Karaté Shotokan

The kata is a sequence of techniques performed in a vacuum simulating a real fight ...
The movements performed in kata alone can then be put in applications with a partner. These exercises are called bunkai. The purpose of kata is twofold: On the one hand gesturing, posture ... in given situations work, to have a learning "quiet" and applied only during combat. On the other hand to discover the fundamental principles of martial arts, such as management of distances, attitude and management of balance, coordination of movement.

Karate Shotokan kata has 26 main ...

26 major kata

• Heïan Shodan.
  Heian means peace quiet. Sho Dan means the first level, it is the first kata of the Heian family (5 katas including the most basic techniques of karate). Heian Shodan contains 21 movements, the main ones Gedan-Barai, age-uke, oi-zuki and Shuto-uke. Two positions are studied zenkutsu-dachi and Kokutsu-dachi.
• Heïan Nidan.
  Heian means peace quiet. Neither dan means second level, it is the second kata Heian family (5 katas including most basic techniques of karate). Heian Nidan contains 26 movements, the main ones Gedan-Barai, age-uke, gyaku-zuki, shuto-uke, uke-ushi. It also discusses the first leg techniques: yoko-geri, mae-geri. Two positions are studied zenkutsu-dachi and Kokutsu-dachi.
  
• Heïan Sandan.
  Heian means peace quiet. san dan means third level, it is the third kata Heian family (5 katas including the most basic techniques of karate). Heian Sandan contains 21 movements, this kata is based on the position kiba-dachi it seems inspired kata jion. It covers the ushi-uke blockages morote-uke, Empi-Uke, the uraken attacks fumikomi, Ushiro-Empi. Heian Sandan is a representative kata in close combat there are several techniques clearances.
• Heïan Yodan.
  Heïan Yodan kata Heian is the fourth, it is characterized by high dynamics, it contains a lot of leg techniques (yoko-geri, mae-geri geri-hiza) and double locks (Morote-Uke, kakiwake-uke) . Heian yodan contains 25 movements, one of its features is its particular rhythm alternating slow and fast, it has a lot of leg techniques (yoko-geri, mae-geri geri-hiza) and double locks (Morote-Uke kakiwake-uke). these..
  
• Heïan Godan
  Fifth and final kata Heian, Heian Godan addresses many new techniques and positions as kosa-dachi renoji-dachi mikazuki-geri. It takes place at a particular rhythm with alternating fast time and time means more lents.Heian quiet peace. go dan means fifth level, it is the fifth and last of the kata Heian family (5 katas including most basic techniques of karate). Heian Godan contains 22 movements, Heian Godan addresses many new techniques and positions as kosa-dachi renoji-dachi mikazuki-geri. It takes place at a particular rhythm with alternating fast times and slower times.
• Tekki Shodan
  Tekki Shodan is done entirely in kiba-dachi, another of its peculiarity is that this is done on a single means axe.Tekki rider iron. Shodan means the first level, it is the First Prev kata Tekki the family (3 kata whose peculiarity is to be performed on a single axis). Tekki Shodan contains 18 movements, it takes place entirely in kiba-dachi, another of its peculiarity is that this is done on a single axis and we realize the first nine movements in one direction and the next 9 to same in the opposite direction
• Bassaï Daï
  Bassai dai is a powerful and dynamic kata. This kata has more defense techniques that attack. It represents the transformation of an unfavorable combat situations favorable.Bassai dai means penetrate the fortress. it is a defensive kata from which heians katas were partly inspired. Bassai dai contains 39 movements, kata more than defense techniques that attack, it represents an unfavorable fight against multiple opponents that we turn to his advantage.
• Kanku Daï
  Kanku dai is the longest shotokan kata, it is also special for its first hands form a triangle-shaped opening to the sky look after this ouverture.Kanku dai means watch the sky. it is the longest Shotokan kata from which heians katas were partly inspired. Kanku dai contains 58 movements, it is also special for its first hands form a triangle-shaped opening to the sky look after this opening.
  
