Shotokan Karate Kata Vol.1 E-Book

Joachim Grupp

• Herausgeber: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2009

Seitenzahl: 95

Beschreibung

The Kata are the backbone of Karate. Continually practising them allows the whole spectrum of possibilities contained in Karate to be revealed. The Kata consist of a fascinating multitude of techniques that permit defence in close contact as well as at medium- and long- distance from your partner. Situations where the Kata can be applied are comprehensively explained in this book. Additionally, the special features of any Karate style are expressed through the Kata. The Kata contained in this book have their roots in the Shotokan Karate style. The book aims to assist in understanding them better, to get to know the situations when they can be applied, and to show how to improve them in the daily training routine as well as in grading tests and competitions. 13 Kata are presented in detail using the Bunkai method: • Heian 1 to Heian 5, Tekki 1 - the basic Kata up to the Brown Belt • Tekki 2 and Tekki 3 • Bassai-Dai, Empi, Jion, Hangetsu and Kanku-Dai - the first of the Master Kata

Leseprobe

Joachim Grupp

SHOTOKAN KARATE KATA VOL. 1

Meyer & Meyer Sport

Original title: Shotokan Karate Kata 1

© Aachen: Meyer & Meyer, 2000

Shotokan Karate Kata Vol. 1

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Shotokan Karate Kata Vol. 1

Joachim Grupp

Maidenhead: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., 2003

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means now known or hereafter invented without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form, binding or cover other than that which is published, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

© 2003 by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.

2nd, revised edition 2009

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Maidenhead, Olten (CH), Singapore, Toronto

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Sport Publishers’ Association (WSPA)

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ISBN: 9781841269641

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Contents

Foreword

1 Introduction

1.1 The History of Shotokan Karate

1.1.1 Karate-Do

1.2 Kata

2 The Basic Kata

2.1 Heian Shodan

2.2 Heian Nidan

2.3 Heian Sandan

2.4 Heian Yondan

2.5 Heian Godan

3 The Tekki-Kata

3.1 Tekki-Shodan

3.2 Tekki-Nidan

3.3 Tekki-Sandan

4 The Basic Master Kata

4.1 Bassai-Dai

4.2 Jion

4.3 Empi

4.4 Hangetsu

4.5 Kanku-Dai

5 Karate Stances

5.1 Heisoku-Dachi

5.2 Musubi-Dachi

5.3 Heiko-Dachi

5.4 Hachiji-Dachi

5.5 Zenkutsu-Dachi

5.6 Kokutsu-Dachi

5.7 Kiba-Dachi

5.8 Neko-Achi-Dachi

5.9 Sanchin-Dachi

5.10 Fudo-Dachi

5.11 Kosa-Dachi

5.12 Renoji-Dachi

6 Recurring Techniques in the Kata

6.1 Manji-Uke

6.2 Yoko-Geri, Uraken, Empi

6.3 Kakiwake-Uke

6.4 Tate-Shuto-Uke

6.5 Haishu-Uke

6.6 Morote-Uke

6.7 Fumikomi

7 Appendix

7.1 Bibliography

7.2 Photo & Illustration Credits

Foreword

What are Kata, and what is the purpose of this book? As a traditional, set form of techniques used against more than one attackers, Kata are the essential elements of Karate. Prior to the introduction of Kumite – exercises with a partner – Kata were practically the only things used for practice. All today's elements of Karate stem from the Kata. The fascination of the Kata opens the way for everyone with sufficient patience to continually practice their techniques and sequences and continually improve their execution. This book should contribute to supporting these aims and assist the Karateka in perfecting his prowess in the Kata, whether it is in order to pass gradings, for daily training, for working on oneself, for Karate-Do or for competitions. A such, the book constitutes only one way to be helped. It can be used to complement training in a dojo or club, but it cannot replace it. Correct breathing, tensing the muscles and relaxing them, the interchange between rapid and slow movements, timing and many other aspects can only be learned through intensive training.

Kata is one of the three pillars of Karate. Alongside Kihon and Kumite, Kata training is an important aspect of Karate exercises today. Without continuous practice of the Kata skills, Karate-Do would be unthinkable. They include: a myriad of techniques, which are seldom or not at all practised in Kumite or basic training; techniques for close combat; grips or sequences to start throws; defence against armed aggressors; and attacks against sensitive body areas, all of which cannot be trained for without endangering a sparring partner. Indeed, the range of techniques contained in the Kata is almost inexhaustible.

A further aspect should not go unmentioned – the aesthetics. It is simply fun to practice the Kata or to watch a demonstration of Kata. To the observer, Kata have the effect of a particular kind of fascination, more than perhaps in the other aspects of Karate. The aesthetics of an excellently performed Kata in training or in competition cannot simply be ignored. It is quite noticeable how much energy is expressed in this form of fighting against an imaginary opponent. Tension, speed, precision, dynamics, power and explosiveness in the techniques – a good Kata demonstration brings all of Karate’s many aspects to the fore.

