Uechi Ryu - Seisan & Sanseiryu Kata and Bunkai - Henry Thom

[naumutroi]

a lot of karate styles and kata are "borrowed" from Gung Fu, specifically Fukien provence in sothern China. In addition to Paiganoon gung fu, Fukien White Crane seems to be very popular in Japanese and Okinawan karate. Uechi-Ryu seems to be one of the closest to being like Southern Chinese Gung Fu it is good that both traditional bunkai and experimentation is encouraged. Best way to preserve the tradition and move the art forward. A chinese saying goes, "running water never goes stale."

[naumutroi]

Seisan, meaning "13". Usually interpreted as "Thirteen modes of attack and defense" or "13 positions to attack/defend from".) An alternate meaning is simply "13th Room Kata", being the form synthesised in the 13th Chamber of Shaolin boxing, using individual techniques taught in the previous training rooms.

[franklin3321]

Outstanding

Much respect from a Goju student

Franklin

Franklin3321@aol.com

[deek77]

Love the simultaneous capture-and-counter @ 2:30. That principle against a stick/bat attack can also be seen in Krav Maga as well. What's funny is, karate haters think that it's only practiced in Krav Maga, basing that on the block & counter principle mostly seen in Japanese karate. And I'm saying this as a practitioner of Japanese karate. They don't realize that karate in general has a myriad of weapons and strategies at its arsenal. Much obliged, Sensei, OSU!

[shaihainoon]

very good :) thank you very much

[OkinawaT]

Yo aqui veo kung-fu mas que karate. Concretamente kung fu del sur

[HenryUechi]

Thank you for your comment.

I have also studied southern Chinese kungfu (Hung Gar) for several years when I was young. As you probably know, Uechiryu was originated from southern Kungfu.

[OkinawaT]

Oh..yes. I'm from Spain and I studied Hung Gar too, and Kenpo Karate.  Yes, I know Uechi ryu was originated from Paiganoon kung fu

[elson1araujo]

Gosto muito da aplicação que Srº faz , são muito eficaz e bonita de ver, sou praticante do Uechi-Ryu e adoro nosso estilo de Karatê!  Um abraço!

Brasil/Brasília

[HenryUechi]

Gracias. Mis mejores deseos para su práctica.

Thank you. Best wishes to your practice.

[elson1araujo]

I wonder if you post the video of the application of kata Seryu in the traditional way, and how do you do in your dojo, thank you for your attention!

Elson

Brasília/Brasil

[HenryUechi]

I have no immediate plan to post the Seiryu Bunkai (Is that the one you meant?). I also have no plan to post the traditional Sanseiryu Bunkai because there are several of them posted already.

My students practice both traditional and non-traditional ways. IUKF (International Uechiryu Karate Federation) requires the practice of the traditional Bunkais, and encourage the higher ranks to be creative and experiment with different interpretations but must be realistic. Thank you for the questions.

[chatanwarrior]

wow i love the bonkai, ive just started learning seisan in shohei-ryu and i notice we have a slightly different opening

gotta say i just love practical applications

[HenryUechi]

The Bunkais in my DVD are not the "standard" way being practiced in the typical dojos. There are numerous ways one can interpret kata movements. In my DVD I demonstrated one of the interprettations that can make the Bunkais more applicable in a realistic situation.

[rebelpersev]

Nice BunKai. I was taught that one of the movements in Sanseiryu was a double collar grab, choke with index knuckles and shake to cause whiplash.

[HenryUechi]

The key word is "realism".

One question to ask on the effectiveness of any bunkai movement is: Would it work if your opponent refuses to just stand there frozen while you are doing the numerous movements to him?

[princewilliamusa]

True root.

[yieldingbamboo]

awesome

[shaihainoon]

very good

[peacemaker281]

Just one question Sensi Thom why do you use the first finger bent out blocking? Is that for pressure points? Thank you.

[HenryUechi]

Very observant indeed.

The video is only a brief clip of the instructional DVD in which I mentioned that there are various interpretations to kata movements (I am sure you know that based on your comment and question). My finger position could be for grabbing, ripping, or pressure points as you mentioned. Or, hate to admit it, the appearance could be slightly intensified due to the fact that many of my fingers have been broken one time or another and some of them bend unintentionally.

[peacemaker281]

Excellent video in regards to kata and the applications for wich the moves are used. Thank you.

[APTEH]

Great video Sensei!

[bonzobei]

This is great! Thank you for putting it up. I enjoy this very much.

[whitecranecanada]

Nice to see traditional Karate. By the way,Your art really shows it's fukien origins. Thanks for sharing and congradulations on your success!