Renshukai Update for June

Members of Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan continue to train together as "Renshukai" at Shinjuku Sports Center. Aragaki Kancho supervises early evening sessions on Mondays and Fridays as his schedule permits. 

Kancho is also supervising sessions in the day time at Shibuya Sports Center. As ever, the focus is on Sanchin kata. 

Gekisai Dai Ichi

In the "open hand" kata, there are two initial forms referred to as Gekisai Ichi (or Gekisai Daiichi) and Gekisai Ni (or Gekisai Daini) which are in practice very similar. Ichi and Ni mean 1 and 2 respectively, while "dai" means #. The "Dai" is sometimes dropped in the nomenclature.

Gekisai (撃砕) means "attack and destroy." These kata were created around 1940 by Chojun Miyagi and Nagamine Shoshin as beginner kata, to introduce the basic forms of karate (kihon) to middle school students in Okinawa, and to help bring about the standardization of karate, as well as to teach a basic set of techniques for self-defense. 

It is said that the two Gekisai kata were strongly influenced by the Shuri-te techniques that Chojun Miyagi learned from Anko Itosu, considered by many to be the father of modern karate.

Shibuya Ward Tournament Results

Belated congratulations are due to members of Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan for their fine performances at the 2016 Shibuya Ward Spring Karate Tournament on April 29. 

Kamano-san won outright in the men's kata competition in the category for brown belts and below, while Oshima-san finished third in the men's kata competition in the "masters" division.These results show the continued high level of kata performance attainable under the instruction of Aragaki Kancho.

Goju-kai Sanchin Kata

This is the Goju-Kai version of Sanchin Kata performed by Goshi Yamaguchi, son of the renowned teacher Gogen Yamaguchi. This version includes the turning and directional changes that play a key role throughout the Gojuryu kata. The speed is somewhat faster than the Okinawan style but the two kata are essentially the same in principle. When preparing for the turn, the instep of the right foot should be placed on the floor beyond the position of the left foot, with the body remaining firmly facing forward. The knees will be almost touching. The turn should be performed without any change in the height of the stance - i.e. no "bobbing" up and down.

Sanchin Breathing and Application

Further key points on Sanchin Kata from Higaonna Sensei, especially on the breathing and practical applications of the kata. However, it is fair to say that the basics of Sanchin kata can be found in all the other kata in Gojuryu karate. Looking at it another way, if you cannot perform Sanchin kata well, the other kata will suffer for it.