Meaning of the name Destroy, Disrupt Moves: 32

Saifa

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Medium

Saifa is a tough Kata, and its techniques practice breaking the opponent's attack or destroying or breaking a grip or hold. The application of the technique primarily requires willpower rather than physical strength. The techniques used are effective and painful even with little physical strength. Additionally, Saifa places high demands on balance and the ability to generate explosive power. Lateral evasive movements and a technique in which one literally goes around the opponent and reaches their back are other specific features of the Kata. Some techniques suggest that it originates from the Crane style. Furthermore, in concept and structure, it shows a strong connection to the Seienchin Kata.

Meaning of the name Four fighting monkeys Moves: 44

Shisochin

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Medium

The name Shisochin is also interpreted as "Fighting in 4 Directions." This is meant philosophically as well, since the Kata also includes diagonal directions, so there are more than just four. Shisochin originates from the Tiger style and is a very powerful yet calm Kata. It has only two individual techniques, all other techniques are repeated up to four times, suggesting a relation to Suparimpei and Sanseiru. Shisochin is said to be a very old Kata. Its training demands less in terms of endurance and speed, and more in the ability to generate explosive power. It contains very direct attacks, escape techniques against attacks from behind, and a variety of arm locks up to joint breaking. Practiced properly, it expresses self- confidence and a kind of serene superiority. This is especially true for the version practiced in Shito-Ryu. In particular, the middle section of the Kata is performed and interpreted differently depending on the school (Goju-Ryu/Shito-Ryu). It is difficult to practice the Kata at the correct speed, as it quickly appears frantic and loses its character if done too fast. Strangely, this also applies in reverse to the slow movements of the Kata.

Meaning of the name Silence before the storm Moves: 54

Seienchin

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Medium

Seienchin is probably the "most popular" Kata of Naha-te. It is an extremely harmonious Kata, whose name translates to 'calm before the storm' and aptly describes the character of the Kata. In the first part of the Kata, where six techniques are repeated three times, a unique sense of calm and dignity is expressed. Unexpectedly and suddenly, a true storm of powerful techniques with changing speed follows. For this reason, Seienchin is considered the typical Goju-Ryu Kata. In no other Kata are the two aspects, hard and soft, expressed so clearly. It is notable that the Kata does not include any foot techniques. There are differing opinions, sometimes associating the Kata with the Crane style, sometimes with the Tiger style. Considering the typical Katas of the Crane style such as Nipaipo, Rohai, Chinto, or even Hakutsuru, Seienchin would have to be classified as an untypical Kata of this style based solely on its concept. Perhaps Seienchin is actually influenced by both styles? The concept or structure of the Kata bears much similarity to that of the Kata Saifa.

Meaning of the name Thirtysix Moves: 50

Sanseiru

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Medium

The names of the Kata Sanseiru, Seisun, Seipai, and Suparimpei refer to numbers that are said to carry certain mysticism. For example, the number 13 (Seisun) is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture. The case of Sanseiru is a bit more complicated. The basis for interpreting the name is the result of multiplying 6 x 6, which equals 36. The first 6 is then assigned the attributes of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. The second 6 refers to color, voice, taste, smell, touch, and justice. Dividing 36 by two yields 18, which is the significance of the name Seipai. Multiplying 36 by 3 gives 108, and this is the meaning of Suparimpei. A lot of meaningful information can be derived from numbers, and from bones as well (according to some fortune tellers), but perhaps instead of pondering the mysticism of a Kata's name 36 times, one should rather train it 36 times, especially since it is not certain that the Kata names are still authentic today. Many Katas have been renamed, or the names have been translated from Chinese into Okinawan, which can easily lead to misinterpretations. Much more important and interesting is that Sanseiru contains a fundamental concept that resembles the Katas Shisochin and Suparimpei. These are the only Okinawan Kata in which techniques are repeated four times. All other Kata include two, three, or five repetitions. And the technical combination that is repeated four times in Sanseiru contains four techniques. In Suparimpei, four techniques are repeated twice and two techniques are repeated once, each repeated four times. In Shisochin, one technique is repeated four times. This at least suggests that all three Kata were developed with the same conceptual ideas. So, they probably originate from the same Chinese school. However, Sanseiru is associated with the Dragon style and Shisochin with the Tiger style. Suparimpei could be influenced by both styles. All three Kata start with Sanchin Dachi and Morote Yoko Uke (called Uchi Uke in Shotokan), Shisochin with Kaishu (open hand). Sanseiru is considered an advanced Kata with strong attacking techniques, especially Kansetsu Geri targeting the knee. It contains many throwing techniques and diagonal Evasive maneuvers and a total of 7 kicks.