• Empi
  Empi kata is taking place on a fast tempo, it is characterized by its pivots, its evolution to the ground, climbs and descents center gravité.Empi means the flight of the swallow, referring to the many changes high and low positions as the flight of a swallow. Empi contains 36 movements, hip movements in this kata are very important, it also contains an atypical jump.
• Jion
  Jion refers to an old temple, it certainly comes from China start position clear reference to the chinoise.jion boxing refers to the name of a Buddhist temple. The starting guard is an element that suggests that belongs to an old school Chinese boxing. jion contains 44 movements. Its origin is probably the same as the jitte jiin and kata. It is a long and powerful kata.
• Hangetsu
  It is a respiratory kata part when moving the foot describe an arc of cercle.Hangetsu means Half Moon, when moving the foot describe an arc. Angetsu contains 35 movements. It is a respiratory kata. One of the main positions of this kata is Hangetsu-Dachi to which he gave his name.
• Tekki Nidan
  Tekki Nidan is the second Tekki kata, it is also done entirely in kiba-dachi and one axe.Tekki means the rider iron. nidan means second level, it is the second kata Tekki the family (3 kata whose characteristic is to be realized on a single axis). Tekki Nidan contains 20 movements, it takes place entirely in kiba-dachi, posture is strong and heavy, light when you move.
• Bassai Sho
  Bassaisho is the short version of bassai dai, it is nevertheless very distincts.Bassai sho means penetrate the fortress. Sho unlike dai means small condensed Bassai sho contains 28 movements, although it is supposed to be a condensed bassai dai, it is very different from bassai dai.
• Gankaku
  One peculiarity of Gankaku is the act of balancing on one leg on several occasions as a means grue.Gankaku crane on a rock. One of its characteristic is the act of balancing on one leg on several occasions as a crane. Gankaku contains 41 movements, this kata is very dynamic, employing various positions (including the position of the crane), the particulers shots and a pivot on a particular leg.
• Jiin
  jiin means love of buddha. The starting guard is the same as referring to jion an old school Chinese boxing. jiin contains 32 movements. It belongs to the same group of kata jion and jitte. This includes kata rapid changes direction in which it is necessary to maintain the balance of power and not the same distance.
• Jitte
  Umezawa is the representation of a fight against 10 personnes.jitte means 10 hands. The starting guard is the same as referring to jion an old school Chinese boxing. jitte contains 26 movements. It belongs to the same group of kata jion and jitte. This kata is a fight against 10 people, kata contains several defenses and entered against an opponent with a stick.
• Kanku Sho
  Kanku sho is the short version of kanku dai. They are nevertheless quite différents.Kanku sho means watch the sky. this is the short version of kanku-dai but néanmois contains 46 movements. Kanku sho though he is supposed to be the short version of kanku-dai is highly different from it. This kata has two jumps.
• Meikyo
  Meikyo is one of only performing kata defenses against a stick. It also has a jump particulier.meikyo means polishing the mirror. Meikyo is one of only performing kata defenses against a stick. It also has a special jump. meikyo contains 33 movements. It is the summary of the three former Rohai kata.
• Nijushiho
  Nijushiho kata is a particular rhythm alternating fast passages and passages lents.Nijushiho contains 33 movements. The principle in this kata is to capture the attack and remove the attacker in the samemouvement.
  
