This is really amazing. I'm a Wado student and saw the hugely talented Arakawa Sensei perform a version of Annan (search those terms on here if you're interested in seeing) and that led me to research this fascinating kata. Didn't know it was an original Okinawan kata. So much to learn in karate! Live in Nagoya now but will make a pilgrimage down to Okinawa one day to learn more about the origins of this amazing art. Thanks for posting :)
His appearance on the tournament circut, and performances like this, helped pave the way for how kata became perceived and evaluated. He's an important icon for our tradition.
I'm pretty sure none on these idiot critics have ever been or ever came close to being a WORLD CHAMPION, but Sakumoto is a friggin world champion. Just thought I would throw that in there while you guys bash his world champion kata lmao. Evrybody thinks they're an expert....
I guess some of you idiots have attacked the majority of those who have perfected their kata so you would know right.You notice I said attacked not fight .Attack is for real mere fighting is screwing around trying to look like a bad dude.LUCA VALDESI'S bunkai is utter nonsense.You will have to do some research to discover the real bunkai in all it's brutal glory.
Its easy for folks who have no clue about who this gentleman is...which says alot of what they do know IRT the martial arts...not much at all...Sakumoto is a real karateka...not some american strip mall karate type nor some MMA wannabe...
It is true to say that much of the Bunkai has been lost or changed over the years. It also seems that the emphasis on sport has take president. The original Arts were brutal and did not resemble the modern versions. Many of the moves have be badly translated, leaving as we see, pretty Kata's with little content.
When it all boils down your right, Karate has been damaged over the years. What we have today is just a showy demonstration of moves and maneuvers, very pretty but generally infective. But this can be said of many modern takes on Ancient fighting Systems.
its amazing how far karate has come. His kata is better than mine ever will be (respect) but when you look at any of the wkf people doing Annan today, they make him look so poor. Its not a put down on him, just noting how karate has continued to develop.
Multiple world and Japan champion. He was and is better than 99.9% of anyone in Karate. Most of the WKF kata people try to do Annan, but none have the speed and power and focus of Sakumoto. All they do now is try to slow the kata down into a performance with posing and static stances throughout.
WKF Kata is kata for show, not real kata. It has been sanitized and lost its combative aspects. Sakumoto however is old school and would school the WKF guys. Even JKA guys say that Luca Valdesi's form is not good and just for show if you need more emphasis on the state of WKF karate.
WKF kata has become over-exagerated & perhaps lost its combative element. That said, some principles of combat are 1) speed, & they have it over sakumoto by a long way. 2) Relax-tense, sakumoto holds onto tension through fast combo techniques which takes away strength. 3) Deep rooted stances. Sakumoto's stances at times are too high - taking away power. You can be a critic of WKF, but you have to respect the hours they spend training must lead to excellence in some areas.
(1) Sakumoto has both, speed and power. he performs old school style. Goju ryu and Uechi ryu also perform kata that way. You just can't evaluate Okinawan kata with mainland Japan parameters. (2) Relax-tense is an Okinawan way to generate power. Uechi ryu and goju ryu also use the same principle. (3) Most Okinawan ryuha use high stances, maybe because kata is not for kumite, but for self defense. Karate is not as sport karate.
Im not saying he is lacking. My point: its undeniable that he's much slower than the modern guys (and speed is a pivotal factor in effectiveness).
And low stances (mind you, not too low as some do lean towards) are incredibly important for self-defence. Considering most people in the street will try and grapple a person who shows they are trained with their hands, throwing punches in high stances enhances the possibility of an attacker grabbing onto you and taking you to the ground.
He is not slower, that is the way Okinawan karateka perform kata. Kata is not shadow boxing and kata speed and movements are different than real fight.
Okinawan karate is a street fighting system. Fighting position is usually high, but it is very flexible. You go to a lower stance in order to apply techniques.
Also Okinawan fighting philosophy tries to keep the initiative and to be time effective: strike, take down, finish. So no time to grapple.
I am not saying that. What I am saying is that Okinawan do not perform all kata fast. Some parts are slow, some are fast. You need to learn how to recognize the different parts. But I don't think youtube is the best way to explain the subtleties of Okinawan kata.
I do understand this. that was my train of thought originally. My point was when he was executing fast moves, they were no where near as fast as the modern top guys, who move like lightning. But agreed on your final comment.
