Shitoryu kata

SHITORYU KATA

Kenwa Mabuni Sensei unified the Naha-te and Shuri-te style, learnt from his main two masters, Kanryo Higaonna and Ankoh Itosu, harmonizing it with the teachings handed down by the Chinese Master, Go Kenki. Later he added his own kata, such as Juroku, Aoyagi, Myojo and Shinsei, thus giving Shitoryu its uniqueness and highest number of kata.

Kata is meant to train the body and mind at the same time, thus is not intended only for self-defense. Primarily, and before being a physical exercise, kata provides a path leading to spritual growth and understanding.

Bunkai is as important as the kata itself. They cannot be separated. Bunkai is the analysis and application of the movements and techniques performed in the kata. If kata is the aesthetic part, and bunkai shows it effectiveness.

To preserve this richness, it is essential to practice each kata in its original form. As the proverb says, « Keep it simple and plain, it will be effective and beautiful. » We find this teaching in the principle of Yo Ryu Bi.

Beyond the principle of Yo Ryu Bi, there are others equally important in the Shitoryu. Such are embusen, tenshin happo, zanshin, uke no go gensoku, which will be detailed in this section.