Shuri-Ryu Kata and Your Environment

“Practice, practice, practice in harmony, perseverance, and with diligence, and for those who seek the way, please hurry as its right before you.”
Unknown

“Those who train in nature cannot live out of it”.
A Chinese philosopher

Kata Theory

Kata or Form are formal exercises consisting of a series of techniques performed in sequence and arranged in geometric patterns. They include all the various hand, foot and body shifting techniques used in kicking, punching and blocking. The Kata were conceived centuries ago and were devised by masters in antiquity and have been handed down from generation to generation.

Kata are based on the existence of four to eight imaginary attackers, and provide practice and technical perfection in meeting and attack from any quarter. There are forms which are relatively simple and basic while others require a high degree of skill. Some forms are designed for speed; others are made for heavy and powerful techniques.

Kata are the mainstay of the style under which you study. Without Kata you would have a very difficult time learning how to use the techniques you are taught, and in understanding what they are for.

Each Kata is a Medicine Cabinet

Taikyoku, Wansu, Anaku, Naihanchi one and two, and Tsue Sho Kata will instill physical perfection, balance speed, power and form.

Empi, Bassai, Gopei Sho, Dan Enn Sho and Sanchin will instill mental and physical coordination.

Nandan Sho, Naihanchi Three, Te-Katana, Kan Ku Sho and Ten Sho will instill mental and spiritual awareness.

Shuri-Ryu Kata; Fundamental Elements & General Information about the Kata

Taikyoku Ichiban, Niban, Sanban – Body Side Forms or First Cause

8 Attackers, 22 Movements, 2 Highlights, Weapons; All
Body Timing
Hip Rotation
Expansion and Contraction
Breath, (Soft and Hard)
Basic Technique

Shuri-Ryu Kata; Fundamental Elements & General Information about the Kata

Wansu – Dragon Boy Dumping Form or Strong Arm Form

11 Attackers, 38 Movements, 12 Highlights, Weapons; Bo and Nunchakun
Emphasizes the use of the left and right arm punches
Definite forward hip movement
Correct Dachi
Embusen
Kihon Waza

Anaku – Swallow on the Beach or Expressional Pivoting Form

8 Attackers, 33 Movements, 13 Highlights, Weapons; Kama/Sai
Quick birdlike movements
Shifting
Pivoting
Embusen
Kihon Waza

Empi – Flying Swallow or First Elbow Form

10 Attackers, 34 Movements, 13 Highlights, Weapons; Tonfa
Quick Sharp Birdlike Movements
Fluid Body Action
Shifting and Leaping
Embusen
Kihon Waza

Naihanchi Sho – Iron Horse Missing Enemy Form or Teki, Chulgi, Naifunchin Kata

17 Attackers, 49 Movements, 14 Highlights, Weapons; Sai
Linear Movements
Strength to Center (Strong stomach tension)
Hand and Hand Body Timing
Iron Horse Stance – Knees do not Shake
Kihon Waza

Bassai – Breaking Through the Giant Enemy Circle or Penetrating the Enemy Fortress

19 Attackers, 55 Movements, 23 Highlights, Weapons; Tekos
Balance – Moving from Weak Positions to Strong Positions
Timing and the Rhythm of the Waza in the Kata
Correct Use of the Hips
Correct Dachi
Kihon Waza

Sanchin, Sanmitsu and Sansei – Original Pupil Breath Form or 3 Conflicts (Birth, Survival, Death)

8 Attackers, 49 Movements, 9 Highlights, Weapons; All
Breath – Ibuki and Nogare
Expansion and Relaxation
Correct Dachi (Sanchin Dachi)
Complete Body Action
Kihon Waza

Gopei Sho – Advanced Tearing Peacock Form or Kuju Ku

23 Attackers, 56 Movements, 24 Highlights, Weapons; Tekos
Soft Fluid Birdlike Actions
Shifting and Turning
Balance – Right and Left Sides
Embusen
Kihon Waza

