Morning kata practice


Everytime I see a 型 kanji on the street I need to take a picture. It always encourages me to practice kata. Yes, the kanji means "kata", but here in China they are not called kanji, they are called hanzi.

Anyway, after delivering the young karateka to the kindergarten I practiced an hour of Empi, Suparimpei, Seipai, Gojushiho-sho, Nijushiho, Sanchin and Hangetsu. Yes, a few times each.
I just developed a new love for Nijushiho. My Sensei always said it was a kata for 3rd Dan. I recently discovered it is a Naha kata, so I am researching it. More about it in future posts.

Tired and happy. And yes, I know. But the gym has been closed for a month...  :C








Comments

  1. D Hayes28 March 2017 at 15:17

    Have just found your blog in the last few days through facebook posts.
    I find your outlook and strategy very encouraging.

    I too have been learning to perform Nijushiho, but in my school bunkai are sadly lacking. Competition sparring is more the focus, and this is far different to high impact self-defense techniques found in kata.
    I will be looking forward to your explorations of Nijushiho, to compliment my own understanding.

    OSS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Josep Claramonte28 March 2017 at 16:55

      Thanks for your comment!
      Sadly, my schools also lacked bunkai training so I had to find it by myself: books, videos, DVDs, youtube, friends, research... Sometimes taking some time off your dojo and training with other people will bring new ideas to your mind.

      Delete
    2. Unknown11 April 2017 at 13:27

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. Unknown11 April 2017 at 13:27

      Hi Josep,

      Was looking forward to seeing what you did with Nijushiho - can't seem to find the posts??

      Thanks,
      Diarmuid

      Delete
  2. Josep Claramonte11 April 2017 at 13:54

    I am sorry, my friend. That will take time. Long time.

    I am not now in the right moment for that. I lack time at resources at the moment to do what I have in mind.
    In the other hand, I need more exploration of this kata myself, as I am not completely sure of a couple (hundred) things. It is a Naha kata that somehow made it into the Shotokan syllabus (probably by Mabuni's hand, but that is a post for another day) so I need a deep research before I put myself into work.

    I am sorry to keep you waiting, but it's not gonna happen this year, I fear.

    Anyway, thank you for your interest and follow up!
    Now that I think of it... I could probably make a short video with some questions I have about the kata and that could be foundation of my later work.
    Do you have any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown11 April 2017 at 16:04

      Circles. The body moves in portions of circles, the large 'windmill hands' motion, the shortened mawashi uke (at least, that move is abbreviated in SKIF Shotokan) - there are more.
      It seems there are many circles in this kata. I don't know if that's a general feature of Nahate, or a particular fighting strategy the creator of the kata was trying to impart. I especially would love to know if there is anything more than a superficial connection between the 'windmill' hands (must look up the correct name!) and the mawashi uke.

      Also the side thrust kick. While seemingly simple, it seems risky to bother using - maybe/I must be misunderstanding this movement and it's purpose.

      I wait patiently, and thank you for doing publicising your learning so that others may benefit.
      Oss.

      Delete
    2. Josep Claramonte11 April 2017 at 16:10

      Well, there is the ura uke too, like in Seipai. And the side kicks were most probably front originally, like in all other kata.

      Thanks for your contribution!

      Delete
    3. Josep Claramonte26 April 2017 at 03:59

      Dear Mr Hayes, I have started my Nijushiho project. You can have a first glimpse of it here: https://karatecla.blogspot.com/2017/04/nijushiho-impromptu-bunkai-exploration.html

      I am expecting your comments on it.

      Thank you for following!

      Delete

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