Kaishugata & Timing Part One

Kaishugata & Timing

A little while ago we talked about what Heishugata is all about.  I know it was just an basic overview, to which you'll learn more and more as you advance with your own sensei as well as figure things out on your own by drilling, asking questions, drilling some more to develop your muscle memory and your breathing. However, Kaishugata is another thing.  Goju Ryu Black Belts, especially those who are training for your Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) rank must also work on the required Kaishugata depending on their rank.

JKF Requirements Besides Sanchin and Tensho

• Shodan = Saifa
• Nidan = Seiunchin
• Sandan = Sanseiru
• Yondan = Shisochin
• Godan = Seipai
• Rokudan = Seisan
• Nanadan = Kururunfa
• Hachidan = Suparimpei

Now just so that I don't upset the traditionalists or the modernists, I'd like to put out there that I used to practice competitive kata however, now I focus mainly on Shinsa (testing) kata, which is more traditional as JKF Goju Kai is trying hard to bring it back to the roots by allowing the top Goju minds, including Jundokan, to study and deciminate the information back down to its branch organizations. 

Seiwa Kai USA has some good seminars they hold in the USA by inviting certain Goju senseis who really focus on the mechanics as well as take time to break down how they are currently teaching kata in Japan. Said guests to include, Saito Sensei, who is a top competitor in the Japanese National Karate scene as well as Seiwa Kai head, Fujiwara Sensei, who are both phenomenal in how they bring the topic of Kaishugata to the table.  I, myself, have been lucky enough to translate for Fujiwara Sensei and other great senseis who have visited through our sister Goju Kaiha, Seiwa Kai.

Eibu kan, under Hamabata Sensei has had the honor of learning from our Shihan, Hisanaga Yoshihiro, and let me tell you he has been an eye opener when we have the opportunity to have him visit our dojo.  Our dojo training becomes a one or two week seminar to go over all Goju Ryu Kaishugata and sometimes we feel that we can't soak up the information enough.  While it is difficult for many of the beginners to keep pace, our Black Belts assimilate the information as much as we can and then compare notes after each of Hisanaga Sensei's visits.  Shihan's teaching always include kihon mastery.  Without it kata is a disaster.  

Each Goju Kaishugata has meaning and purpose.  I believe that if we don't understand the spirit behind each kata, we will not understand the depth of each kata fully. Unlike Heishugata which focuses on tension, Kaishugata focuses on timing of the tension depending on the techniques executed.  Transition of movement or transition from stance to stance is very important... your embusen... must not be too shallow or must not be too deep depending on the angle of attack or angle of defense.  45, 90, 180 etc degree turns require accurate timing and "kime" however that "kime" can only be determined by the application of said tension at particular points during technique execution within the kata.  This is what makes Kaishugata different from Heishugata, where Heishugata continually maintains said tension mainly throughout the kata without completely losing it, and where Kaishugata you focus on tension at particular points.

My thought is this when practicing particular Kaishugatas.

1. Learn what the objective of the kata is.  What does the name of the kata mean?
2. How can I apply my techniques to meet that objective?  Does the execution of my technique give the kata justice?
3. How can I make the kata mine?  Do I understand the bunkai of the kata?

Just some thoughts that go through my head when I work out any of the 10 Kaishugata in Goju Ryu.  BTW... breaking down bunkai is great!  What's even greater is when you sit down and learn bunkai from some of the current top minds in Goju as they show you how they interpret our katas.  I suggest if you can sign up for some of the upcoming seminars through Seiwa Kai USA or California Goju Ryu Association, I would do so just so that I can experience the mastery they bring to our art.

Heishugata & Tension

Heishugata & Tension

Most casual practitioners may wonder what heisugata and kaishugata are and how they help us develop our Karate.  Goju Ryu is unique in the fact that in the basic curriculum there are only 12 kata, of which, two are categorized as heishugata and the remaining ten katas are considered kaishugata.  Now, its only fair for me to list those, but many of you may already know which is which.

Heishugata

• Sanchin
• Tensho

Kaishugata

• Gekisai 1
• Gekisai 2
• Saifa
• Seiunchin
• Sanseiru
• Shisochin
• Seipai
• Seisan
• Kururunfa
• Suparimpei (Pechurrin)
• This kata is done differently than you see on YouTube as most are shown in competition.
• Other ryuha such as Shotokan have developed derivatives to adjust to their style.
• Called Hyakuhachiho but in competition may be announced as Suparimpei

While Goju Ryu may not have the impressive selection of kata choices that Shotokan or Shito Ryu offers, Goju Ryu focuses on the 12 above.  Other Kaiha (styles or organizations) within Goju may have developed other kata, training katas, or kata variants depending on the lineage (such as Gekiha (Shorei Kan) or Taikyoku Series (Yamaguchi) kata) but also focus on the above as well.  Many of the kata above, you will see in other Ryuha such as Seiunchin, Seisan, and Kururunfa, which are interesting variants to study.  One thing that I would like to point out is that none of those variants are incorrect, however, there is a depth of understanding the kata and executing the techniques intended by Miyagi Chojun and other Goju forefathers is where the deep understanding comes to life and makes studying the twelve Goju katas very meaningful.

When training kata we may or may not hear the terms Heishugata or Kaishugata.  The funny thing is that if you are at the level where Sanchin and Tensho are mandatory, then you have already begun your understanding of the difference.

Miyagi Chojun taught both Sanchin and Tensho as Heishugata.  While some instructors may breakdown Heishugata as "Closed Hand Kata," as a practitioner just learning Tensho may be confused when told that Tensho is a "Closed Hand Kata" especially when most techniques are open handed. 

The depth of the Heishugata inteded for pratitioners to understand is not if your hands are open or if they are closed.  Heishugata concentrates on the continuous tension required for the kata.  Sanchin was developed for the"GO" aspect or the HARD aspect in Goju, and Tensho later developed to represent the "JU" or the SOFT aspect of our art.  However, just becuase it is hard and soft, this alone doesn't dictate the reason why they are both Heishugata.

Between the two Heishugata in Goju, the best way to describe how tension is held to a beginner, is through the manipulation of tension and muscle memory to acheive a style of body hardening (I think of the image of how a hammer strikes an anvil or pistons when senseis check for tension).  Senseis will be looking at key areas including our core, gluts, traps, lats, quads, hams, all the way down to our toes to see where our tension lies.  A veteran will be able to harness the tension and sync it with their breathing in order to complete the execution of the kata, especially in Sanchin.

Tensho is a different animal.  While the techniques are mainly open handed, your body reacts similarly to that of Sanchin but different in the thought of tension.  While the central mass tension is very similar, arm and leg tension is closer to that one squeezing water out of a wet cloth.  Kiyohara Sensei explained it very clearly to me in Japanese.  He used two specific terms when describing tension in Tensho.  "Nebari" and "Shiboru" are the two terms he used quite often. In simple terms, "Nebari" tension has a viscosity aspect to it.  Think of your "sticky hands" training (if you don't know what "sticky hands" training is consult your sensei)  "Shibori" tension is more of a wringing, squeezing and pressing sensation.  Both types of tension in Tensho are important concepts that must be understood in order to understand the depth of the kata.

So fundementally, both Heishugata are designated by the continual tension that must be applied, learning how to intesify and learning how to relax without losing all of the tension to execute the kata is part of the training that permeates down to basics all the way through Kaishugata, where tension is adjusted to the flow and execution of the techniques involved.

If people are interested in learning more about the flow and applying tension in Kaishugata, please let me know.  I can have another post for that specific topic and we can concetrate on a single Kaishugata at time like if we were breaking down the kata during bunkai.