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Seienchin Kata - the Book (Edition 2)
A detailed 154 page book on the history, anatomy & physiology around the karate kata & bunkai applications of Seienchin:
ISBN 978-1-4092-3733-4
kata pattern (style comparisons)
bunkai for all moves (and variants)
chinese moves and origins
kanji, history, philosophy
This text is not concerned with minor style differences (comments are of course given with regard to different styles & approaches) as one must remember that as little as 100 years ago the modern karate styles did not exist. Therefore, the focus of this text is on a core embusen (pattern) of the kata Seienchin and its applications - which are style universal & is applicable to Goju, Shito-ryu, Kyokushin & Okinawan styles that work this classic karate kata.
There as an architectural maxim that says form follows function. Many in the modern karate world interpreting kata take the form and try to fit function around the stylized motion i.e. they are having function follow form.
Originally the kata were formed as icons to archive self defense scenarios and therefore were created on the basis of form following function.
A further irony surrounding Kata is that many people in the martial arts, and Western fighting systems, point to Karate Kata and say that it has nothing to do with real world fighting - when it is in fact Japanese Karate's real tie to full contact street encounters.
A complete study of any kata should involve its history, philosophy, sports & medical physiology & application.
2 Ways to access:
1. Click here to purchase "Seienchin - the Book" as a PDF download $19...
or
2. Click here to purchase "Seienchin - the Book" as a paperback for just $28
(free shipping anywhere)...
Customer comments on the book:
"Re this book: I must congratulate you on the most clear & comprehensive explanation of the necessity of kata & bunkai in the study of the martial arts that I have ever seen. I will recommend this to all my friends..."
Sensei Fields, 7th Dan. USA Karate Alliance
"I just bought this work from your website, let me tell you it is a piece of art, I have read it lots of times....On the internet, one can find tons of stuff related to martial arts, but the quality of your work can not be compared. I do admire your professionalism.... "
Sensei Saludos, Costa Rica
Sample page screenshots
Page 36 sample
Page 58 sample
Page 69
Book Contents:
1. Acknowledgements................................................................3
2. Preface....................................................................................4
3. Bunkai vs. point fighting vs. full contact fighting.............5
3.1. History of bunkai evolution and kata
3.2. Jack of all trades and master f none
3.3. WKF &Shotokan point style systems and their impact on
bunkai
3.4. Combative scenario flow charts for Karate drills
3.5. Sports physiology & modern competitive point fighting
examples and how they may relate to bunkai
3.6. Moving beyond just bock counter
3.7. How does an organization maintain such a broad
knowledge base with true insight into each subcategory
of fighting?
4. Seienchin and the philosophy of the kata.............25
4.1. Yin and Yang in Seienchin performance
4.2. Mushin
4.3. Seienchin performance, Mushin and Joriki
4.4. Kiai and gKangen no Kiai
- Philosophy
- Physiology
5. Seienchin History & Lineage...............................39
6. Stances (Dachi) and Dimensions.........................41
7. Seienchin Kata Pattern and motions Motions........43
7.1. Seienchin Embusen
7.2. The Kata sequence step-by-step
8. Bunkai...............................................................65
8.1. Introductory comments re bunkai form & iconic kata moves
8.2. Bunkai options & variants for each section of the kata
- Applications step-by-step
- Bubishi and Chinese moves
- Physiology & Anatomy of most bunkai in detail
- Blood choke versus air choke
- Plyometrics
- Physiology & Anatomy of striking the solar plexus
10. Martial arts philosophy commentary re kata and life
outside the dojo by Sensei Greg Story from Japan.
11. Bibliography.......................................................142
12. About the author & supporting editors.....................143
About the authors:
Shihan Jason Armstrong, Ph.D. and 7th Dan, has lived in Japan with a Karate master, and has also competed at national and international kumite & at events, in Australian & Pacific championships, US championships, and in Japan. While living in the USA and Japan he made extensive efforts to cross-train with senior Goju, Shotokan and Okinawan sensei.
Jason has a doctorate in studies of the medical effects of spaceflight (from Kansas State University and the NASA Center for the Commercial Development of Space) and a Master degree in Endocrinology (University ofQueensland).
He has been using the kata Seienchin at competitve levels for over 20 years and continues to today.
The supprting editors include:
Bartholomay Kyoshi 8th Dan, Shito-ryu
Young Sensei, 8th Dan Shotokan
Edwards Sensei, 5th dan Shito-ryu
Ed Mundy, 4th Dan Shotokan
A. Wetherspoon, 2nd Dan Shito-ryu
G. Scovell, (over 30 years Kyokushin & Shito-ryu) 5th Dan Shito-ryu
Post note by author: Jason Armstrong
Given an ask by a few people I thought I would add that “Seienchin the book”, published by The Traditional Japanese Karate Network, is a multi-style look at the kata & provides a multi-variant bunkai reference. Therefore, the book does not call out which of the bunkai variants listed are those that I use as my default set for our shito-ryu. The bleow page numbers reference which of the listed bunkai I apply as my favourites based on our evidence based street fighting statistics where the data overlaps the libarry of traditional Okinawan applications.
Pg 69-71
Pg 109-115
Pg 128-129
Pg 130-132
Pg 134-136 (with the consideration that the motion is ideally done prior to completion of the “bear hug”
Pg 138
Pg 140-144
Image taken from Page 81
2 Ways to access:
1. Click here to purchase "Seienchin - the Book" as a PDF download $19...
or
2. Click here to purchase "Seienchin - the Book" as a paperback for just $28
(free shipping anywhere)...
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