Isshinryu Karate
Kata Overview
H-Pattern Kata
H-Pattern is not a "real" Isshinryu kata per se. It is an elementary kata
that demonstrates various elements of katas.
Seisan Kata
This is the first kata of the Isshinryu system, which originated from
Shorin-Ryu. It emphasizes a straight forward stance, mae geri, and rapid
techniques. It is named after a Chinese artist, Seisan, who lived on an
Okinawan island during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Seisan was
considered "the eighth wonder of the world" because of his unusual power and
ability. Seisan kata can be traced back as far as Soshu Matsumara in the
nineteenth century, who was the instructor of Yasutune Itosu and Chotoku
Kyan. Chotoku Kyan taught Tatsuo Shimabuku. Shimabuku taught the vertical
punch with the thumb on top in this kata instead of using a twist punch.
His reasons were 1, it was faster, 2, it could be retracted easily without
elbow breaks, and 3, it was stronger.
Seiuchin Kata
Seiuchin dache: A strong stance with feet shoulder width apart and feet at
45-degree angles. This kata uses reinforced blocks and punches; it is a
breathing kata; it has six attackers. It is named after a Chinese artist,
Seiuchin, who lived during the fifteenth and sixteenth centures. Legends
say that Seiuchin was so powerful that he could pierce the side of a cow
with the tips of his fingers and penetrate into the body enough that he
could pull meat out from inside with his powerful hands. Historical data
indicates that Kanryo Higashionna, who had gone to China and studied
karate, is the person responsible for the contribution of this kata to
Isshinryu. Kanryo Higashionna was Chojun Myagi's instructor. Tatsuo
Shimabuku learned tho kata directly from Chojun Myagi and gives credit to
him for the profound influence of the Goju-Ryu system into Isshinryu.
Wansu Kata
This kata is from Shorin-Ryu and is named after Master Wansu. This kata
emphasizes use of left and right arm punches; for this reason, it is called
the Strong Arm Form. It is also called the 'dumping kata' because of the
throws it uses. Tatsuo Shimabuku later referred to the kata as the Dragon
Boy or Dumping Form. The kata was brought into Okinawa in 1683 by a
Chinese man named Wansu. It was then reformed and developed later by
karateka around the Tomari village. (NAGAMINE Shoshin, The Essence of
Okinawan Karate-do, pg 187). The kata was composed in 1695, and is
also known as Ansu, Unsu, and Unshu.
Nai Hanchi Kata
This kata is from Shorin-Ryu, and is designed for fighting against a wall
or narrow bridge. It is also called the Missing Enemy Form. It uses the
Iron Horse stance and fake kicks to mimic leg sweeps. The most important
and significant distinction of nai hanchi kata is the training of the lower
part of the body through slow and steady sideward movements with maximum
strength. This kata is also known to the Shuri and Tomari Schools
(NAGAMINE Shoshin, The Essence of Karate-do, pg 148). The kata is
well over 170 years old (editor's note: the year is 2001 at the time of
this writing) and dates back ot the era of Tode Sakugawa. This kata was
the favorite of Yasutune Itosu.