Dentokan Karate & Kobudo Club Northampton

Seidokan Documents & Katas

Kihon Guidelines - download (41kb)
Northampton Syllabus - download (41kb)

KATA: Formal Exercises

KATA - Suggested Kata requirements for each grade.

WEAPONS KATA

WEAPONS KATA - Suggested Kata requirements for each grade.

KATA: Formal Exercises

• SEISAN - means THIRTEEN and is supposedly a continuation of the Naha Kata called SEI-N-CHIN. A derivative of SEISAN Kata was formulated by Funakoshi and was called "HANGETSU" meaning "HALF MOON". The SEISAN Kata traces its origins to the Karate of the Naha district of Okinawa.

• SEISAN BREATHE - The above Kata performed while utilizing a shallow IBUKI (Breathing Method). This also involves executing the Kata's movements in a series of defense and attack situations. That is to say the Kata's movements are not executed singularly but together.

• SANCHIN - "THREE BATTLES", is a Kata of the Naha district that is executed with a strong IBUKI (Breathing Method). This Kata, or variations thereof, is also done by various other styles such as Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Isshin-Ryu, etc.

• ANANKU - Very little is known of the origin of this Kata, its meaning is not known. It is believed by some to have come to us from the Shuri district of Okinawa, but this is only speculation based upon its general appearance and the fact that most Shorin-Ryu masters perform it.

• WANSHU - This Kata is named for the Chinese master that brought this Kata to Okinawa during the late 17th century. Funakoshi derived the Kata of "EMPI" meaning "FLIGHT OF SWALLOW", from this WANSHU Kata. The Kata, WANSHU, is most usually associated with the smaller Tromari district of Okinawa.

• PASSAI - Meaning unknown, believed to have come from the Tomari district. Funakoshi renamed, and altered the Kata. Among the main island Japanese this Kata is usually referred to as "BASSAI", meaning "BREACH THE CASTLE".

• PINAN SHODAN, NIDAN, SANDAN, YONDAN, and GODAN - These Kata were invented in the early 20th century by the famous Karate Grandmaster Yasutsune Itosu. Funakoshi renamed the Kata "HEIAN" meaning "PEACEFULNESS". The exact meaning of Pinan is no longer known.

• NAIHANCHI - This Kata predates the Pinan Kata and was originally practiced in both Shuri and Tomari. Since the meaning of "NAIHANCHI" was lost over time, Funakoshi renamed the  Kata "TEKKI" meaning "HORSE RIDING".

• PASSAI-SHO (sometimes spelled PASSAI-SOL) - Its background is essentially the same as Passai.

• CHINTO - Very little is known about this Kata. Its exact age is not known either, but it is known to have been practiced by Grandmaster Chotoku Kyan. Funakoshi renamed the Kata "GANKAKU" which means - "CRANE ON A ROCK".

• GOJUSHIHO - Literally means "54 MOVEMENTS". It has been conjectured that it has its origins in the "Drunken Style" of Chinese Chuan-Fa (Kempo).

• KUSANKU - This is a very old Kata supposedly brought to Okinawa by the Chinese military attache Kusanku. Kusanku, the attache, was one of the instructors of Grandmaster "Karate" Sakugawa. Funakoshi renamed the Kata "KWANKU" meaning "TO LOOK AT THE SKY".

KATA - Suggested Kata requirements for each grade

• SEISAN - SHICHI (7th) KYU, Yellow Belt

• SEISAN BREATHE - ROK (6th) KYU, Orange Belt

• SANCHIN - GO (5th) KYU, Green Belt

• ANANKU - YON (4th) KYU, Blue Belt

• WANSHU - YON (4th) KYU, Blue Belt

• PASSAI - SAN (3rd) KYU, Brown Belt

• PINAN SHODAN - NI (2nd) KYU, Brown Belt

• PINAN NIDAN - NI (2nd) KYU, Brown Belt

• PINAN SANDAN - IK (lst) KYU, Brown Belt

• PINAN YONDAN - IK (lst) KYU, Brown Belt

• PINAN GODAN - SHO (Ist) DAN, Black Belt

• NAIHANCHI - SHO (lst) DAN, Black Belt

• PASSAI SHO - NI (2nd) DAN, Black Belt

• CHINTO - SAN (3rd) DAN, Black Belt

• GOJUSHIHO - YON (4th) DAN, Black Belt

• KUSANKU - GO (5th) DAN, Black Belt
  

WEAPONS KATA

• SEIDOKAN BO KATA Grandmaster Toma learned this Kata from Grandmaster Shinjato of the NAHA-TE School.

• SEIDOKAN SAI, TONFA AND KAMA KATA - Grandmaster Toma learned these from Grandmaster Shimabuku of the SHURI-TE and TOMMI-TE Schools

• SEIDOKAN IAI KATA - Grandmaster Toma learned these IAI (Quick Draw Sword) Techniques from Grandmaster Uehara of MOTOBU-RYU BU-JUTSU.
  

WEAPONS KATA - Suggested Kata requirements for each grade

• SEIDOKAN BO KATA - SHO (lst-) DAN, Black Belt

• SEIDOKAN SAI KATA - NI (2nd) DAN, Black Belt

• SEIDOKAN TONFA KATA - SAN (3rd) DAN, Black Belt

• SEIDOKAN KAMA KATA - YON (4th) DAN, Black Belt

• SEIDOKAN IAI KATA - GO (5th) DAN, Black Belt
  

KATA - The Meaning

• Relaying of Traditions - The practice of Kata within the context of Okinawan Karate has long been one of the central methods of passing down the old Okinawan form of combative defense. Within the Kata is the BUNKAI (Application) which Is the essence of Okinawan defensive methods. The teaching of Kata without Bunkai makes a Sensei nothing more than a dance instructor.

• As a Form of Exercise - Kata practice can be a most beneficial form of exercise completely unto Itself. Performed at a fast pace. and one right after the other, the Kata works as an aerobic form of exercise. While performing Kata slowly with deep stances and increased tension tends to aid in muscular strength and development.

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