• Sochin
  Sochin is a special thanks to the kata fudo-dachi position (position between zenkutsu-dachi and kiba-dachi). Sochin means quiet strength. This kata is a dynamic pace. It is characterized by slow deliberate movements commingled with fast movements. sochin contains 35 movements. One of the main positions Sochin is Sochin-dachi to which he gave his name.
• Tekki Sandan
  Tekki Sandan is the third and last Tekki kata, it is also done entirely in kiba-dachi and one axe.Tekki means the rider iron. sandan means third level, it is the third of the kata Tekki family (3 kata whose characteristic is to be realized on a single axis). Tekki Sandan contains 21 movements, it takes place entirely in kiba-dachi, posture is strong and heavy, light when you move.
• Unsu
  Unsu is a compendium of several kata like Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Empi ... This is the only kata is performed in which a mawashi-hand geri.unsu means cloud. Unsu kata is a very spectacular visually. It contains special techniques such as nukite ippon. unsu contains 46 movements. This is the only kata in which we find a mawashi geri.
• Chinte
  Chinte is an old kata in which we find techniques such as nihon nukite (two "spikes" of the hand). Chinte means secret hand. Chinte is an old kata in which we find techniques such as nihon nukite (two "spikes" of the hand). Chinte contains 34 movements. Chinte is also special because it contains numerous circular techniques.
• Gojushiho Dai
  Gojushiho sho and dai Gojushiho are two of the longest of the shotokan kata with kanku dai dai sho and in this case does not refer only to the amplitude of mouvements.Gojushiho dai means not 54. Dai refers to the range of motion (more) there are some differences between the two katas. Gojushiho dai contains 54 movements.
• Gojushiho Sho
  Gojushiho sho and dai Gojushiho are two of the longest of the shotokan kata with kanku dai dai sho and in this case does not refer only to the amplitude of mouvements.Gojushiho sho means not 54. Sho refers to the range of motion (less detailed). Gojushiho sho contains 54 movements.
• Wankan
  The shorter of the kata means shotokan.wankan Crown King. It is the smallest of the shotokan kata style. Wankan contains 16 movements.

The kata are at the heart of the history of karate. Ils are the legacy bequeathed to us the great masters. The names of the kata often echo their Chinese origin, either by their naturalistic poetry, the name of the Lord who sent or when recently changed to more Japanese references. Most Japanese names are from Okinawa, and their meaning sometimes escapes us. We can only read kanji characters with which they are made, and guess what he was thinking that created them. In some cases the origin of the name is obvious. For others it can only be assumed. In fact, in most cases the kanji characters which are written the names of the kata are not known with certainty, and various Asian instructors could write the names of kata with different characters

. For various reasons, the creators of kata have not written a lot about their passion for martial arts and the concepts they wanted to go into the creating. A number of katas are lost in history. When a master was not suitable successor sometimes preferred to see his kata away with himself. There remained then only the name of the kata whose contents remained unknown. Sometimes the transmission is not completely finished when the master died, or disciple simply abandoned his practice.

Virtually no written could not be found, because the transmission of the knowledge of knowing Master students made orally, in addition to the time few could read or write. Usually a Master had an internal student (Uchi-Deshi) and an external student (Soto-Deschi)

. The official successor was Soto-Deschi, yet it is not the owner of all the keys of knowledge contained in the kata of the Master. These secrets were held by the Uchi-Deshi, resulting in a loss of some lessons. A karate kata is as a result of 20 to 60 techniques always executed in the same way, it is intended to convey the original principles of different Budos. Depending on the degree of difficulty of the kata, the karateka performs technical simulating a fight set in a precise path against several opponents. Sure, they are imaginary, but each technique must be performed with the mindset of a real fight. Thus, some karate techniques have been developed in a particular context, for example tobi-geri (flying kick) were used to throw a samurai on horseback. Kata formed until the last war with conventional attacks, the only form of teaching karate and contain all the techniques passed down from master, and devoting time karateka can discover an important source of growth . The very idea that you are trying to achieve a technique that has been passed from teacher to student for 50 years and in some cases for 400 years, is fascinating and can bring humility. These exercises provide much more than sweat and fatigue karate, they bring a sense of life.

HISTORIQUE

PREPARING PHYSIQUE in KARATÉ

BUNKAI the APPLICATION KATA

DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES

After reading about the history of Shotokan karate, I think I could write a book with all that I know. For cons, I could easily fill a library with all that I do not know ... Several names of styles, people or places may seem wrong. It must be said here that some names are Chinese, or their Japanese translation (Shaolin and Shorin example). Some experts had several names or nicknames. For example Matsumura was also called; Sokon, Soshun, Sobi, Munehide, Buseiatsu, Unyu or Bucho .... Karate or karate? Karate is the Japanese word karate and its French language. Throughout history, I will keep the Japanese word. Each table has a link to a full page, click on the title.

The way Bodhidarma
It is said that Bodai Daruma (Bodhidharma), an Indian Buddhist monk, after a long journey, asked asylum monks from the Shaolin Monastery in China around the year 520 AD Seeing his disciples in the exhaust long meditations. He concluded that the search for enlightenment by Zen should not be at the expense of the body, but by the union of body and mind.