The special characteristics of a particular style are reflected in the Kata. In Shotokan Karate, there is a large spectrum of different Kata. While the focus of the Kata in our style lies mainly more in dynamic, rapid and explosive movements, the 26 Kata in Shotokan are nevertheless divided into two categories: those that tend to be more rapid and explosive in the Shorin tradition, and those that concentrate on the breathing and power side of the Shorin tradition. The Shorin group includes the Heian Katas, Empi, Bassai-Dai, Kanku-Dai, Nijushiho and the Gojushiho Kata. They also concentrate on the breathing techniques and consist of rather slower sequences; but the basic tempo is rapid and dynamic. Those that concentrate more on power are in the Shorei group, e.g., Jion and Hangetsu as well as Sochin and Jitte.

This book contains the basic Kata up to Tekki 1, and the initial Master Kata Bassai-Dai.

When training in the Kata, one main principle must not be forgotten: training in a particular Kata should not exceed the technical capability of the individual. In all cases, a Kata in a lower category perfected well is hugely preferable to a badly executed Kata in a higher category. Therefore, the Heian Kata should first be practised intensively before you go on to learn the next Kata group. Thus, the learning and practising of an individual Kata will be correspondingly longer, and you should not refrain from practising Kata that you already think you can do over and over again. You never master a Kata perfectly. You are always in the process of doing this.

A description of the basic techniques for Shotokan Karate is not included in this book. If you are practising Kata, you should already have some idea of the basics. At this point, I would like to draw your attention to my book "Shotokan Karate. Kihon, Kumite, Kata" (2nd edition, Maidenhead 2009), which contains this information.

I wish all readers who want to practice and come to terms with the fascination of Shotokan Kata lots of fun in reading the lessons here, and good luck with Karate-Do.

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The History of Shotokan Karate

"Karate-Do is achieved a step at a time, just like life. Just train every day and doyour best and the truth will come to you."

(Masatoshi Nakayama)

The origins of Karate lie in Okinawa. Several hundred kilometres away from the Japanese mainland is the island whose inhabitants developed fighting techniques centuries ago that they used to defend themselves from invaders and armed aggressors. Through healthy trade connections and cultural exchanges with other neighbouring Asian countries, a heterogeneous martial art emerged out of the already existing local weapon and fighting techniques. The economic centres of Shuri, Naha and Tomari were the focus of this development.

In 1372, in the vicinity of Naha, several Chinese families settled and brought Buddhism with them. It is assumed that they had an influence on Te throughout the area of Naha. It is held that the local popular Naha-Te (later called Shorei-Ryu – 'Ryu' means 'school') was inspired from the traditions of Chuan-Fa. It consists of dynamic movements and puts value on breathing and the technique for producing rapid and explosive power. The interest in Chinese culture amongst the Okinawans was large and, as a result, the philosophy and the fighting techniques of Chinese boxing (Kempo) spread into several regions of Okinawa. Other centres for Te were Tomari and Shuri (the styles developed here were later also called Shorin-Ryu). A Chinese influence could also be found in Shuri-Te, with its emphasis on breathing control and round defensive movements. Tomari-Te contains, on the other hand, both these elements.

The inhabitants of Okinawa lived mainly as farmers, fishermen or traders. Very often the specific characteristics of the old style can be related to the different traditions of their professions. The American historian Randall HASSELL sees various social traditions as the roots of the different martial-art systems: The farming community preferred a style with a low stance posture so that they could defend themselves with both arms and the legs from low positions. HASSELL traces another powerful style with numerous arm movements to the fishermen.

The farmers and the fishermen were also inventive in using their work implements as weapons. Kobudo, the use of a Bo, the Tonfa, Nunchaka Kama and other tools used as weapons comes from this epoch. Today's Kata still contain, in part, (defensive) movements against such weapons.

The Japanese occupied Okinawa in 1609 and subjugated its inhabitants. This led to a ban on Te under the Satsuma dynasty at the time of Iesha Shimazu. As a result, could only be practised in secrecy. Nevertheless, there were several masters who were deeply respected and taught their art further in secret. The fighting techniques were intertwined as a sort of code into the Kata. Training was also done using the Makiwara, where techniques could be executed with lots of energy and power. The need to be able to defeat an armed aggressor using a decisive technique – and even to kill him – was expressed in the whole system of training. This concentrated and focussed on vital points of the body and played an important role.

The masters of this art were well-respected in the community, but they did not consider themselves almighty. It is therefore futile to philosophically glorify the beginnings back in the dark ages of this martial art or to try to justify the origins historically. Missing written evidence makes any statement in this way merely speculative. It is, however, a fact that the fighting system created by the fishermen and farmers of Okinawa served one purpose above all: to be able to kill an enemy who was superior both in weaponry and equipment in order to survive.

The reforms of the Meiji government, which superseded the Satsuma reign in 1868, permitted the development of martial arts and their popularity throughout the whole country.

In those days, the basic martial art that we know as Karate was called "Okinawa-Te" or "Tang-Te". The latter of these two descriptions ("Tang" means Chinese) expressed the high respect held for anything coming from China. Te, as it was then, is not yet considered by historians to be a complete or even standardised martial art. Completely differing styles had been developed in the various areas. Some consisted of very few techniques that had been practised for years and years. Some masters of the art even possessed a very limited repertoire. Some sources report that they practised only one-to-three techniques for the whole of their lives, but these were carried out to perfection.