The kanji naming the kata translates to simply 24, with an optional component implying steps or techniques (waza in Japanese).

Like most karate kata, Niseishi's origins are likely traceable back to China (Sells, Unante; ISBN 0910704961). The most common of today's versions are derived from Aragaki (Arakaki) Seisho who lived in Okinawa from the mid-1800s, to the early 1900s .

The Shotokan "Nijushiho" version is a derivative of the Shito-ryu version, in a similar manner to the heaian kata having been passed to Funakoshi by Mabuni (however in this case Nakyama sensei played a key role in its transmission from Mabuni to Funakoshi sensei).

The kata is performed by Jason Armstrong, 7th dan with, with style variants & bunkai support through Renshi Jason Griffiths (5th Dan) to add Shotokan & Okinawan commentary to the Shito-ryu form/bunkai. Its heritage is covered and the video demonstrates the kata full power, walk through and bunkai (43min).

An evidenced-based analysis (driven by data) allows one to create at least the following 4 categories of violence which may be relevant to karate-ka.

1. Male-on-male violence

2. Law enforcement (buncer/police) - which has different psychological considerations and physical relaities

3. Female domestic violence

4. Female violence derived related to a stranger attack

The aim is not to get away from classical karate, but given data is now available, to find the overlap of techniques which are both classical and practical based on statistics. The concept is represented in the below overlap diagram and is reviewed in detail in the book “Street Fighting Statistics & Medical Outcomes linked to Karate & Bunkai Selection”. That review process most importantly not only states what is the top 7-8 likely street events that lead to a medically relevant injury, but also which techniques do not.

Photo (left): A photograph of Aragaki Seisho, regarded as the key source of this kata in Okinawa.