"its amazing how far karate has come." Which one, tournament kata or non-tournament kata (real karate)?
One could see that the WKF kata is "watered down" for entertainment purpose. Over-exaggerating a kata is not real karate, it's sport-oriented. Sakumoto stood out because he is well-schooled in Ryuei-ryu karate.
hear hear, the synthesizing and in some opinions the sanitizing of kata is taking away the original intent, but then again that began with the Japanese karate vs Okinawan karate and has reached a pinnacle today. Look at people like Higaona, he performs his kata in a way that would never win in WKF (center rising and falling etc.) but he knows what he knows real karate - no one could deny that.
A lot of WKF kata competitors are fully aware of the difference between "show" kata and Sakumoto's more combative style. Most have a good understanding of the application of the kata in a fighting situation. Those who dont are noticible by the lack of feeling and passion in the kata(see miriam Cogolludo de las Heras, european champion and most spanish kata for evidence of this).
this guy is good, he reminded of my sensei teruo chinen.
rocky31peb 1 year ago
watch?v=P9YtVQCu-Ww
watch?v=I5eZ8MFXEoc
ToniMaples 2 years ago
This is really amazing. I'm a Wado student and saw the hugely talented Arakawa Sensei perform a version of Annan (search those terms on here if you're interested in seeing) and that led me to research this fascinating kata. Didn't know it was an original Okinawan kata. So much to learn in karate! Live in Nagoya now but will make a pilgrimage down to Okinawa one day to learn more about the origins of this amazing art. Thanks for posting :)
fisilk 2 years ago 2
A true inspiration to all martial arts practitioners. Great technique and amazing speed at appropiate points of kata.
shotokanbushi 2 years ago
His appearance on the tournament circut, and performances like this, helped pave the way for how kata became perceived and evaluated. He's an important icon for our tradition.
NYCBeatnik 3 years ago
Amazing to watch this master do kata.
svaran 3 years ago
Jamais égalé (en compet), toujours plus vite, toujours plus précipité, cette version reste une référence.
tapilolo 4 years ago
Fantastic. This is how kata should be done. No 5 seconds resting between tehniqes. Great rhythm and contractions. Mae geri is just incredible.
Real traditional kata performance.
Respect
VMfudokan 4 years ago
Sakumoto was a real karateka!!!
InterCityNew 4 years ago
I mean : He IS!!!
InterCityNew 4 years ago
I'm pretty sure none on these idiot critics have ever been or ever came close to being a WORLD CHAMPION, but Sakumoto is a friggin world champion. Just thought I would throw that in there while you guys bash his world champion kata lmao. Evrybody thinks they're an expert....
mikeyjames76 4 years ago
just speed ! me for bad
esrabahadir89 4 years ago
I guess some of you idiots have attacked the majority of those who have perfected their kata so you would know right.You notice I said attacked not fight .Attack is for real mere fighting is screwing around trying to look like a bad dude.LUCA VALDESI'S bunkai is utter nonsense.You will have to do some research to discover the real bunkai in all it's brutal glory.
niseikenpo 4 years ago
Its easy for folks who have no clue about who this gentleman is...which says alot of what they do know IRT the martial arts...not much at all...Sakumoto is a real karateka...not some american strip mall karate type nor some MMA wannabe...
isechico 4 years ago
It is true to say that much of the Bunkai has been lost or changed over the years. It also seems that the emphasis on sport has take president. The original Arts were brutal and did not resemble the modern versions. Many of the moves have be badly translated, leaving as we see, pretty Kata's with little content.
Weston1968 4 years ago
Looks pretty, but like most people who 'perfect' their kata, the majority can't fight their way out of a paper bag!!
PaulGappyNorris 4 years ago
When it all boils down your right, Karate has been damaged over the years. What we have today is just a showy demonstration of moves and maneuvers, very pretty but generally infective. But this can be said of many modern takes on Ancient fighting Systems.
Weston1968 4 years ago
love the mae-geri!
louismiller 4 years ago
Yeah this oldschool dude is really goodlook'n in his chopsuey crap, I guess!
DaafDcentkid 4 years ago
Osss!! sakumoto, increible kata annan, un saludo de un karateka os!
