Narrative - an organized series of pre-arranged defensive and offensive movements symbolizing an imaginary fight between several opponents. Handed down by masters of a system of Karate. The Kata practiced in our Dojo begins with a bow to give respect to the authors of the Kata. The Kata is taught over a period of time and refined by the most experienced in the Dojo. Each step should start relaxed and end with explosive execution with attention to proper form. All forward and backward movement utilizes "circular" footwork to protect the groin area. Use Glossary to translate Japanese terms.
Protocol:
Kiotsuke - Stand at attention - hands open, fingers pointed downwards
Bow
Call out the name of the Kata
Yoi - Ready to start - feet together, left hand shut (knife hand) over right closed fist
Begin
Kata "Seido" Steps:
1. Geri-dachi (horse stance)
2. Gedan-uke (to left with left arm)
3. Chudan-zuki (right fist)
4. Jodan-zuki (advance forward - left fist)
5. Look (right) / Gedan-uke with right arm
6. Chudan-zuki with left fist
7. Jodan-zuki (advance forward -right fist)
8. Gedan-uke (to left) - now you are facing the same direction as you were in #1
9. Chudan-zuki (advance forward - right fist)
10. Chudan-zuki (advance forward - left fist)
11. Jodan-zuki (advance forward - right fist with Ki)
12. Chudan soto-uke: Middle outward block with left arm (backward)
13. Chudan unch-uke: Middle inner block with right arm (backward)
14. Jodan-uke (backward with left arm)
15. Gedan-uke (to left with left arm)
16. Gedan-zuki (right fist)
17. Jodan-zuki (advance forward - left fist)
18. Look (right) / Gaedan-uke with right arm
19. Gedan-zuki (left fist)
20. Jodan-zuki (right fist)
21. Return to Geri-dachi (to left) - now you are facing the same direction as you were in #1.
Pinan Shodan - 11/29/2014
Pinan Shodan - Steps by David Baldridge - 1-18-22
Kiotsuke - heels together, feet pointed out at 30-45 degrees. good posture, with butt and chest out, with shoulders back. Neck straight and chin slightly tucked in, with eyes set at about shoulder level. Hands come to active rest on each side.
Rei - bow keeping your upper body posture, chin tucked, bend at the waist, letting your butt move backward to counterbalance your upper body. Elbows can bend to keep hands at the same place. Don't rush the ojigi, hold it for a few seconds then return to standing posture.
Pinan Shodan, Yoi - hands in fists cross in front then pull to the sides, maybe 4 or 5-sun from hips. Keep good posture
For Counts 1-3 - keep your body squared forward. This is basic sideways movement while maintaining forward-facing posture. More of this comes later, in Naihanchi.
First look to the left, then step right foot into natural stance (feet and shoulders squared forward) then double block. Right arm up block (one fist distance from forehead to blocking wrist, knuckles in line with left side of head. Left arm soto uke, natural distance with wrist at about shoulder height.
Bring down up block almost like a downward uchi-uke, draw the left arm back to the right shoulder making the "X" and do a down block to the left.
Look right first, then repeat double block to the right
repeat count 2 with the right hand down block
Look back over your right shoulder, draw right hand up to left should as you twist upper body to face "right," turning on the balls of your feet so you are turned to face right, then do down block to your right, which is "behind" the initial position. Then do a snap kick in the same direction as the block (this is why we do the 1-2-3-4 leg raises after class!), and when you bring the foot down turn back left 90 degrees (remember you're still squared to the "right") to face "forward" then as your twist your left foot pulls back, and then do shuto uke.
Right foot step forward, right hand shuto uke
Left food step forward, left hand shuto uke
left arm drops down protecting solar plexus, fingertips around right elbow as you do nukite (spear hand) with right hand (don't overextend!). Kiai here.
Turn 270 degrees to the left, turning to the "right," with left hand shuto uke
Turn 45 degrees (斜め) to the right, right hand shuto uke.
Turn to the right to face "left", right hand shuto uke
Turn 45 degrees to the left, left hand shuto uke
Turn 45 degrees to the left, now facing "back." Make the "X" and do a left hand soto uke
Right hand punch
Right snap kick, just like in kihon, then stepping forward with the right foot.
Left hand punch
Left snap kick, stepping forward
Right hand punch
Right snap kick, stepping forward, then do a right down block
Turn 270 degrees to the left, now facing "left," with a left hand down block
45 degrees to the right, up block with right hand
turn 135 degrees right, now facing "right," right hand down block
45 degrees to the left, up block with left hand
step back to yoi position, facing forward"
Kiotsuke - hands back to sides
Rei - bow as before. Wait a few seconds before relaxing or Taisho (退所) and stepping back/turning with the right foot to leave.
Visiting Karatekas - Katas Pinan Shodan and Pinan Nidan
We had the pleasure of practicing Karatekas from the State of Hawaii in July of 2015. The Henson family performed Katas.
Pinan Shodan - July 2015
Pinan Nidan - July 2015
Pinon Shodan - Group 12-23-2017
Tenryu No Kon - Bo Kata - 3-31-21
Tsuken Bo - (Chikin Bo) - from Okinawa - 8-24-2024 - David Baldridge