Shihan's Comment: This kata is going to require defensive and offensive moves, but most important we introduce Kokutsu Dachi stance and Shuto Uke block. Kokutsu Dachi is very demanding, even much more than horse stance (Kiba Dachi). I personally have practiced this stance for decades and still feel I will never emulate Soshu S. Oyama showing me how to do this stance at the old "Barn" 27 years ago. When Soshu showed this stance to me, watching him get into Ko was absolutely amazing. It was smooth, just perfect form. Of course you can check out the picture I have of Kancho Tadashi Nakamura at the Dojo in this stance.
Yoi, come to ready, hands to cross in front of body, right hand inside, coming up to as though to grab your ears. As your hands come down, make a fists using pinky and thumb tight, bend the knees, lower your center of gravity in unison. You will come to heiko dachi stance (parallel stance), hands come down with strength movement to middle area of body. After attaining opening position take 80% off your dynamic tension, relax but do not relax. Now eyes look straight ahead, and gaze on one point in front of you. Listen for commands from your Sensei. Repeat after your Sensei Kihon (basic) Sono Go (so you understand which form you are asked to do). Sensei will say either ippon count (one move at a time) or no count, make sure you understand with a loud Osu!
Ichi: First moves need to be dynamic and this holds to be true again. Slide the right foot back into Kokutsu dachi (defensive stance) while you perform the shuto uke block. This move requires looking at this "Bunkai" (one move study). There is no getting around this move either as with other forms up to this point in your Martial Arts study. This is only kata number 5 and the complexity will continue to demand exactness from you, period. When sliding back (okuriashi), lower your center, shift your weight to the back leg (70% on back leg, 30% on front leg). You need to stick out your buttocks, supporting leg will bare most of the weight, deep ko. While doing this stance you need to execute shuto uke block. This block requires left forearm inside the right forearm hands up to your ears. Elbows close to the body, then left forearm in unison with the right forearm simultaneously execute this block left forearm lip high with shuto and right hand solar plexus high just barely touching the gi, palm up.
Ni: Putting weight on the back leg is a must to be able to execute a chudan front snap kick (mae-ashi geri) and maintain balance. This move requires an additional continuation of staying low. Left foot forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, right chudan gyaku tsuki, kia strong and powerful.
Note: Study Kokutsu Dachi/Shuto Uke Block in Kyoten Textbook # 4 page 96.
San: Staying low while maintaining Zen stance reverse punch (turning those hips). Right foot slides forward into Zenkutsu dachi, now executing a right shuto uke. (Recommend that you practice this shuto uke in Zen stance up and down line, once you do that, then do Zen to ko as a combination move to get use to this kata requirements.) Now right foot pulls back to right foot forward into kokutsu dachi, execute right mae ashi geri, right foot slides forward into Zen stance, execute left chudan gyaku tsuki, Kia strong and powerful.
Note: Moves 1 & 2 are really important as you need to demonstrate mastering ko to Zen stance Zen to ko , shuto to gyaku. The rest of the kata is pure basics and I feel this is when you can open up and move out maintaining basic form down the line and back.
Shi: Left foot slides forward into zenkutsu dachi, front knee bent, execute left jodan uke (remember to centerline this block), right chudan gyaku tsuki (this combination should be executed as with the others to follow quickly, powerfully, crisp, period). Stay low, do not let your belt weave or bob up and down doing these next five moves.
Go: Right foot slides forward into zenkutsu dachi, right chudan soto uke, (big motion here, touch the back of your head) and cut through centerline while executing the middle block and execute left chudan gyaku tsuki turning your hips powerfully.
Rokku: Left foot slides forward into Zenkutsu dachi, execute left gedan barai, be sure to bring your left forearm up to your ear (pure basic), cover the groin and with your hikite hand execute a powerful right chudan gyaku tsuki, powerful kia!
Note: Now this is very important. You will need to move backwards down the line as we call it, but not coming up but staying low and use the strength of your legs to maintain the next three moves back down the line. Be sure to remember that Zen stance is a forward leaning stance and needs to be maintained in the next three moves moving backwards.
Shich: Left foot slides back, into zenkutsu dachi, executing right jodan uke (one fist from forehead, 45 degree angle, fist lined up with your ear). Execute a left chudan gyaku tsuki.
Hachi: Right foot slides back into zenkutsu dachi, execute left soto uke, (outside inside block), execute left chudan gyaku tsuki
Ku: Left foot slides (Okuriashi) back into zenkutsu dachi, execute right seiken gedan barai, execute left chudan gyaku tsuki, powerful kia.
Ju: Now we come back to the ko stance with shuto uke, stay low, right foot slides back to left foot forward kokutsu dachi, left shuto uke.
Ichi: Left mae ashi geri (maintaining belt level) into zenkutsu dachi, execute a right chudan gyaku tsuki, powerful kia.
Ni: Right foot slides forward into Kumite no kamae, kumae no-tachi, spirit kia (IISHA!) Last move filled with energy, maintain Zanshin.
Yamae: Sensei says "Yoi" (come back to ready). Do we relax? No! You move your front foot back to parallel stance to the Yoi Dachi/Heiko Dachi as explained in the above "Yoi" ready movement, nothing changes, smooth, controlled, and maintain "Zanshin". You say "What is Zanshin?" When you come back to ready, plain English, keep the motor running, knees bent, 50/50 gaze set, and maintaining Zanshin.
Example: Kyudo (archery) the final position of the archer, after the release of the arrow. The archer should remain in the final position of having released the arrow at least until it has reached the target, without moving and without watching its flight.
Written By: Shihan John Lehner