So he taught his disciples a series of physical exercises to strengthen the body. This training method based on breathing techniques and bare knuckle fighting or stick, spread later in China under the name Kenpō literally method fists.

Okinawa, the birthplace of karate
Okinawa, which means rope on the ocean, is the main island of the archipelago of the Ryukyu Islands south of Japan. Traditional meeting point of Chinese and Japanese cultures, Okinawa became the place where was born the final form of unarmed combat. During the Japanese occupation of Okinawa, the use of weapons was banned a second time, forcing the inhabitants to develop most effective methods of combat using only their fists, their feet, and also instruments tillage. That is why some applications karate techniques are now difficult to explain: they were originally, to fight against swords, spears, naginatas ...

A mixture of Tō-de, local forms of combat or imported from elsewhere, eventually giving birth to the method called Okinawa-te, which will develop in three basic styles, Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari -you. To appear the following schools: those of Chojun Miyagi founder of Gōjū-ryū from Mabuni Kenwa father of Shito-Ryu, Hironori Otsuka founder of Wado-Ryu, Nagamine Soshin a father of Shorin-ryu style and Funakoshi who created the Shotokan-ryu. In 1902, the government introduced Okinawa Okinawa-te in secondary schools. Itosu Yasutstune became the first instructor. Subsequently, several masters teach their martial art go off the island. Funakoshi was one of those.

Itosu Yasutsune

The holy hand of Shuri-te, Itosu was born in Shuri in 1830. Son of civil servant, disciple of Soken Matsumura at the age of 16, he became one of the most respected martial artists in Okinawa during the 19th century. He was the private secretary of the king of the Ryukyu archipelago islands. This is largely thanks to him that we reached the tradition of Shuri-te, school Soken Matsumura. One of his major contributions was the firm belief of the importance of developing the personality of the person through the study of kata and bunkai, the technical application of kata.

In 1901, when the government introduced Okinawan karate schools, Master Itosu became the first person to teach Tō-of the Shuri-jinjo primary school. At that time the design of physical education was militaristic, military physicians realized during examinations that practitioners of this martial art were stronger. Gichin Funakoshi begin at that time studying in Tō-Sensei Itosu. It taught a Tō-of Shōrin style, characterized by high mobility and long techniques.

Matsumura Soken
Dubbed the Warrior (Bushi) Matsumura was born in 1797 in the city of Shuri on the island of Okinawa. Expert Okinawa-te Shorin style he had as martial arts Sakugawa, Kushanku, Iwah teachers and Yashuhiro Ijuin a Master of the school kendo Jigen the Shimazu clan of Satsuma. He worked as an officer and bodyguard for the last three kings of Ryukyu. He lived in China around the year 1830. Upon his return to Okinawa, he founded his school and began teaching his style Shorin-ryu Karate Gosoku-year (Shaolin Karate for defense of the homeland), a modified Chinese form. Among his most famous students we can name Kyan, Yabu, Itosu and Azato. From time to time he also taught Funakoshi. However, its greatest impact was made through two Masters Azato and Itosu. According to Matsumura, if you want to understand the essence of martial arts, you have to study hard. We recognize here the precept 20 Niju kun.

Azato Yasuzato

Little known, one of the best disciples of Matsumura, Azato is recognized by the fact of having taught Funakoshi. Yet he was considered the greatest karate expert of his time when he began to teach Funakoshi. This begins the practice of Okinawa-te to the age of 15 with Azato, who is the father of his schoolmaster. At the time, the Okinawan martial art was not taught to the general public. Classes are held at night secretly, away from prying eyes. His learning takes place in a traditional way at the time. It was while practicing one year to the next and only when the Master felt that the karateka was able to achieve perfectly. Learning a kata and could take several years. Kata in three years was a customary expression in old budos. Adept at swordsmanship school Jigen, c 'is that it comes one of the precepts of niju kun; Consider the arms and legs of people like swords.

