Karate Quandries

Who is credited with inventing the Taikyoku kata? Upon what kata are they based?

Gichin Funakoshi. He based them on the Pinan (Heian) kata, but then I am sure you knew that. However while I was researching this item I found out that Goju karate also uses the Taikyoku katas but they have altered them to reflect their style (e.g. they incorporate Shiko Dachi and Sanchin stances).

What is claimed to be the oldest kata in karate and where did it come from?

Sanchin Kata. We often state that Sanchin is the oldest kata in karate and as such its origins are uncertain. However, the legends are that it goes all the way back to Bodhidharma and the exercises he taught Chinese Buddhist monks at the Shaolin Temple. One version of its ancestry is that Kanryo Higaonna, founder of Naha-Te, brought Sanchin Kata from China to Okinawa. Higaonna taught the kata to Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu, who in turn taught Gogen Yamaguchi whose student Nei-Chi So taught Mas Oyama who was Kaicho's teacher. Miyagi modified the kata by replacing the open hands Chinese version with closed fists to emphasize the hard aspects of Goju-Ryu.tas but they have altered them to reflect their style (e.g. they incorporate Shiko Dachi and Sanchin stances).

The Seido kata were developed by Kaicho and are specific to our style. However, all the rest of our katas come from either Shotokan or Goju ryu. Can you tell which katas came from which style and their distinguishing characteristics?

(a) Shotokan or the Northern Kata: Master Funakoshi is said to have derived these kata from northern Chinese kempo and Shorin Ryu, the Okinawan karate style based on Chinese Shaolin (i.e. "Shorin") kempo. These kata utilise long, powerful stances and strong blocks and strikes. The Shotokan Kata practiced in Seido are:

• Taikyoku Sono Ichi, Ni and San
• Pinan Sono Ichi, Ni, San, Yon and Go
• Yantsu
• Tsuki no Kata
• Kanku
• Koryugojushiho, or Sushiho (Kyokushin), or Gojushiho (Shotokan)

As can be seen the Seido kata are strongly influenced by the Northern kata

(b) Goju or the Southern Kata: These kata are said to come from southern Chinese kempo. The movements in these kata are more circular than those in the Northern Kata and incorporate ibuki breathing. The Goju derived kata practiced in Seido are:

• Sanchin no Kata
• Gekisai Dai and Sho
• Tensho
• Saiha
• Seienchin

Which kyu grade kata do not use Zenkutsu dachi?

Sanchin and Tensho

Which kyu grade kata uses Nekoashi dachi?

Pinan sono Ichi (the fourth move)

What is the difference between Kokustu dachi and Nekoashi dachi?

Kokustu dachi has 70% of the weight on the back foot (there is still a significant amount of weight on the front foot) and the distance between the back foot and the front foot is about shoulder width. Nekoashi dachi has 90% of the weight on the back foot (very little weight is on the front) and there is only a about fist distance between the front and back foot.

What are the basic principles that apply to learning stances?

Stances must be practiced like all other parts of karate. The Japanese say that it takes three years just to learn to stand properly (which is code for keep working on those stances people).

Both rooted and transitional stances require:

• A dropping or relaxing of the shoulders
• Maintenance of the breath and tension in the seika tanden (maintain stability in the lower abdomen, don't wobble)

Why do we learn kata?

• They are traditional link use to our martial arts heritage (it is important to know where we come from)
• They are useful learning tools assisting students with the transition from basic stationary techniques to movement - teaching balance, rhythm, coordination, and weight shifting
• They are, or should be, physically demanding, at the end of each kata the student should feel as if they have given everything to its execution. Thus they assist in the development of endurance and strength.
• They should, over time, assist in the development of the student's mental attitude, teaching the mind to be calm in the face of difficulty
• Over time they allow the student, within the framework of the kata, to develop their own style (everyone personalises their kata)
• From a personal perspective I believe a kata done well should always be hard. In a kata there is no place to hide or slack off and the challenge is always there. When a black belt undertakes Taikyoku sono ichi they execute it with the same intensity and quest for improvement as they do when they attempt their most advanced kata.