MCC - 133 Naginata Kata

"Gao Lung" - Naginata Kata

DISCLAIMER:
These clips are for entertainment and general informational purposes only. We are not instructing you, or encouraging you to do or to believe anything, except to view, enjoy, and think. Never forget that martial arts, like any rigorous course of physical activity, presents the risk of injury, sometimes serious, disabling, or even fatal. Actual techniques should only be practiced in a controlled environment emphasizing safety, under the direct supervision of a Black Belt instructor (in whom you have trust and confidence), and only after you have been cleared by your personal physician.

"Gao Lung" was originally a form I designed for one of my lady students. The name Gao Lung (which means tall dragon) was a play on the student's first name, Gauhar.

For some reason, this form draws a wide diversity of opinions and comments ... some favorable, some not. We are not trying to emulate the movements of a medieval Japanese foot soldier using the weapon against a mounted attacker ... while we recognize its value in that capacity. We refer to Gao Lung as a "Naginata" kata because that is generally how the weapon is recognized in the English language. Weapons of nearly identical form (but different names) can be found in virtually all Asian cultures (and even in European cultures for that matter) with applications and utilizations reflecting regional and cultural influences.

In modern Japan, the weapon evolved to a weapon of preference for Lady Samurai, who stood as the last bastion of defense over their lord's household. Though many of the long range characteristics of the Bo or staff are in evidence, in this utilization the Naginata manifests as a mid range defensive weapon. The counters focus on slashes and quick cuts to vital organs and vessels, while using the bare end for clearing and the back of the blade for blocks/controls ... look closely, there is more to the form than at first meets the eye.

Picture the woman warrior defending her home and children against the invading mauraders. She is having to maneuver within enclosed spaces, down halls, through pantries, into nurseries, all the while having to contend with multiple opponents likely brandishing swords. Having mastered the Naginata, and fully aware of its overwhelming dominance in the midrange, the lady warrior can position herself strategically within any surround, and instantly defend against attacks from all angles. In short, one Lady Samurai, centered in a hallway, a transition room or even a courtyard, can effectively "seal" off the attackers.

Here, we present two versions of the form, with two angles of the first version. The alternate version forgoes the overhead spin midway through, which is typically difficult to master, and is not essential to the integrity of the kata. The alternate version, as you will see, replaces the move with a reverse cat turn to the rear, accompanied by a diagonal slash.

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Used with Permission. Copyright 2000-20010, Mc Cabe and Associates, Tacoma, WA. All rights reserved.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• gun fu
• animal fighting styles
• karate
• kata
• naginata

[alopex1197]

Really sad. Blade is not facing the cut direction and there is no focus in the cuts. He couln't hit a ballon nor hurt a fly with that technique. Why do people waste time on McDojo?

[BUZMstudios]

guys hes just demonstrating... chill...

[Scobragon]

That is a shortass spear you got there.

[pochazet]

made up kata.

[commandouma]

It looks okay, but you gotta slow down. Follow through with your cuts. If you were fighting someone, you'd only give them a few scratches.

[ihaterobbie123]

Stupid fluid forms don't exist in japanese martial arts...it's a fact so anybody who negs me is just in denial.

What this guy is doing is stupid made up forms with no real teaching behind them. None of the "cuts" (I couldn't determine all of them) were weak, easily beaten and obvious (due to the predictable nature of his movements).

[armagedescu]

Seems too difficult for him. I don't think this is an easy kata. But, is much better to do slowly but with more virtuosity.

[niseikenpo]

nice bo demo kata with a blade stuck on the end the efficiency of a real naginata was it's reach over the katana.The real naginata was 7 to 9 foot long and practiced mainly by women of samurai class familys to protect the house while the boss was away.Many roving bandits and ronin fell to the lady samurai beautiful weapon.

[AznInvazion3]

I like the comment on the practicing. Depends what your goal is though. If you're beginning to learn the motions, then practice sensibly to learn them. Afterwards though, which it sounds like he has mastered and already to taught to a student, then its time to practice to strengthen the resolve behind the motions. A half hearted attack will only fail and leave you in a desperate situation. Thats also why martial arts is amazingly athletic, because you can get anywhere going halfway in the sport.

[dungad24]

My general thought was that this looks like he modified a bo kata and has no relation to any sort of glaive type weapon- he makes no use of the length, does some one handed twirling, no effective cuts- I mean from a mechanics standpoint- there are none. And I disagree- you don't always go all the way when striking in practice. It's a good way to injure yourself, possibly others, and mask incorrect mechanics. You do have to practice it, but sensibly.