Tenshin/Happo

Tenshin/Happo (Eight directional Movement)

Karate Basic

Making a Fist

About Bassai dai

Check out the Wiki Page

Read up part 4 - extracted from -- Karate - the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Read up part 4 - extracted from -- Karate - the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Combined physical-psychological principles

Focus (kime)

Briefly, “focus” in karate refers to the concentration of all the energy of the body in an instant on a specific target. This involves not only concentration of physical strength but also the type of mental concentration described above. There is no such thing as a focus lasting for any measurable length of time. Since successful karate depends entirely on effective concentration of body strength, focus is extremely important, and without it karate would become nothing more than a form of dancing. This principle will appear frequently in the follow pages, so a clear understanding of it at this point is desirable. To further analyse the concept of focus, take the technique of punching for an example. In reverse punching, the fist is thrust straight out from the body and simultaneously the hips are twisted in the direction of the punch so as to transmit the strength of the hips and trunk to the face of the fist, augmenting its speed and power. Of course, speed and power must be carefully balanced, i.e. sacrificing speed by exerting too much power into the arm or body must be avoided. Also, the breathing control principle explained above plays an important part in focusing, i.e. the breath should be sharply exhales at the moment of impact . an of course, there must be an accompanying mental attitude reflecting this total concentration of the body strength. As the fits nears the target its speed is increased to its maximum point, and at the moment of impact the muscles of the entire body are tensed. The effect of this is that speed is transformed into power, and the strength of the entire body is concentrated for an instant at the fist. This, in essence is what “focus” in karate means.

It should not be forgotten that this maximum exertion of energy is instantaneous and in the next instant is withdraw in preparation for the next movement, i.e. the muscles are relaxed, the breath inhaled, and position appropriated for the net technique assumed. A karate technique which is not focused is in effective and so much wasted effort.

Responding (hen-o)

This karate concept refers to the correct apprehension of the opponent’s movements and the conscious adoption of the proper techniques in accordance with them. Both parts of this process are performed as a single momentary act and appear to an onlooker almost as a reflex action. It is this character of karate that creates self-confidence in it practitioner, i.e. he knows that his mind-directed reflexes don’t have to “think what to do”. ( Kim song words -> train to instinct )

Read up part 3 - extracted from -- Karate - the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Read up part 3 - extracted from -- Karate - the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Psychological Principles

Since karate involves direct contact between to or more human beings, psychological factors play an important role. In many cases the psychologically strong party wins even when he is out-matched physically. Although this psychological conditioning comes about naturally – until it is almost second nature – in the course of karate training, the examples given below, which embody ancient concepts handed down from the past, offer valuable avenues of approach.

Mizu no kokoro (a mind like water)

This term, along with the one in the flowing section, was emphasized in the teaching of the ancient karate masters. Both refer to the mental attitude required while facing an actual opponent. Mizu no kokoro refers to the need to make the mind calm, like the surface of undisturbed water. To carry the symbolism farther, smooth water reflect accurate image of all object within it range, and if the mind is kept in this state, apprehension of the opponent’s movements, both psychological and physical, will be both immediate and accurate and one’s responses, both defensive and offensive, will be appropriate and adequate. On the other hand, if the surface of the water is disturbed, the images it reflect will be distorted, or by analogy, of the mind is preoccupied with thoughts of attack or defence, it will not apprehend the opponent’s intentions, creating an opportunity for the opponent to attack

Tsuki no kokoro (a mind like the moon)

This concept refers to the need to be constantly aware of the totality of the opponent and his movements, just as moonlight shines equally on everything within its range. With the thorough development of this attitude, the consciousness will be immediately aware of any opening in the opponent’s defences. Clouds blocking the light of the moon are likened to nervousness or distractions which interfere with correct apprehension of the opponent’s movements and make it impossible to find an opening and to apply the proper techniques

Unity of mind and will

To use a modern analogy, if the mind is compared to the speaker of a telephone, the will is like he electric current. No matter how sensitive the speaker is, if there is no electric current, no communication take place. Similarly, even if you correctly apprehend the movements of your opponent and are conscious of an opening, if the will to act on this knowledge is lacking, no effective technique will be forthcoming. The mind may find an opening, but the will must be activated in order to execute the technique called for.

