by the founding masters of karate and then passwe down and incorporated into different styles.
It is important to note that all Isshinryu kata begin with a defensive technique, following the premise that students are only to use karate as a last resort. An attacking movement quicly follows the opening defensive technique.
Tatsuo Shimabuku selected two Gojo-ryu kata and five Sorin-ryu kata and adapted them to his new style. He then developed an eighth kata that incorporated some of his favorite techniques and concepts, including portions from the other seven selected katas.
Seisan
The first kata learned by students in the Isshinryu system is called Seisan. In some styles it is an advanced kata taught only to black belts. This kata was developed by a famous Chinese martial artist, Master Seisan (or Seisan). He was a great master from the Pangai Noon style of southern Chinese boxing. He was sent from China to Okinawa in 1588 by the Chinese Emperor to teach Chinese boxing. He remained on Okinawa until 1600, just prior to the Japanese invasion. Master Seisan had legendary power and ability. Seisan is believed to be the oldest kata still being practiced in Okinawa. The Isshinryu version, derived from Shorin-ryu, is believed to be close to the original.
Master Chotoku Kyan is credited with teaching Seisan to Master Shimabuku. Master Kyan learned it from Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, who most likely learned it from Master Tode Sakagawa or one of the Chinese masters when he was in China. Peichan Takahara would have taught Seisan Master Sakagawa.
Seisan is one of the longest and complex of any beginner's kata. Most styles begin teaching small introductory kata immediately after the student masters the basics. There are usually three that teach all angles of attack.
The kiai in this kata is on the last reverse punch. You will, however, find interpretations that call for two kiais: one on the fourth front kick and one on the last front kick.
Seiuchin
The origins of Seiuchin kata may lie in the Hsing-I school (one of the three Chinese internal systems). Its name can be translated as "marching far quietly," “lull in the storm,” or "war kata." The kata is characterized by its deep stance, controlled breathing and dynamic tension. The kata has no kicking techniques.
It is believed the kata is named after a famous Chinese martial artist Seiuchin (or Seiunchin). Master Seiuchin lived in the 15th or 16th century and excelled in Southern Chinese boxing. The kata was developed by the Okinawan Master Kanryo Higashionna. His top student, Chojun Miyagi, taught the Seiuchin to Master Shimabuku.
Seiuchin has two kiai points. Both occur during the uppercut strikes, after the double blocks (middle and low).
Naihanchi
Naihanchi kata is believed to have come directly from China to Okinawa by Sakagawa; however, its original composer is unknown. Sakagawa studied under Master Kusanku for six years in a small Chinese community near Naha, hence the name, Naihanchi. Tode Sakagawa taught Soken Matsumura who founded Kobayashi-ryu (Young Forest style), one of the three branches of Shorin-ryu. Matsumura taught Choki Motobu and Chotoku Kyan. Master Shimabuku studied under both of these Masters. The name “Naihanchi” can also be translated as "iron horse."
In the early 20th century, Naihanchi was divided into three parts due to its length and difficulties in teaching the kata. Tatsuo Shimabuku used what he considered the best techniques of each kata and combined them to form the Isshinryu version. It is the only Isshinryu kata without forward of backward steps.
The unique aspect of this kata is that it is a mirror image of itself. That is, once you learn half of the kata, the remainder is exactly the same, but in reverse. The kata was designed for fighting in an alley, on a bridge, or with one's back to the wall.
Practicing Naihanchi can help build and gain control of the body’s muscular groups from the waist-down, but its primary purpose is to teach technique. Naihanchi is noted for its simultaneous blocking and striking combinations and leg sweep/sweep avoidance techniques. The entire kata is performed in Naihanchi stance. The kiai occurs on the final vertical punch.
Wansu
Wansu is named after the famous Chinese envoy, Wang Ji, which is pronounced Wansu in Okinawan. Wang Ji was sent to the Tomari region of Okinawa in 1683 where he taught "Shaolin White Crane Fist" boxing. He stressed the importance of blocking and countering while using evasive foot maneuvers. It is referred to as the "dumping kata" due to the throwing technique employed.
This kata consists of very strong attacks and defensive positions. An important lesson of Wansu is to seize the advantage by changing the distance between opponents. The kiai is performed on the dumping throw.