Meaning of the name Thirteen Moves: 56

Seisun

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

The number 13 is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture. But is it a fortunate circumstance to tear the opponent's larynx, as Seisun (old version) teaches? Seisun is probably the oldest Kata of Naha-te. In Shuri-te, a Seishan (Sesan) is known, which is considered the Shuri-te version of Seisun, but is actually an independent Kata that also served as the basis for Shotokan's Hangetsu. Seisun is a high-level Kata. From the outside, it sometimes appears light and lacking in expression. However, anyone who trains the Kata seriously comes to appreciate its unique inner dynamics. It also begins with Morote Yoko Uke in Sanchin Dachi but then follows a structure different from Sanseiru, Shisochin, and Suparimpei. Various techniques from Seisun also appear in Seienchin, Suparimpei, and Sanchin. Kansetsu Geri is also performed, as in Sanseiru. One could speculate a lot about whether Seisun is actually an older Chinese Kata or a more recent Okinawan development. In any case, the creator of the Kata, as in many cases, remains unknown. However, this does not change the value of the Kata. And based on the techniques used, I suspect it belongs to the Tiger style. In some schools, however, the attack to the throat is hidden or obscured.

Meaning of the name Eightteen Moves: 47

Seipai

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

Just as the number 36 is considered mystical in Sanseiru, the number 18 is also regarded and described mystically. In this case, 3 x 6 = 18, and as in Sanseiru, the 6 is again associated with the attributes eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind, while the three stand for good, evil, and peace. This interpretation, as in Sanseiru, Seisun, and Suparimpei, is not without doubt and is probably of more recent origin. The character and content of the Kata are not accurately described by these interpretations of the names. Seipai is an extraordinary Kata with very strong self-defense techniques, especially against grabs. Seipai is very versatile. No technique is repeated more than twice. It begins with a very difficult combination of techniques which, when performed correctly, express a high degree of dignity, strength, and assertiveness. The transition between calm and dynamic techniques is striking. The calm, smoothly soft technique is followed, like an explosion, by the fast, dynamic technique. The Kata teaches a "wild," determined fighting style for close-range combat and includes many throwing and joint-lock techniques. Footwork in the form of tai-sabaki and turns places the highest demands on coordination and balance. Seipai is associated with the crane style and is overall of a high level. The concept, structure, and some techniques are reminiscent of the Kata Kururunfa.

Meaning of the name Hold and Destroy Moves: 52

Kururunfa

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

The Kata is in many parts similar to the Kata Niseishi, a Kata which was done in the Aragaki school of Niigaki (a village between Tomari and Naha). Kururunfa is the only original Kata of Goju-Ryu which don't start to the front but to the left side. In former times it did start with Kote Uke and Otoshi Empi and more Hiraken was used. This allows to suppose that the Kata comes from the chinese style of Leopard. Some the techniques will be done flashlight, similar to the praw of a cat. In the rhythm of changes of speed (from slow to fast) we see a advanced skills and explosivity. The relationship to the Nijushiho (Nisesihi) is not only by the concept and Enbusen of the Kata, but also to see in the include techniques especially the combinations. And this is even more to see in Nijushiho than in the original version Niseishi. Kururunfa is known as the bone brake Kata. A lot of it’s techniques, including the throwing techniques, are for to brake bones or joints. It's not good to have a wrong impression in view of some slowly and mooth movements. The Bunkai will show the painful true.

Meaning of the name Onehundredeight Moves: 108

Suparimpei

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

It‘s Chinese name is Peichurin. Suparimpei is the longest Kata of Naha-te. Four difficult technical combinations are each repeated four times. Furthermore, it contains a variety of combinations with turns of up to 360 degrees and a very difficult Nidan-Geri to execute. The peculiarity of the quadruple repetition, which it shares with Sanseiru and Shisochin, suggests that these three Katas originate from the same Chinese school. In this case as well, a significance for the number 108 has been sought. Sometimes it is said that 108 masters were involved in the development of Suparimpei. Or it is believed that it contains 108 different techniques, up to the 108 evil traits of humans. Depending on the version of the Kata, there are also a total of 108 movements. And only a few Katas, such as the old form of Hakutsuru, have even more movements. Suparimpei contains very different techniques. Some are very complex in their application, others require a strong will for uncompromising attack. On the surface, it is not difficult to learn the sequence of the Kata. However, it is extremely difficult to execute the techniques correctly. Some require a special softness and flexibility of the hips, with synchronous yet powerful arm movements, along with a special breathing technique. In contrast to fast, acrobatic Katas like Unsu, the difficulty of Suparimpei lies in the details and remains hidden to the untrained eye. The older versions of the Kata are even considerably more difficult than today's (straightened) versions.