Shomen Funakoshi and the Empire of the Rising Sun

Shomen Gichin Funakoshi is considered the father of modern karate. Importer of karate in Japan and founder of the Shotokan style, it has changed the initial form of Okinawan karate. This is why it is considered a founder in many dojos around the world. Son of Tominakoshi Gisu, he was born in the early years of the Meiji restoration in the region of Yamakawa in Shuri on Okinawa island. Sickly child, he learned the art of combat Ryukyu with different masters. At that time martial arts was banned by the government, and the drives had secretly at night.

His first job at age 21, he was an assistant teacher in a primary school. Later, promotion led him to work in Naha. "It was the greatest opportunity that allowed me more time and opportunity to practice karate." Became school teacher, he taught during the day and continue the practice of karate in the evening with Mr Azato.

Funakoshi Master Itosu then met in the early 20 th century. He participated with him in the first official demonstration of Okinawa-te, quickly followed by others throughout Japan. The present Japanese were so impressed that they asked him to remain in Japan to teach his technique. By the early 1920s, karate was implanted in Japanese elementary schools. It was at this time that it will change its name to Tominakoshi Funakoshi, the word Funa is a diminutive meaning, crossing the ocean by boat.

The growing popularity of karate prompted many other experts from Okinawa to come and teach their style in Japan. Although the techniques may differ, these karate masters obey the same basic principles. The success he meets then convinces him to move to Tokyo and begin the development of karate through universities to achieve its goals there. In 1922 Funakoshi established his own style, the Okinawa-te, who would become Shotokan on. In 1924 he opened his first club. Three years later there will be four more.

His school out of famous masters Nakayama, Nishiyama, Kanazawa and Nagamine. At the time Shotokan designated the name of his dojo and not the style. Shoto being the pen name had passed Master Funakoshi to sign poems. Responsible for teaching karate at the University of Tokyo, he never returned to Okinawa and died April 26, 1957 at the age of 88 years.

Funakoshi, the writer

Funakoshi wrote several books on karate, the most important is called Karate-Do Kyohan, text teaching Karate-dō.

The first edition of this book appeared in 1922. Its author, Master Funakoshi did not stop until his death in complete and correct content. It's Hoan Kosugi, a Japanese artist well known that convinced Funakoshi published the first book This work, whose scope is immense, is the most elaborate document that has never written about karate at this time .

Funakoshi is also the author of other works, such as Karate-dō Nyumon, Karate-dō, Ichiro, Ryū Kyū Kempo, Karate destroyed in 1923, and Rentan Goshin Karate Jutsu, which is a new version of the first.

Yoshitaka Funakoshi and his successor son

Yoshitaka continued to search his father ceased to age 70, he introduced new techniques such as yoko-geri, mawashi-geri and geri-ushiro. Taking the idea that Master Otsuka had issued some ten years ago, Yoshitaka introduced the notion of kumite. Ippon kumite is extended jyu ippon kumite and the jyu kumite. At that time karate was only a budō, and it was not until later that he will move towards a more sporty design. There was indeed a form of shiai, the kokan geiko who was the ancestor of the current competition.

In 1945, his health deteriorated, Yoshitaka is hospitalized and eventually died of tuberculosis. The first effective treatment for this disease appeared in 1940-1950. At the time he took the responsibility of Shotokan, at the age of 30, he had exceeded the limit of 10 years of life that the doctors had attached. His personal style is one that many karate adopt later.

The Shotokan dojo

The construction of the Shotokan dojo began in 1935 and was completed the following year. The dojo is located in the district of Meijuroko Tokyo. The money comes from a collection held in the country. Funakoshi arrived one morning at the dojo to see a sign above the door where his students had written Shotokan, home of Shoto. The original Shotokan means the building and not the style, "Kan" means the place, and the dojo "Shoto" is the pseudonym under which Funakoshi wrote his poems. Literally means Shoto rippling pines in the wind.

