Heian Shodan Bunkai

Heian Shodan Bunkai
From http://springfieldkarateandfitness.com
and http://johnrnelson.net
follow me on http://twitter.com/luv2flyjrn

This is Shito-ryu bunkai performed in slow motion as a demonstration. Despite multiple questions this is Heian Shodan, the different styles of karate often switch the order of shodan and nidan katas.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Heian
• Shodan
• Bunkai
• Springfield
• Karate
• and
• Fitness
• Shito
• Ryu
• Kai
• Nelson
• Jackson
• Dennis

[becs5120]

hahahahahahhaha....please

[senseijohnnelson]

You would have loved the discusions when my school went from okinawan arts to Shito-ryu. Not only was there long arguements over nidan and shodan, but also over passai/bassai, pinan/heian, and much much more.

[senseijohnnelson]

Only the brief and amazing conversation with Mabuni, most of the contact is with Iwata, Murayama ot Sato. Kanazawa was almost an accident due to a Shoto-Kan school being much easier to access than a Shito-ryu school for a friend living in Japan. I went to visit when he was awarded his Sho-dan and it happened to be a large event which Kanazawa was at. Needless to say I did not want to pass up a chance to talk to him, but had to do it as politely as possible. Still such concern over a name.

[Bassai]

Just curious, how did you get to talk to Kenwa Mabuni? He died in 1952. Or did you talk to his son, Kenei, who's 91 years old by now. How did you get to meet Hirokazu Kanazawa? That would be an interesting story.

[senseijohnnelson]

I have read their books and talked with them (though needed a translator). Until I am told otherwise from either an IOC judging seminar to judge the names as incorrect or by the WSKF, the label stays. I really don't think the label of the begining katas is near as important as what you can learn from them. I don't even think the base style is as important as long as it serves a purpose and leads to a quality education. We are all climbing the same mountain, there are just many paths to the top.

[bertthepickle]

I suppose one final comment I'd have is that if the bunkai you (or anyone) is practising involves defences against karate attacks - oi-zuki, mae-geri, etc - then I'd question why. Bunkai isn't about learning to defend yourself against another karate person but against a street brawler or knifeman or spear/bayonet wielder but not a karate expert.

Besides, train that when you do kumite right :)

[bertthepickle]

I can't recommend the Clayton book highly enough for its insight into the roots of linear karate and his hypothesis on it being 'bodyguard techniques' and THEN on how to apply that thinking to karate now and to make it relevant for men, women and kids - who, let's face it, should not be learning all the same techniques. Kids are never going to be able to punch out an adult attacking them - they need something else, like escape and evasion - which is on the katas.

[bertthepickle]

I'd recommend a few research points - a book by Bruce Clayton: Shotokan's Secret - fascinating history book which covers the split between Naha-Te and Shuri-Te so is relevant to you. Then anything by Iain Abernathy - an English Wado-Ryu sensei - his bunkai will open your eyes as it's a practical as it is fitting - no fudging to make moves fit into the kata sequence. Then last, but certainly not least, anything by Sensei Vince Morris - try kissaki kai on YouTube. The master of bunkai IMHO

[bertthepickle]

The one sequence you mentioned there, after you've broken his arm why is he even still attacking? It's very very unlikely right? Then to block an attack from the arm you've just 'broken'? Well, that says to me that this 'bunkai' is wrong. You're being taught poor concepts because (1) that's what your teacher learnt or (2) some high Dan made it up and he/she is wrong. He/she can't know what the move is unless they invented that kata as the real moves were lost about 100 years ago.

[bertthepickle]

Thank you for your replies. They were well considered.

I'm glad you do question things. We all should. Just because something is prescribed doesn't make it right. So it's great that you think "hmm, why do I do this?"

I don't know you syllabus so it's hard to comment fully on how these build up into something more 'meaningful' later on.

However, I will say this. If something looks stupid to you it probably is. With your experience, as a black belt, you can analyse moves comprehensively.