Meaning of the name Three phases Moves: 48

Sanchin

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

Sanchin is considered the most important Kata of Naha-te. In Sanchin, it is less about the combat principles and more about the potential of the Kata for the physical development of the practitioner. Daily training of Sanchin strengthens the muscles and, in particular, the ability for isometric tension, from individual muscles and muscle groups to the complete contraction of all muscles, which is very difficult and requires a high level of concentration. Furthermore, Sanchin enhances breathing, teaching not only a special form of exhalation using the muscles in the diaphragm area but also the ability to control and increase muscle tension through breathing to compensate for the impact of blows. With perfect mastery of this technique, this happens automatically at the moment of impact. The rule applies that anyone who can perform Sanchin more than twice in a row does not do so with the full effort required for the Kata. But it is precisely this effort that is necessary to train successfully with Sanchin. In earlier times and in some schools like Uechi-Ryu, the Kata is still used today for hardening. For this purpose, during the execution of the Kata, strikes are made with a stick or fists to the abdomen, back, arms, and legs. Sanchin is neither a versatile, elegant, nor aesthetically pleasing Kata. It is a uncompromising power Kata, and despite its apparent simplicity, it takes years to master it. Historically, a kinship with Happoren is suspected. However, Happoren also includes soft principles and differs greatly from Sanchin. At best, one could assume that Sanchin represents a kind of preliminary exercise for Happoren. This is not proven, and one could also believe that Sanchin simply exists to be Sanchin and to strengthen the body. The original version is trained with open hands and also includes fast movements with an associated very difficult breathing technique. Chojun Miyagi changed these to the version practiced today with a closed fist. In this case, it was probably less about the reduced danger of techniques with a closed fist than rather about the fact that the muscle tension can be practiced much more easily using the closed fist. However, the Ibuki breathing used by Miyagi is suspected to be bad for health. While breathing techniques can indeed affect heart activity, the extent to which this breathing technique promotes heart disease (as is suspected) has neither been studied nor proven.

Meaning of the name Turning palms Moves: 44

Tensho

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Goju-Ryu / Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

This Kata was developed by Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju-Ryu. Probably based on the Kata Rokkishu, which, however, is not officially taught in any known school. The nature of the technique suggests a relation to the Praying Mantis school. Some assume that Sanchin represents the hard part and Tensho the soft part of Happoren. Other theories refer to the Kata Hakufa as the basis for Tensho. However, the better-known theory is that Chojun Miyagi developed the Kata after studying and modeling it on the Kata Rokkishu as a clear practice form of Ju, the soft part of his Goju-Ryu, which he created based on the karate of Kanryo Higashionna (Shorei-Ryu, Naha). And indeed, it is very difficult to practice the Kata Tensho with its own and necessary softness. It is all too easy to fall into the concept of kime and tension. The idea that one can achieve effect with a soft, loose, relaxed movement seems too far-fetched. In any case, Tensho is the absolute opposite of Sanchin, although the last four techniques of both Katas are almost identical. But precisely this makes it difficult to practice Tensho to the end in the Ju range. Unlike Sanchin, the technical application of Tensho is extremely versatile. Defense and counterattack can be executed at any level and at any time. Both the blocking and attacking techniques are very short and yet very painful. Tensho, like Sanchin, is practiced exclusively in Sanchin Dachi, with three steps forward and four steps back. A turn as in Sanchin does not exist. Very few can resist the elegance of this Kata. It is often practiced at the beginning (as a warm-up exercise) and towards the end of a training session. And perhaps it is precisely practicing it at the end of a tough workout, when you have no energy left and it is really hard to make an effort, that is the right moment for this Kata, which does without strength, fast movements, hardness, and kime. Moreover, it is probably the only Kata in which no kiai is intended. Whether Tensho was primarily influenced by Happoren, Hakufa, or Rokkishu is of less importance; ultimately, only Chojun Miyagi himself could provide the answer as to which ideas led him to develop Tensho.