Masatoshi Nakayama

Nakayama Sensei was born in 1913 in the city of Yamaguchi in Japan. Initiated in kendo Naotoshi by his father, he joined 19 years Takushoku University of Tokyo to study languages ​​and history. It was at this time that he began karate. He spent five years of his life under Master Funakoshi. He then moved to Tokyo to Beijing as part of his university studies to deepen their knowledge of the history of China, and perfect Mandarin. It comes in contact with the Chinese masters who introduced boxing. Nakayama spent eleven years in China to return to Tokyo in 1945 after the defeat of Japan to resume practicing karate with Master Funakoshi. He founded in 1949 with former disciples of old master, the Japan Karate Association. It will be the main presenter until his death. Among his many achievements are the creation of the JKA, an organization of 10 million members in over 155 countries of karate as a sport, the JKA organized the first tournament in 1957 "All Japan Karate Tournament" which was the first world championship in karate and the instructors of the JKA program and the development of karate in the USA and the rest of the world.The 14 April 1987 Masatoshi Nakayama died at the age of 74.

Sensei Okazaki said of him: He was a true master of karate that has completely absorbed the philosophy, techniques and ideas Funakoshi, and has devoted his life to the passing world. Until his death, he continued to travel to teach, impart knowledge, while writing some twenty books on karate: "Dynamics of Karate" (2 volumes), the series "Best Karate", " The Karate Katas "(5 volumes) and" Karate Superior "(11 volumes). Gichin Funakoshi died April 26, 1957. Two months later, Nakayama organize the first All Japan Karate Championships. The winner was a man who later became a reference in the Shotokan Karate: Hirokazu Kanazawa.

Taiji Kase

Born in Japan in 1929, he studied at first Judo and Aikido. He knows his first karate training in the Navy, in a very brutal way, and then trains in the dojo Yoshitaka Funakoshi, the son of Gichin Funakoshi, great master who has integrated Karate in modern Japan, as Master Nakayama was able to spread it worldwide.

As the greatest Japanese masters in the mid 60s, as Master Kanazawa for example, is responsible for the disclosure of this discipline throughout the world and visit South Africa, the United States and Europe. It was on the initiative of Master Plée, as we found Jean-Pierre Bergheaud, there comes a day in 1967 at Gare de Lyon in Paris. Three people welcome Henry Plée, an Italian friend and Jean Pierre Lavorato, its oldest student in France is undoubtedly the leader of this movement of Karate.

Hirokazu Kanazawa

Two months after the death of Funakoshi. Master Masatoshi Nakayama organized the first All Japan Karate Championships. The winner was Hirokazu Kanazawa. Kanegawa Kanazawa Sensei was born in 1940. It is one of the last direct students Gichin Funakoshi at the University of Takushoku. He continued as a student of master Nakayama and was the first champion of Japan for two consecutive years in 1957 and 1958. He managed to win the final of 1957 with a fractured hand. The following year, after four extensions, judges désignèrent two champions, Mikami and Kanazawa. His long teaching career began in 1960. He then founded the International Shotokan Karate Federation. It is now 10th Dan. Since that time, Sensei Kanazawa is recognized and respected worldwide.

Tora No Maki

Shotokan Karate is usually represented by the Tora No Maki, a symbol found on the book's cover Gichin Funakoshi Karate-Do Kyohan. This design was painted by Hoan Kosugi, a friend and student of Gichin Funakoshi, renowned Japanese artist and president of Tabata Popular Club. He made this drawing with a brush specifically to illustrate the cover of the book Funakoshi and irregular circle indicates he did at once. The character up in the quadrant of the circle northeast part of the signature of the artist Kosugi, who had previously helped the founder, is the one who convinced Funakoshi published a book that has long been considered the bible of karate.

Shotokan Katas

Filmed after the Second World War, following 20 of the 26 Shotokan kata. An invaluable testimony of the past, those who were there before us ...

The kata are demonstrated by Senseis of JKA: Enoeda, Kanazawa, Shirai, Kase, Asai, Nakayama Shoji Mikami, Ueki, Mori, Yamaguchi and Sugiura. The last two kata Heian Godan and Tekki Shodan, are demonstrated by Gichin Funakoshi (Tekki Shodan 1924) and his son Yoshitaka (Heian Godan). My secret hope is that people fail to grasp the Way of Karate to attach themselves to open to others. In this case, my joy and gratitude would know no bounds. Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate-Do.