BeniLee 5 years ago
its amazing how far karate has come. His kata is better than mine ever will be (respect) but when you look at any of the wkf people doing Annan today, they make him look so poor. Its not a put down on him, just noting how karate has continued to develop.
toanthony 5 years ago
Multiple world and Japan champion. He was and is better than 99.9% of anyone in Karate. Most of the WKF kata people try to do Annan, but none have the speed and power and focus of Sakumoto. All they do now is try to slow the kata down into a performance with posing and static stances throughout.
sanseiryu 5 years ago
WKF Kata is kata for show, not real kata. It has been sanitized and lost its combative aspects. Sakumoto however is old school and would school the WKF guys. Even JKA guys say that Luca Valdesi's form is not good and just for show if you need more emphasis on the state of WKF karate.
Bujin80 5 years ago
WKF kata has become over-exagerated & perhaps lost its combative element. That said, some principles of combat are 1) speed, & they have it over sakumoto by a long way. 2) Relax-tense, sakumoto holds onto tension through fast combo techniques which takes away strength. 3) Deep rooted stances. Sakumoto's stances at times are too high - taking away power. You can be a critic of WKF, but you have to respect the hours they spend training must lead to excellence in some areas.
toanthony 4 years ago
(1) Sakumoto has both, speed and power. he performs old school style. Goju ryu and Uechi ryu also perform kata that way. You just can't evaluate Okinawan kata with mainland Japan parameters. (2) Relax-tense is an Okinawan way to generate power. Uechi ryu and goju ryu also use the same principle. (3) Most Okinawan ryuha use high stances, maybe because kata is not for kumite, but for self defense. Karate is not as sport karate.
malasangre 4 years ago
Im not saying he is lacking. My point: its undeniable that he's much slower than the modern guys (and speed is a pivotal factor in effectiveness).
And low stances (mind you, not too low as some do lean towards) are incredibly important for self-defence. Considering most people in the street will try and grapple a person who shows they are trained with their hands, throwing punches in high stances enhances the possibility of an attacker grabbing onto you and taking you to the ground.
toanthony 4 years ago
He is not slower, that is the way Okinawan karateka perform kata. Kata is not shadow boxing and kata speed and movements are different than real fight.
Okinawan karate is a street fighting system. Fighting position is usually high, but it is very flexible. You go to a lower stance in order to apply techniques.
Also Okinawan fighting philosophy tries to keep the initiative and to be time effective: strike, take down, finish. So no time to grapple.
malasangre 4 years ago 2
OK thanks. Interesting that they don't try to move as quick as they can when performing even the fast moves.
toanthony 4 years ago
I am not saying that. What I am saying is that Okinawan do not perform all kata fast. Some parts are slow, some are fast. You need to learn how to recognize the different parts. But I don't think youtube is the best way to explain the subtleties of Okinawan kata.
malasangre 4 years ago
I do understand this. that was my train of thought originally. My point was when he was executing fast moves, they were no where near as fast as the modern top guys, who move like lightning. But agreed on your final comment.
toanthony 4 years ago
Ive yet to see any guys doing competitive kata match his hand speed and kicking speed.
svaran 3 years ago
Very good point about low stances and self-defense, never heard it put that way before.
thankful2one 3 years ago
what are you talking about? look for his newest performance on youtube (just search Sakumoto Tsuguo) youll see his speed definitely increased
whyldephaier 3 years ago
"its amazing how far karate has come." Which one, tournament kata or non-tournament kata (real karate)?
One could see that the WKF kata is "watered down" for entertainment purpose. Over-exaggerating a kata is not real karate, it's sport-oriented. Sakumoto stood out because he is well-schooled in Ryuei-ryu karate.
Bushido12110 4 years ago
hear hear, the synthesizing and in some opinions the sanitizing of kata is taking away the original intent, but then again that began with the Japanese karate vs Okinawan karate and has reached a pinnacle today. Look at people like Higaona, he performs his kata in a way that would never win in WKF (center rising and falling etc.) but he knows what he knows real karate - no one could deny that.
Bujin80 4 years ago
A lot of WKF kata competitors are fully aware of the difference between "show" kata and Sakumoto's more combative style. Most have a good understanding of the application of the kata in a fighting situation. Those who dont are noticible by the lack of feeling and passion in the kata(see miriam Cogolludo de las Heras, european champion and most spanish kata for evidence of this).
louismiller 4 years ago
Fantastic kata!
chochol 5 years ago
Sakumoto's speed, precision and power is amazing, thanks for posting the video
svaran 5 years ago