Notes on Karate

[Note:] This document is a work in progress, and is expected to change, have references added, links, etc.

This style of martial art was once called Ryukyu Kenpo Toudi Jutsu^PatM99. This might be roughly translated as Okinawan Kenpo Chinese (Tang) Hand. Karate is the result of Okinawans learning from White Crane Kung Fu (Quanfa) masters, and Southern Shaolin Monks, in Naha parks and while visiting China.

Karate follows templates and techniques, and two person drills, that were then adapted into simplified and new kata. Kata are forms that express what a defender might do in a particular fighting scenario, or with a particular approach or attitude to defence. Kata is the foundation of traditional Okinawan Karatedo.

I started martial arts in the early 1980s with my father showing me Japanese Judo, Nevada. He signed me up with Cottonwood Goju in Utah. Over time, I learned some English boxing, and some Wadoryu from a student of Osaka Toshio. My lineage chart includes Jimmy Bartell's Goju Kyokai, and influences from Taguchi (Shoreikan), the Jundokan International (Chinen), Peter Urban, and Lou Angel of the NCMA, (both students of Yamaguchi of the Japanese Goju-Kai).

Other parts of Karate have different katas, mostly from the lineages of Matsumura, Itosu, and Higaona (Kanryo). Miyagi's Geikesais and Itosu's Pinan (Heian) katas are used for introductory techniques. Sanchin or Naihanchi are used as funadmental katas. The rest go with the system of the teacher. I don't believe in Karate styles unless you understand that every teacher presents a unique style. I believe that Karate katas have original bunkai (practical applications), though the different schools of Karate have different approaches to teaching, and will often give myriad interpretations (oyo), especially with beginners where the more lethal, traditional techniques are reserved.

I like these two videos demonstrating the Geikesai katas:

The primary origin schools of Goju-ryu are Shodokan (Higa), Shoreikan (Taguchi), Meibukan (Yagi), and the Jundokan (Miyatozato). All other existing schools of Goju-ryu are derived from (or influenced by) these. Miyagi did not teach kabudo (Chinese weapons), but the Kodokan (Matayoshi), attached to Higa Seiko's dojo, is closely related. (Shinken Taira is the other if not the primary origin of Okinawan Kabudo^PM99). The classical katas of Goju-ryu are as follows^GH18:

Sanchin: Instruction at the Goju Karate Musuem in Okinawa. Sanchin from Goju-ryu and Uechi-ryu is a kihon kata based on the White Crane Sanzhan demonstrating the whooping crane style breathing and power generation, and often understood as a grappling foundation. Goju-ryu often starts instruction of this with the first part of the kata, especially with the nigiri game, jars held while stepping up and down the dojo.
Seisan: The Goju version is subtly different from other Okinawan schools, and the Wado version is a different but similar kata, both being smaller parts of the larger White Crane form, and likely the oldest known in Okinawa.
Sanseiru: It appears Miyagi did not learn this from Higaonna. Compare with Toon-ryu, and perhaps Shodokan (Higa) differences, which is likely much closer to what Higaonna taught. This video is what is typical of Miyagi's students.
Suparenpei: Higa was a student with Miyagi under Hiagonna Kanryo, and the only student of Miyagi's to open an authorized dojo during Miyagi's life time. It's an old video, missing the transition into the deep shikodachi, only showing the last part of that sequence, but the primary moves are complete, and the kata otherwise intact.
Tensho: This is Yagi Meitatsu, the eldest son of Meitoku who received Miyagi's obi. Comparing Yamaguchi Gogen's performance, as well as what we've seen transmitted to Peter Urban and Lou Angel, the Yagi influence on Goju-Kai is clear with its round motions. Oddly, this gets mistaken for Sanchin. It is sometimes the last kata taught in Goju-ryu (as it is one the newest of Miyagi's katas), but also taught early, depending on the school. It is the soft to Sanchin's hard, and thought to be based on Rokkishu.
Saifa: Chinen was a neighbor of Miyagi and learned young in the garden dojo, but mostly from Miyatzato at the Jundokan. He founded the Jundokan International in Washington. Like Higaonna Mario, legend has it he conferred with Miyagi Ani'chi in modifying his technique. One of his students teaches in Utah.
Seyunchen
Shisochin
Seipei: This is footage of Miyatzato Eiichi sensei demonstrating kata at the Jundokan hanbo dojo. Though Yagi was the senior student at Miyagi's death, Miyazato was picked by Miyagi's family as the successor, and some of Miyagi's students helped with the building of the Jundokan dojo.
Kururunfa: This is Matayoshi Shinpo, the famous kabudo master that often taught in Higa Seiko's dojo. Higa's son performs this kata here, but starting from the right instead of the more common left. Older forms started by blocking up from the inside and then elbowing down, where these round from the outside and down.

Like most of karate outside Goju-ryu schools, Wado-ryu teaches the five Pinan (or Heian) katas to kyu level ranks. The primary (but not only) katas of Wado-ryu are as follows ^OS81:

Kushanku: A demonstration from Otsuka Hironori, the founder of Wado-ryu
Naifanchi: A demonstration from Otsuka Hironori, the founder of Wado-ryu
Seishan: A demonstration from Otsuka Hironori. Notice the slower first half of the kata.
Chinto: Demonstration by Otsuka

Though it is possible to learn karate from a book, or from internet videos, it is impossible to fully comprehend or master karate fundamentals, or be recognized as a black belt, without a qualified teacher. Karatedo is a life time path and discipline, and a good teacher is necessary to set someone on the same path that they followed. However, for beginners, I recommend the books on Karate fundamentals^ST76 from Toguchi (Goju-ryu) and Ohgami (Wado-ryu)^OS95.

Find a dojo near you, making it easier to establish a consistent pattern, so training is a life time activity. It's better not to experiment, but find a sensei that works for you, and that you can stay with. Master what they teach. From there the path is perfecting (not perfection of) the art you've been taught, a respect for others and the implications of all martial arts, self improvement, and continuing to glean the original templates and intention of the classical katas. This is the do in Karate.

References

[GH18]: The Kata and Bunkai of Goju-ryu Karate, Giles Hopkins, Blue Snake Books, 2018
[OS81]: Karate Katas of Wadoryu, Ohgami Shingo, Wadokai Karatedo AB 1981
[OS95]: Introduction to Karate, Ohgami Shingo, Japanska Magasinet, Goeteborg 1995
[PM99]: Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts, Koryu Uchinadi 1, Patrick McCarthy, Turtle Publishing, 1999
[PatM99]: Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts, Koryu Uchinadi 2, Patrick McCarthy, Turtle Publishing, 1999
[ST76]: Okinawan Goju-ryu: Fundamentals of Shorei-kan Karate, Toguchi Seikichi, Ohara Communications, and later Century Martials Arts, 1976