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Gojushiho Every Day

December 8, 2009 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Bunkai,Kata,Martial Arts,Okinawa Kenpo,karate

Neurologists and psychologists suggest that the human brain is designed to pick up on patterns. This tendency helps us make sense of the space around us, and the world in general. It’s also how we arrive at many superstitions and decisions. I buy what the psychologists are selling there. In fact, I like noticing when this phenomena is at work in my own life.

One great benefit of Okinawa Kenpo as a style is the diversity of kata that we have available. It allows me to see core karate concepts expressed in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, there simply is not enough time in the day to explore them all adequately. I’ve been thinking lately that it would be nice if I selected one to focus on, and really put my full self into it.

And thus, the pattern recognition gears began to turn…

Event #1 – Explanations

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of leading a few black belt students through the kata Gojushiho during a class. As we practiced the physical form of the kata, I also did my best to field questions regarding the specifics of technique and the causes behind them. I realized that although my answers were adequate, they were hardly exceptional. This concerned me.

Event #2 – Destinations

About 2-3 weeks ago I attended a training seminar by Kyoshi Bill Hayes. Amongst the myriad of things to learn there, I saw on one of his charts that he simply had written:

“Gojushiho – Chinesized”

I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. Unfortunately the matter left my mind shortly as I tried to stay in the moment and retain what Hayes Sensei was presently talking about. I also forgot to ask him about it before the end of the day. I didn’t kick myself for my negligence until later.

Event #3 – Questionations

On my facebook group for ikigaiway, I have a few videos posted of myself doing material. They are basically there just to reassure members that I’m not completely full of it (although I mostly am). One of the videos posted is Gojushiho kata (here):

A kind member commented on the video and asked me about the form’s history. I relayed to him this:

“I’d like to give you a short answer now, and then a longer answer in an article format. So, as of right now: This kata was given to me by Bruce Heilman of Okinawa Kenpo (9th dan). He was taught it by Seikichi Odo, the top student of Shigeru Nakamura and non-familial successor to Okinawa Kenpo. Our style has two different Gojushiho kata, ichi and ni. Ni (the one shown here), was given to Odo by Seike Toma, who in turn was given it by Chotoku Kyan (some say indirectly). If you trace both Gojushiho kata’s back far enough, you arrive at Bushi Matsumura of the Shuri-te.”

* * *

This series of events was enough to spur me into a complete commitment to the kata. Prior to this Gojushiho was already one of my ‘favorites’ and I had given it adequate attention. But I decided adequate was no longer adequate.

The Goal

My goal now is to pursue the kata as deeply as possible. I intend to explore history, movements, bunkai, tichiki, and overall significance. One way I’m going to do that is by performing the kata at least once a day. This constant repetition will keep it both in my conscious and subconscious mind, and help lead me to more significant discoveries. You probably won’t hear about this topic again for awhile, but don’t worry – I intend to bring it back in a much fuller format once I think it’s appropriate.

Do you have a Gojushiho kata in your system? If so feel free to include your personal thoughts on it here in the comments section.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 and is filed under Bunkai, Kata, Martial Arts, Okinawa Kenpo, karate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

xygoxen
  • I'm catching up on some old posts Matt :)

    Just for something different from everyone else's comments, thanks for sharing the kata video - snappy, controlled, powerful, looked really awesome :)
  • Yes. I don't practice it exactly that same way; every teacher has his own "flavor", but that is essentially the square form I am talking about.

    It's called "square" because the movements are clearly articulated with distinct beginning and end points and a clearly defined transition. It is also practiced slowly.

    The "round" form is the flowing form that most people would recognize as taijiquan and tends to be practiced as a "fast form."
  • MikeOliveri
    What is "tichiki"? I'm not familiar with that term. A quick Google told me it's "an old term that predates 'bunkai' and also refers to the hidden techniques in the kata." Is that correct?
  • Mike - Google is pretty accurate with that description. TiChiKi is an Okinawan term that roughly means 'what the hand is doing'. And by hand they are referring to the whole body in general.

    Bunkai is a process of discovering applications to specific movements. So a lot of times in a kata, we will say a bunkai for this-or-that technique is a 'punch coming in with the right hand, and we block with the left, strike with the right, and follow through with a sweep' or something to that effect.

    TiChiKi takes that process to a more core level and asks how is the body interacting with the body of the attacker. How are we effecting height, distance, angle, stance, and timing. Are we rising into a technique and what does that mean? Is out body sinking and how can that effect the outcome when combined with the angle we approach the opponent.

    It's not a replacement for bunkai, simply another step to help us arrive at the core concepts of the kata. Ultimately, it also helps us use these techniques instinctively as TiChiKi can be utilized for any attack, it needn't be anything specific since its the principles that will kick in.

    Hope that helps!
  • MikeOliveri
    That does help, thanks! We do break down kata like that from time to time with the higher-level students, but I wasn't aware there was a name for it. I'll have to share this with my sensei and my school director, see if they're familiar.
  • janmennekens
    Matthew,

    you might want to look at this

    http://www.amazon.com/Five-Years-Kata-Bill-Burg...

    I have studied the book, and it explains the journey you describe by Bill Burgar, using exactly the same kata.

    Of course, reading it on beforehand might poison your view.

    Good luck with your endeavor,

    Jan
  • Imagine that! You just blew my mind a little bit Jan. You bring up a good point about potentially being influenced by his methodology, but seeing as how I've already established my own mindset and goals I don't think it would be a dramatic impact.

    He has a shotokan background, so there would certainly be some differences there as I've already explored the shotokan version a bit and it has some distinct differences. Nevertheless, I'm sure he digs down into some core concepts that would be interesting to read about.
  • billburgar
    Matthew,

    Good luck with your endeavour - I'd be keen to keep up with how you get on with this. My book is more style agnostic than you might think. Certainly the first 70 pages should make interesting reading for you and may adjust your thinking or maybe not - if you want to discuss just get in touch with me.

    Regards

    Bill Burgar.
  • Bill,

    Thank you very much for stopping by the blog! You can imagine my surprise when I first learned about your work. It's great to here that the book is rather style agnostic, although I probably should have assumed that even at the start given the depth of your study.

    Since you've been kind enough to reach out I will definitely secure a copy of your book and try to learn from your experience.

    I'll be in touch via email to discuss!

    My best,
    Matt
  • n10sRed
    In Shotokan, there's also a Gojushiho kata. Here's an excellent example of Gojushiho Sho performed by Team France at the WKF World Championship 2006
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0VGMjX-QfY
  • Wow really impressive synchronization. From a sporting perspective those women deserve kudos.
  • In the Wu style of taijiquan, it's the "square form." According to the head of the Wu family, Eddie Wu, if one studies the square form deeply enough and practice push hands with enough skilled partners, you can learn all the art of taijiquan has to teach.
  • Rick is this the square form you are referring to? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRtp99gPM0w
  • That's interesting Rick. I might have to get you to tell me more about that.
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