Read up part 2 - extracted from -- Karate the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Read up part 2 - extracted from -- Karate the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Physical principles

Maximum strength

Any movement of the body depends on muscular expansion and contraction. There are many factors involved in exerting maximum force through control of these expansion and contractions, and only the most basic are listed here

1) Force is directly proportionate to the degree of the muscular expansion and contraction. This is the principles behind, for example, the coil spring – the more the coil is pressed down, the greater the force it exerts when released. Many parts of the human body operate in the same way.

2) The striking power of a force is inversely proportionate to the time required for its application. This means that in karate it is not the muscular strength used to life a heavy object that is required, but the strength manifested in terms of sped of muscular expansion and contraction. In the other words, force is accumulated in the form of speed and at the end of the movement; speed is converted into striking force. In scientific language, force equals mass times the square of the velocity.

Concentration of strength

To perform any kind of heavy physical work, concentration of strength is necessary. Even a great amount of strength will accomplish little if it is dispersed. By the same token a small amount of strength, properly concentrated, can be quite powerful. It is no exaggeration to say that the practice of most karate techniques is the practice of concentration of strength at the proper time and at the proper place. The following principles are basic

1) Other things being equal, the shorter the time a striking force is applied, the more effective it is. This element of concentration in terms of time is very important in karate, for it enables one to move immediately in to the next technique.

2) The greater the number of muscles brought into play in performing a given movement, the greater the concentration of strength. This force which can be exerted by the hands or feet acting alone is relative small; therefore, the musculare power of the whole body should be exerted in such a way that this strength is concentrated at the point of impact.

3) Maximum concentration of body strength depends on effective utilization of the resultant of forces produces by exertion of the various muscles. When the muscles are properly coordinated, the resultant force is greater; when they act in opposite direction, it is lessened

4) Concentration of strength depends not on simultaneous exertion of all the body muscles, bit on their exertion in the proper order. The muscles of the abdominal and pelvic region are powerful but slow, whereas those of the extremities are fast but weak. In order to concentrate the force of both sets of muscles, those of the abdomen and hips must be brought into play first, and this force transferred to the point of impact, either in the hands or feet. This account for the common saying in karate to move the hips first and hands and feet last.

Utilizing reaction-force

This refers to the well known principle of physics that to every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. This principle finds wide use in karate; for example. In punching out with one hand, the other hand is simultaneously withdrawn to the hip, adding reaction-force to the punching hand. Running or jumping is made possible by pressing downward with the opposite leg. This is important feature in karate where, for example, in punching, the rear leg is pressed hard against the floor, and the resulting reaction force is passed through the body and arm to the striking hand, adding force to the punch. In even more complex fashion, when the hand actually strikes the target, the shock of the blow is passed through the body to the legs and floor and then is reversed back to the punching hand, adding further force to the blow.

Use of breath control

It is well known that exhaling aids in contracting the muscles, while inhaling tends to relax the muscles. This finds direct application in karate, where the breath is sharply exhaled during the execution of techniques and inhaled after their completion.

Read up part 1 - extracted from -- Karate - the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Read up part 1 - extracted from -- Karate - the art of "Empty-hand" fighting

Essential principles

The remarkable strength manifested by many individual karate techniques, both offensive and defensive, is not the mysterious, esoteric things many observers, as well as certain proponents of the art itself, would you have believe. On the contrary, it is the inevitable result of the effective application of certain well-known scientific principles to the movement of the body. Like wise

Knowledge of psychological principles, along with constant practice, enable the karate man to find openings and executes the proper techniques at the proper times, no matter how minute the movements of his opponent. At an advance level, it is even possible for a karate expert to sense the movements of his opponent before they take place.

Before learning the various individual techniques, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the physical, psychological, and combined physical-psychological principles which underlie them all of course; it is difficult to interpret complicated physical or psychological processes in terms of a few simple principles. Discussed below are the most important ones.

