Origins of Chito-Ryu Kata
The kata in Chito-ryu are distinguished first and foremost by being
very different from each other when compared to the curriculum of other
styles. In Chito-ryu a progression is in place where your technical
skills improve as you practice, get better, and move to more advanced
kata. Typically the lower kata contains techniques that are forceful
and that use fists, while the higher kata are more based on soft and
flowing techniques using open hands.
Jump to: Shihohai Seisan Niseishi Bassai Chinto Sochin Rohai Tenshin Sanshiru Ryusan Kusanku Sanchin
Shihohai
Shi - the number four
Ho - side,direction
Hai - pray or greeting
Shihohai can be translated as a greeting in four directions. This
kata is only found in Chito-ryu and styles that is derived from
Chito-ryu. O Sensei told us that this kata was used in formal
ceremonies at the court of the King in Naha. O Sensei learned the
kata from Aragaki. The techniques in Shihohai are simple, direct and
strong. The kata provides practice for the basic principle Ichi gan
ni soku san tan shi ryoku.
Seisan
Sei - formal, correct
San - line up, position
O Sensei learned this kata from Kyan. Our version has a lot in
common with many of the styles that trace their tradition back to Kyan.
Funakoshi gave the kata the Japanese name Hangetsu. The kata teaches
how to defend using counter-attack. It also gives good training in
correct stances.
Niseishi
Ni - the number two
Sei - the number ten
Shi - the number four
Niseishi is an old fashioned way of expressing the number 24. In
modern Japanese the pronunciation would be Nijushi. The name of the
kata is normally interpreted to mean 24 steps or 24 techniques.
Chito-ryu Niseishi is not the same kata as the one know as
Nijushiho/Niseishi in other styles.
The origin of the kata is somewhat uncertain. O Sensei wrote that
he learned the kata at from Aragaki, but the way he has passed it on,
it is certain that it has been supplemented with techniques and
principles from the Chinese martial art, White Crane.
Niseishi is also considered preparation for the kata Sanchin.
O Sensei changed the breathing techniques and positions in Niseishi
because he felt that the usual way of carrying out these techniques
could be damaging to one’s health when practiced over many years.
Jump to: Shihohai Seisan Niseishi Bassai Chinto Sochin Rohai Tenshin Sanshiru Ryusan Kusanku Sanchin
Bassai
Batsu - draw out, remove, transition
Sai - close, set up, prevent
Bassai is normally translated to mean to storm a fortress or
penetrate a defence.
O Sensei learnt this kata from Kyan, and our version has much in
common with the kata taught by the styles that consider Kyan their
origin. Kyan himself had been taught the kata in the village named
Tomari form a master named Oyadomari Kokan.
Bassai is considered one the oldest katas from Okinawa. It is
characterized by hard, direct techniques that require a soft, energetic
and flexible body technique if it is to be performed properly. Many
compare these skills with movement of a snake when it attacks its
prey.
Chinto
Chin - calming, muffle
To - easterly direction
The best translation of Chinto is fighting techniques from the
east.
Chinto is found both in the shuri-te and tomari-te traditions, and
is used in many modern styles. Funakoshi gave the kata the Japanese
name Gankaku, which translates into crane on a rock.
O Sensei was taught this kata by Kyan, and adapted it by removing
techniques that are repeated several times. For this reason our version
is shorter that of other styles.
The usual interpretation of the kata is that it mimics the movements
of a hawk when it attacks its prey. Soft, alert movements with whip
like lash is important here.
Sochin
So - forceful, brave
Chin - calming, muffle
O Sensei tells us that he learnt this kata from Aragaki, who also
taught a version of the kata to several other students, among others
Mabuni and Funakoshi. Their versions of the kata is, however, quite
different from the Chito-ryu version of Sochin.
The techniques in Sochin is to be performed with strength and force
from a low stance. It is suggested that the kata mimics the movements
of an ox as it attacks.