Chinto
According to legend, Chinto kata is named after a Chinese sailor and martial artist who was ship wrecked on Okinawa. Chinto was forced to hide from the Okinawan natives by day and raid their food supplies at night to survive. The king sent a famous warrior to arrest the sailor. He found Chinto, but each time he tried to capture the sailor, Chinto would evade his attack. The warrior was so impressed with the techniques he used that he sought out Chinto to learn his techniques and later developed a kata from them.
Chinto was far more likely a Chinese envoy or military attaché who taught a number of Okinawans. Nevertheless, both the legend and other accounts place Sokon Matsumura as the instructor who passed Chinto kata down to Chotoku Kyan who in turn taught it to Master Shimabuku. Whether or not Matsumura was the warrior of legend who fought and then befriended the “shipwrecked sailor” Chinto we may never know. “Chinto” can also be translated to mean, “fighting to the East.”
Chinto is a form with very elusive footwork. The practitioner is constantly shifting his or her weight and body posture, using many transitional stances. Like Naihanchi, Chinto is performed on a single line. After the opening bow, the karateka shifts to a forty-five degree line, and remains on that line through the entire kata. The kiai occurs on the throw.
Kusanku
Kusanku kata is a highly advanced kata, which means, "to view the sky.” In 1750 A.D., the Chinese military attaché and public official named Kong Su Kung (pronounced Kusanku in Okinawan) was sent to Okinawa. While there he taught Chinese Kempo (Chuan Fa) to Tode Sakagawa and Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura. Kusanku is said to have learned Chuan Fa from a Shaolin monk. Sakugawa studied under Peichin Takahara and met Kusanku by accident. Mischievously Sakugawa tried to push Kusanku off a bridge into a river. Master Kusanku quickly stepped aside and grabbed Sakugawa thereby shocking him with his tremendous speed and power. Kusanku made the remark that Sakugawa needed to learn the "why" of the martial arts, not only the "how".
When Sakugawa was around 30 years old he developed Kusanku kata from a series of techniques he learned from Kusanku and Takahara. He named the kata in honor of his instructor, Kusanku. He then passed the kata down to Master Matsumura who taught it to Master Kyan who then passed it on to Master Shimabuku around 1926.
Kusanku has been called the “night fighting kata.” Despite techniques and concepts for fighting at night this should not distract from the versatility of kata. There are two kiais—the first on the second elbow while on knee, the second on the elbow after the side push kick, backfist combo.
Sunsu
Master Tatsuo Shimabuku created Sunsu kata. It means "Strong Man" or "Iron Man." This was also Shimabuku’s nickname. He developed the kata by incorporating some of his favorite techniques and concepts, including portions from the other seven kata.
Sunsu may be the hardest of all Isshinryu kata to perform with the correct balance, speed and coordination. It is a highly advanced kata that tends to confuse many students as they sometimes drift back to the originating kata while performing Sunsu. That Master Shimabuku considered this while conceiving Sunsu is in keeping with stories of his teaching style and the very nature of Isshinryu itself.
The floor pattern of the kata is a cross and the student is defending from all four directions. Although Master Tatsuo Shimabuku combined the main points of all other empty hand kata into Sunsu, Kusanku and Wansu have the most influence.
The kiai occurs on the throw.
Sanchin
Sanchin kata means three battles or conflicts (some believe mind, body and spirit). There are many Sanchin kata, but all are basically the same. Many people believe that Sanchin kata is older than Seisan and Chinto. Bodhidharma or Daruma is usually credited with originating the principle of modern Sanchin Kata. However, Kanryo Higashionna and Chojun Miyagi are usually credited with developing the Sanchin kata, as we know them today. Higashionna was an Okinawan accountant from the city of Naha. He traveled to China and met with a Shaolin Chuan Fa Master named Woo Liu Chin from Fukien province whom he studied with for some 20 years.
Higashionna returned to Okinawa and established a dojo in Naha, a section of Tonno. He drilled his students on the Taoist breathing methods he had learned in China. The method became known as Sanchin Kata and was practiced with all opened hands. Higashionna became known for his "unchokeable neck". He would allow his students to put a rope around his neck and try to choke him.
Chojun Miyagi altered the form by practicing it with closed fists rather than open hands. He wanted to emphasize the hard aspect of his newly formed Goju karate style. As Shimabuku learned the kata from Miyagi, the Isshinryu version is derived from Goju-ryu with very few modifications, if any at all. It is a respiratory and isotonic kata that incorporates muscular contraction in the absence of resistance. Sanchin exhibits the power and strength of Isshinryu. As in Seiuchin kata, there are no kicking techniques.
It is the only Isshinryu kata that does not contain a kiai.