Karate - the art of "empty-hand" fighting

I was reading the book -- Karate - the art of "empty-hand" fighting, borrowed from the national library. Although it is written by shotokan masters, alot of the topics cover is common to all school of karate ( at least in my point of view) .

Book was written by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown. ISBN 0-8048-1668-9

Hara & Koshi

Extracted from the below web

http://www.shuriway.co.uk/hara.html

abdomen & hip

'Te de tsukuna, hara de tsuke; Ashi de keruna, koshi de kere'.

(Do not punch with your arm, punch with your 'HARA';
do not kick with your leg, kick with your 'KOSHI').

'HARA' generally means 'abdomen', but in martial arts it means more specifically the lower abdomen. This is where your center of gravity should be. Without a stable center of gravity you cannot keep good balance and perform techniques with weight behind them. To be able to keep one's center of gravity at the lower abdomen, one has to learn abdominal breathing, which involves up and down movement of the diaphragm.

Refer to the above link for more information .. a good resource web

13 Fundamental Points in kata

Extracted from http://www.shitokai.com/kata.php - a Good reading and Knowledge source

In this section, we are going to read about thirteen very fundamental points in kata that must be considered while practicing kata.

Yooi no kishin- Readiness, concentration, will, and determination against opponent before starting kata.

In'yo - Active and passive (i.e. knowing whether you are attacking or defending).

Chikara no kyojaku - Correct method in using power, the amount of power used for each kata movement and position.

Waza no kankyu - Speed used in each kata movement and position.

Tai no shinshoku - the amount of contraction and expansion for each movement.

Kokyu - Breathing, right exhalation and inhalation in each kata movement.

Chakugan - Look spot, considering the aim and destination of technique.

Kiai - Shout, in one or more certain points, shout shows the soul of fight of kata. Additionally, the whole conducted power is released.

Hyoshi - Rythm. Proper accentuation and flow of the movement of kata and each combination of kata.

Kime - Focal point or Focus refers to the concentration of all the energy of the body in the instant a particular technique( blocks, kicks, punches and...)makes contact with its target.

Antei - Balance. Stability, adjusting, figure and using the proper and correct stance in each movement.

Keitai no hoji - Using each technique in its proper place.

Zanshin - Being fully aware, being in guard position at the end of kata. Looking towards the side kata is finished.

Today we can see that many karatekas do not practice kata seriously and do not realize the usage of kata. In fact, it is true that kata will be useable only for those who have studied it deeply and have perfect recognition.

Rey (Bow)

At the beginning and at the end of the kata, one bows. This is part of the kata. When doing kata successively, bow at the every beginning and at the completion of the final kata.

Different forms of kata practices

Extracted from http://www.shitokai.com/kata.php

Different forms of kata practices

1. Slow, without concentration (relax) performed as warm up.
2. Quick, without concentration (relax) in order to keep the moments of kata in mind.
3. Quick, powerful with Kime. The movements are performed one by one. This form is suitable in-group class.
4. With the real speed and rhythm of kata and kime. This is the real kata the same as real combat.
5. Slow, with contraction of muscles, performed as an exercise to strengthen the muscles.
6. Slow, relax along with deep breathing, feeling Hara in each movement like Tai Chi Chuan.
7. Symmetry movements, if kata is started from the left, try starting from the right.
8. Converse performance (i.e. perform from the end to the beginning). This is done in advance level of kata practice.
9. Selecting some parts of a kata and repeating them constantly.
10. Close-eyed performing.

A number of things can be said about kata. Below you will find some points that help to better learning and performing of kata:

• Do not try to do all the movements quickly. It has to be noted that each movement requires its own speed and position.
• Lower the hips and have pressure on Hara, you can shorten the distance between your anus and navel.
• Close your mouth and prevent contracting the muscles of your face.
• Keep your body upright all the time.
• Move your whole body as a unit and not partly.
• Be fully aware of the connection between kata and practice and kumite.
• Practice over and over.

Kata

Extracted from http://www.shitokai.com/kata.php

Kata

"Regardless of how many kata a person may know, if his training in them is
insufficient, they will be useless."