Dann Enn Sho- Cutting or Clawing Through Fire or Tsume Form

12 Attackers, 39 Movements, 20 Highlights, Weapons; Tonfa
Circular Arm Motion
Balance – Body and Stances
Balance – Right and Left Sides
Shifting
Kihon Waza

Nan Dan Sho – 24 Steps Difficult Victory Form or Smooth Water Steps

16 Attackers, 51 Movements, 26 Highlights, Weapons; Kama, Sai
Circular Arm Motion
Shifting weight and power
Fluid Motion
Smooth Transition through Stances
Correct Animal Hand Form

Kan Ku Sho – Flowing Lagoon Sky Form

17 Attackers, 51 Movements
Fluid Body Action
Balance and Directional Changes
Fast and Slow Movements
Dynamic Hip Action
Correct Kihon Waza

Questions When Performing Kata

In order to bring mindfulness of movement and better results, the Kata should be practiced at least fifty times per day. The interpretation should be practiced at least twenty five times per day. The practicing of the Kata will answer many questions, and the answers will provide a deeper insight and understanding for the student.

Before the Kata;

Do I know the Kata?
How do I feel?
Am I completely free of thought?
Are my body and mind calm?
Am I sure of my Kata?
What is its purpose?
What am I doing here?
Where will my breath come from?
Repeat loudly; “I know and I will do the Kata well!”

During the Kata

Is it graceful and smooth?
Does it flow like a river?
Is it strong, and where is my strength?
Where are my gentle movements?
Are my movements defined and with vigor?
Are my movements precisely ended?
Where is my breath?
Is my body half full of air?
Where is my tension?
Are my feet gliding and silent?
Where is my San-Chin or experience of utter tension and relaxation?
Where is my speed?
Where is my yell or Kiai?
Where is my own sound and personality?
Where are my facial expressions?
Are my movements soft and hard then soft again?
If I see nothing I can see everything.

After the Kata

What occurred within me during movements?
Am I completely satisfied?
Where did my movements come from?
Am I calm?
How do I feel now?
What will I do now?
Say out loud: “I performed my Kata well!”

Points to Remember About Okinawan Kata

Look before you turn or step.
Inhale through the nose just before execution of technique.
Exhale through the mouth on focus or completion of technique.
Make the kata real. Visualize your attackers. Feel the blocks, feel your own attacks penetrate. Make Kata a matter of life and death when training. 100% concentration must be achieved.
Use the loudest/sharpest Kiai at the appropriate place.
Strive to attain balance and smooth change from posture to posture and from one technique to the next.
Strive for perfection.
Kata develops you fighting spirit (Budo). Let the spirit flow and be rhythmic and insurmountable.
The entire body must come into play when focus is practiced. Relax (while keeping stable body posture between techniques.
Practice on varying surfaces (slippery, soft, uneven, sloping) to achieve well-rounded ability.

Text above is taken directly from the “Pinnacle of Karate” by Robert Trias

5 Levels of Interpretation

Mental Performance – Running the form.
Spiritual – Envision the attacker attacking.
Universal or Verbal – Verbally explaining the motions in English or Japanese.
Bunkai – Omote (public) and Okuden (hidden).
Goshindo – Street application. 4 levels beyond, Stop, Shock, Takedown, Control.

10 Principles of Kata

Speed – Of combinations, and of the Kata itself.
Power – Including proper body dynamics and body timing.
Form – Correct execution of basic techniques, stances, blocks, punches, and kicks.
Kime – Tension and relaxation, focus, degree of tension for each technique.
Breath – Both soft and hard.
Kiai – Victory, purification and disharmonization.
Balance - Both left and right sides of the body, and the stability of stance, walking, shifting and turning.
Ki – Mental energy, the direction of.
Intent of action – Whether killing blow, maiming blow, or strike, etc..
Zanshin – The proper mind or remaining mind, continued awareness.