Ryushinkan Sanchin Kata

This is Sanchin Kata as practiced at Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan. Sanchin is the foundation for all other kata, and is generally considered to be the most important one to master. Only the Sanchin Dachi stance is used throughout. The lower half of the body is solidly rooted to the ground, while the punches draw their power from the earth through the legs and hips, enabling the strength of the whole body to be channeled and focused into one punch.

When properly executing Sanchin, all the muscles are flexed and tensed throughout the kata. Most styles of martial arts employ a version of Sanchin that follows the "hard" style of karate.  In Gojuryu, however, the idea is to remain soft until a hard motion is executed, and then tense briefly at the right moment. This allows for better overall movement since continuous tensing is not conducive to easy or speedy movement. 

Sanchin Kata

Sanchin (三戦) means "three battles," and has been described as a sort of moving meditation, whose purpose is to unify the mind, body and spirit. The techniques are performed very slowly and with intensity, so that the student masters precise movement, breathing, stance, posture, internal strength, and stability of both mind and body. 

Sanchin is a kata of Southern Chinese origin that is found in the Chinese martial arts of Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, Pangai-noon and the Tiger-Crane Combination style associated with Ang Lian-Huat. One interpretation of the name is that it refers to the “internal” battle to unify the physical, mental and spiritual.

Leg Sweeps and Take Downs

As Wikipedia states: "Karate's nage waza (投げ技 or throwing techniques) is the set of techniques whereby the opponent is thrown to the ground. While typical students of karate focus most of their attention on learning striking techniques, karate throws are considered indispensable for self-defense and, although not always taught, are part of the classical art.” 

The leg sweep or ashi barai (足掃) is similarly employed, and can be found in many kata. Including Gekisai Ichi, Gekisai Ni and Saifa. This video shows a karate style that emphasizes throws, sweeps and take downs, and such real applications should be borne in mind when practicing and performing kata  

Fukyugata 1 - Okinawa Shogenryu

Here is another video of fukyugata - this time with step-by-step correction and advice. Each style of karate - in this case Shogenryu -  has minor variations, but the basics never vary, confirming the adage, "the more things change, the more they stay the same."

"Renshukai" Venue Change

Members of Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan are continuing to train together as "Renshukai," with supervised sessions in the day time at Shibuya Sports Center, while the location for the evenings has reverted back to Shinjuku Sports Center as of April. The evening sessions are on Mondays and Fridays at the recently refurbished Budojo (Martial Arts Hall). Shinjuku Sports Center is at 3-6-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku.  Aragaki Kancho supervised the first session back on the evening of Monday, April 4, and continues to train members in the daytime and evening sessions, as his schedule permits.

Fukyu kata dai ichi

Here is a demonstration of Fukyugata. In this performance, the oizuki punches are all joudan or upper level, which differs somewhat from Gojuryu, where they are all chuudan or middle level except for the final two.  

Fukyugata

At the Gojuryu Karatedo Yoyogi Ryushinkan Dojo, many newcomers were first instructed in Fukyugata, a simplified form to introduce beginners to performing kata.  

Fukyugata is the name of kata practiced in many styles of Okinawan karate, particularly Matsubayashi-ryu. There are two Fukyugata. Shoshin Nagamine (Matsubayashi-ryu) created Fukyugata Ichi and Chojun Miyagi (Goju-ryu) created Fukyugata Ni, which became Gekisai Ichi. They were developed as beginner kata because the more traditional kata were considered too challenging for novices.