Mabuni Kenwa - 1989-1952 A principle founder of modern karate and
originator of the Shito School of Karatedo.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kata means form. For many years, all major and fundamental points, blocks, strikes, kicks, punches and basic techniques have been formed. Katas have series of points and techniques selected concisely and each has a specific and deep inner meaning.

Kata is the base and point of karate. There are primary principles and fundamentals of Karate in Katas that briefly are the position of body, stances, foot works, tai sabaki, changing directions, timing, breathing, kiai, as well as a correct mental behavior.

Kata alone is a combat against some imaginary opponents on whom karate techniques are done. Therefore, the morals of the individuals during kata are of great importance. Practicing kata continuously, you will realize the real meaning of karate techniques. This knowledge allows you to show correct reaction automatically and in any situation against any attack. Moreover, kata consists of a kumite strategy.

Practicing a kata, one should constantly focus on his opponent(s) and do the movements with the highest strength and care, as his life (being alive) depends on doing the techniques in the best possible way. This sort of practicing unifies body and mind. In other words, we can call it feeling, touching and living of kata. However, it has to be noted that some techniques are dangerous but practicing them in kata gives you a control of power and therefore, you gain enough power to control these techniques before using them in kumite.

Katas practiced concisely and correctly, teach the trainer the real purpose of master in creating and doing them. That's why kata is counted as one of the most important points in karate.

-- for more details refer to the above website -- recommended reading

Rei.

Foundation movement in Kata

Etracted from http://www.shitokai.com/tenshin-happo.php - visit the website for more infomation Tenshin/Happo (Eight directional Movement)
Tenshin/Happo is a formal shitoryu kihon practice, shift the body and apply the techniques on the eight main directions. Start from Yoi position, begin from the left gamae, back to the Yoi position and apply on the right side as well. Please follow the numbers and look at the graphs.

Hokei Kumite or Bunkai Kumite

Extracted from http://shitokai.com/hokei.php


Master Mabuni was a pioneer and his thinking, years ahead of his contemporaries. His systemization of Karate was well planned and well executed and designed to make it available to general public were preserving its unique value as a martial art. This form of exercise was over free sparing by many of the most prominent masters of Karate.

Master Mabuni experimented it with protective equipments, during the 1930s. Hoping that it would allow self-simulative combat. However powerfully applied techniques still cause concussions through the thickest protections and broken feet and hands were common. He quickly reverted to pre arranged sparing to prevent injuries and also because protective equipments limited natural movements, and therefore inhabited technique.

Many movements and combinations of movements are expressed in Hokei or Bunkai Kumite.
These exercises are manifestation of the principles of Yo Riu Bi.

Master Mabuni insisted that the system of Yo Ryu Bi applied. That is technique should be useful (Yo), and have flowing rhythm of movement (Ryu), and from the combination should come (Bi) or beauty.

Everything should be practical but have a utility elegant so is the parent about the expert and casual observer. The applications of follow are those of a basic Heian Katas of Shito ryu Karate.

Extracted from a forum Bunkai Vs Hokei

Bunkai means 'application' and Hokei means 'dance'

Bunkai is the contraction of the formal name Bun Bu Kai Setsu which approximately means ' the division of the principles between the martial skill and the intellectual knowledge ' or mas specifically 'analysis'.

Whereas the ideograma Hokei can mean 'flower' or 'dance'.

The Hokei-Kumite is mas similar to the Kata-Kaho of the former Ju-jutsu and to the modern ones En Bu or martial dances.

In the Bunkai the karateka analyzes the answers, studies, observes and learns new things.

In the alone Hokei-Kumite it dances and trains.

Extract from http://www.theshotokanway.com/nijukun.html

this is the teachings from Shotokan soke also the founder of Shotokan, I personally find the Precepts are good.

The Niju Kun are Funakoshi's Twenty Precepts, written to help the student understand how they should conduct themselves in karate, and in everyday life. Each of the principles is explained in detail in 'The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate' by Gichin Funakoshi.

1. Karate is not only dojo training.

2. Don't forget that Karate begins with a bow and ends with a bow.

3. In Karate, never attack first.

4. One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice

5. First you must know yourself. Then you can know others.

6. Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely means to the end.