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Rohai
Ro - crane
Hai - mark
Rohai can be translated as the mark of the crane or the symbol of
the crane. Many styles have katas that are named Rohai, but none of
these resemble the two Chito-ryu versions.
O Sensei indicated that he learned the Rohai katas from
Higashionna, but many historians have suggested that this was not
possible since no such kata is found in Naha-te. When the question was
raised with Hokama, the well known expert on karate history, he felt
that it was possible, since Higashionna had contact with practitioners
of Tomari-te, where the kata is found.
The Rohai katas should be performed with energetic and light
movements. Quick counter attacks, turning movements and avoidance
movements characterizes Rohai.
Tenshin
Ten - roll, turn
Shin - body
Tenshin simply means to turn the body. It most likely that
O Sensei developed this kata himself, based on his own experience and
knowledge.
Tenshin is without a doubt a very demanding kata, even though it
appears simple. If you have poor balance or imprecise stances, you will
find out in a hurry while performing Tenshin.
Quick rotation and shifting, avoidance and counter attack are the
characteristics of Tenshin.
Sanshiru
San - the number three
Shi - the number ten
Ryu - the number six
The usual translation of Sanshiru is the number thirty six. The
Chito-ryu Sanshiru is quite different from katas with the same name in
Goju Ryu or in Uechi Ryu. Most likely the Chito-ryu version is based on
the kata Gojushiho (54 steps) that O Sensei learned from Kyan.
This kata, which emphasizes strong defense techniques, must be
classified as a very complicated and difficult kata.
Jump to: Shihohai Seisan Niseishi Bassai Chinto Sochin Rohai Tenshin Sanshiru Ryusan Kusanku Sanchin
Ryusan
Ryu - dragon
San - mountain
Ryusan, which is normally translated as dragon that climbs a
mountain, is a very rare kata, and is found in only a few styles
outside Chito-ryu.
O Sensei was taught the kata by Hanashiro, who in turned had
learnt it from the Chinese master Gokenki. Gokenki was a practitioner
of the Chinese martial art White Crane, and he trained with many karate
practitioners on Okinawa around 1920.
Ryusan is very difficult kata based on steady coordination and force
from the ground. All techniques are performed with an open hand.
Kusanku
The normal perception is that Kusanku is a name and does not
describe the kata. Many historians make reference to Kusanku as a
Chinese sailor that was shipwrecked on Okinawa. He lived in a cave and
instructed the local population in karate, sometime around middle of
1700.
O Sensei learnt this kata from Kyan, who in turn had got from
Yara, who lived in the village of Chatan. Chatan Yara was a friend of
Sakugawa, who had been a student of Kusanku, the Chinese sailor.
Kusanku is a very widespread kata. Funakoshi re-named the kata by
the Japanese name Kanku, which means to look to the heavens.
The Chito-ryu version of Kusanku is shorter than the one used in
many other styles. Defence and attack in darkness of night is the
special theme of the kata.
Sanchin
San - the number three
Chin - war, fight
Sanchin is common kata in the Naha-te tradition (Goju Ryu, Uechi
Ryu, Shito Ryu, Isshin Ryu etc.) It has its origin in the martial arts
practiced in Fukien in South China.
O Sensei learnt the kata from Higaonna, who in turn had traveled
to China to learn martial arts. In most of the styles using the kata,
it is taught to relative beginners, but in Chito-ryu it is normally
reserved for practitioners of 3.dan and higher.
The Chito-ruy version of Sanchin contains elements of the Naha-te
kata Sanchin and a Goju-ryu kata called Tensho. Tensho was designed by
Miyagi, who was a good friend of O Sensei.
Sanchin, which stresses breathing techniques and muscle control, is
by many seen as an exercise in meditation to achieve harmony between
body and soul.
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Kata of Chito-Ryu Karate
Soke Cup 2007 - Bergen, Norway