7. You must release your mind

8. Misfortune comes out of laziness.

9. Karate is a lifelong training.

10. Put Karate into everything you do.

11. Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.

12. Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. Move according to your opponent.

15. Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords.

16. When you leave home, think that millions of opponents are waiting for you.

17. Ready position for beginners and natural position for advanced students.

18. Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another.

19. Do not forget (1)strength and weakness of power, (2)expansion and contraction of the body, (3)slowness and speed of techniques.

20. Devise at all times.

Five principles of blocking/self defense

Mabuni's Shitoryu can be said to be based on his five principles of blocking/self defense.

Rakka: Hard blocking. Striking an off-center or indirect attack with sudden maximum power.

Ryusui: Soft blocking. Redirecting a strong attack with a circular or deflecting parry.

Kushin: Springing. A reflexive, darting "out and in" or "up and down" kind of body shifting from any angle.

Teni: Changing positions. Taisabaki (footwork). Shifting or turning quickly out of the opponent's way.

Hangeki: Defense as attack. Brief but intelligent responses. Sen no Sen.

Karate stances

Extracted from Wikipedia on karate stance which I think is a good refresher for all the karate-kas, me included. Do note, not all style has these stances.Happy reading.

High stances

In all these stances the knees are bent very slightly. There are no stances where weight rests on a leg with a completely straight knee.

Frontal high stances

Heisoku-dachi (閉足立, Feet together stance)Feet together. This is usually a transitional stance, although it is used as the ready stance in some kata.

Musubi-dachi (結び立, Knot stance)Heels together, toes open at about 45 degrees. This stance is used to perform the formal respectful bow, rei (礼).

Musubi-dachi-heiko (結び立-平行)From musubi-dachi, open heels until both outer edges of feet are parallel. Some styles don't distinguish this stance from heiko-dachi.

Hachiji-dachi (八字立, natural stance, literally "stand like the character 八")The feet are at the shoulder width, toes open at about 45 degrees. Sometimes this stance is called soto-hachiji-dachi (外八字立). This is the basic ready stance in Karate.

Uchihachiji-dachi (内八字立, literally "stand like the upside-down character 八")The feet are at the shoulder width, toes facing inwards at 30-45 degrees, knees tense. This stance is used in some formal exercises, for example the tsundome.

Heikō-dachi (平行立, parallel stance)The feet are at the shoulder width, and their outer edges are parallel. This is a common transitional stance in many kata.

Sidewise high stances

Renoji-dachi (レの字立, stand like the character レ)Feet are at the shoulder width. The foot in the front is fully frontal (toes facing forward), the rear foot is turned 90 degrees out, and is positioned in such a way that if the front foot is brought back, its heel will touch the heel of the rear foot. Thus the foot print is shaped like the character レ (or letter L). The weight is kept 70% on the rear foot.

Teiji-dachi (丁字立, stand like the character 丁)Similar to renoji-dachi, but if the front foot is brought back, its heel will touch the middle of the rear foot, thus the foot print is shaped like the character 丁 (or letter T).

Special high stances

Sagiashi-dachi (鷺足立 Heron-foot stance) also known as Tsuruashi-dachi (鶴足立 Crane-foot stance)This is the stance on one leg, where the other leg is raised and bent so that its foot touches the knee of the base leg. The exact form of contact between the foot and the knee depends on the style or even on the particular version of the kata where this stance is used. For example, different versions of the kata rohai use different sagiashi dachi.

Middle height stances

Middle height front stances

Naihanchin-dachi (內步進立)The feet are wider than the shoulder width, with their outer edges parallel. Legs and buttocks should be tensed upwards, while keeping the weight low and the knees bent inwards. This stance has strong tension in the legs and is the basis of the kata Naihanchi.

Sanchin-dachi (三戦立 Three Battles stance)The stance is fixed and tensed in the same way as Naihanchin-dachi. It can be described as Uchi-hachiji-dachi with one foot moved forward until the toes of the rear foot are on the same horizontal line as the heel of the front foot. This powerful stance is used in the multitude of katas attributed to Kanryo Higashionna, from Sanchin to Suparimpei. Many advanced breathing techniques are exercised in this stance.

Hangetsu-dachi (半月立, Halfmoon stance)A version of sanchin used in some karate styles, particularly Shotokan. This stance is longer than sanchin-dachi, but retains the same tension and inward rotation of the knees. It is the basis of the kata Hangetsu.

Moto-dachi (基立, Foundational stance)The stance is shin length and around two fist widths wide, with both legs slightly bent, the front foot facing straight forward and the back foot pointed outward at about 20-30 degrees. The body should be squarely forward unless a half-turn han-mi is applied. The basic ready stance for kumite is Moto-dachi.

Kosa-dachi (交差立, Crossing stance)From Moto-dachi, bring the back leg forward so that the back knee is tucked in to the back of the front knee, with only the toes and ball of the back foot on the floor. Depending on the style, the back foot may be directly behind the front foot, or out to the side of the front foot, so that the legs are crossed.

Han Zenkutsu-dachi (半前屈立, half zenkutsu), also known as Sho Zenkutsu-dachi (小前屈立, short zenkutsu)Shortened and raised zenkutsu-dachi, this stance is slightly lower than moto-dachi. The rear leg is straight at the knee just like in the regular (low) zenkutsu-dachi. This stance is sometimes seen in kata, for example in Matsukaze.

Han-Kokutsu-dachi (半後屈立, half kokutsu), also known as Sho Kokutsu-dachi (小後屈立, short kokutsu)Shortened and raised kokutsu-dachi.

Low stances

The height of all these stances is, ideally, exactly the same, so that the transitions from zenkutsu to kokutsu (defense) or kokutsu to zenkutsu (attack) happen without loss of energy which would be necessary to move the body's center of mass up and down.

Low frontal stances

Kiba-dachi (騎馬立, horse stance or rider stance)Feet are parallel and wide, weight is central and low, with the back straight. The knees point directly to the sides, and width of the feet should be such that the shins are vertical. This stance is not used in all styles of karate because of strong tension that it requires, instead it is often replaced by Shiko-dachi.

Shiko-dachi (四股立, square stance, often called horse stance where kiba-dachi is not used)Same as Kiba-dachi but the toes face out at about 45 degrees.

Zenkutsu-dachi (前屈立, forward stance)This is a long frontal stance where the weight is mostly on the front leg. It has the exact same height as shiko-dachi, but the rear leg is completely straight at the knee and extended back. The front foot is placed frontal (toes facing forward), the rear foot is turned out 30 degrees, just like Moto-dachi, but never 90 degrees as seems natural to newbies because this precludes any forward motion. The heel of the rear foot rests on the ground. Zenkutsu-dachi is one of the most common stances in kata.

Nekoashi-dachi (猫足立, cat paw stance)All weight rests on the back leg, which is bent at the knee. The rear foot is turned at about 20-30 degrees out and the knee sits at the same angle. Only the toes of the front foot rest on the ground, positioned in front of the back heel at about the same distance as the front foot of moto-dachi. There is no weight on the front foot, and there is no bent in the ankle joint - front knee, front shin, and the rise of the foot (but not the toes) form a single line, vertical in Shito-ryu, tilted in Shotokan.

Low sidewise stances

Fudō-dachi (不動立) also called Sochin-dachi (壯鎭立)The body is positioned similar to shiko-dachi turned either 45 or 90 degrees to the side, except for the head which still looks forward. The front foot moves one foot-length forward, increasing stability and making it possible to perform a strong yoko-geri with the rear foot.

Kōkutsu-dachi (後屈立, back stance)This is a mirror image of zenkutsu-dachi, where the rear leg is bent strongly at the knee and the front leg is completely straight( it should be noted that many shotokan practitioners practice a slightly bent front knee including the BKA and the KUGB) . The front foot is turned 90 degrees to the side. The body is turned 90 degrees or more away, except for the head. Kokutsu-dachi is a great defensive stance because of the amount of energy stored in the rear leg, ready for a counter-attack.