Category Archives: karate

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Soke Nagamine Memorial Class

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The first hour of class was dedicated to stretching, ido kihon, and kiso tanren. One technique I want to work on ouside the dojo in particular, is the front kick with the back leg from kenkutsu-dachi. Numerous punches and kicks were done from each side and in rapid succession. Sensai said that this is how classes in Okinawa are structured.  This was quite tiring, and an excellent workout.

Broke into small groups to perform kata. When evaluating others’ kata, Sensai talked about the importance of first offering praise and positive feedback, and not criticism and correction. This really stuck with me, and thinking about it has made me realize I need to do a better job of remembering this and applying it in all parts of my life.

Regarding the turn after the kosa-dachi in Pinan Yondan, Sensai pointed out that you should step across with your right foot to turn into the nekoashi-dachi.

Unfortunately, I had to leave prior to Sai practice and photos.

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Ides of April

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Sensai reminded again to work on including a twisting motion in our blocks and punches to add power and snap to  techniques in the kata. Particularly in gedan-uke and jodan-uke of Fukyugata Ⅰ. The gedan-uke should also include a twisting at the hips, since the block should start from the opposite shoulder and come across the body.

I’ve noticed that I need to work on getting more consistent about turning my hips 45° in (especially the first) kosa-dachi in Pinan Shodan.

Sensai also made several comments regarding Naihanchi Shodan. The first was to think of the morote-barai-uke in terms of cutting. It should also be as deep (in terms of distance from beginning to end, as well as away from the body) as possible.
Secondly, the rounded block needs twist to generate power since it only moves a short distance. Finally, the entire kata should be performed on one level.

Began working on Ananku with Zack.  It’s shorter than I expected and most stances are zenkutsu-dachi.

Was asked to lead and count Kihon Kama Ⅰ. Good thing I’ve made it a point to practice kama a lot this year.
Strikes should be delivered from the shoulder or across the body.
After striking, the return to the chambered position should include a motion where the elbow pulls in toward the body – think about dislodging the blade from a body or staff.

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Applied basics

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In groups of three, we practiced the four main kicks.

Practiced one of Sensai’s dojo routines. The defensive side starts from kumite-dachi. When the attack comes, step back, bringing the left foot back to the right, while blocking Shukoken up with the left hand. Then stepping back, block down Shokoken again with the left hand. The next punch from the opponents right gets blocked down with the right hand and the following punch from the opponents left gets blocked again with the right hand using jodan-uke.
Next comes a front kick from the rear (right) foot followed by a right jodan-zuki and left chudan-zuki.

Worked on Fukyugata Ichi bunkai with Asa and Sempai Wands. Practiced Pinan Yondan and Godan, the second of which Sensai said was very good. Also worked on Naihanchi Sandan.

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Primary Saturday

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Worked on basics, especially:

zenkutsu-dachi turning 180 with downblocks and gyaku-zuki
kosa-dachi
hiji-ate jigotai-dachi

Worked on number one katas – Fukyugata, Pinan and Naihanchi. Pay attention to naihanchi-dachi. Should be like a side kick landing with the outside edge of the foot. Also the feet should be turned in slightly, not jigotai-dachi.

The creator of the Naihanchi katas is unknown, but it is believed that all three were originally one kata. At over 700 years old, they are the oldest kata in Matsubayashi Ryu.

Sensai reiterated using snap or twist, instead of more force or bigger motion, to add power to techniques. When executing punches or blocks, you should think in terms of driving the motion through the opponents attack.

While sparring with Sempai Wands, he suggested that I can improve my kaiten ushiro-geri by keeping my kicking foot closer to my plant foot, and kicking straight back.

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Two weapons, no joke

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Performed Pinan shodan and Naihanchi shodan katas, and also worked on some interpretations.

Pinan shodan

Two variations on the opening sequence, one based on the bunkai where the initial attack is chudan-zuki with the right hand and the other where the attacker uses the left.

Another interpretation of the opening block where the attacker uses jodan-zuki and the double block traps the punch.

Naihanchi Shodan

There is a lot in this kata, but we only worked on a couple of parts tonight.

A basic application of the opening sequence – shuto, hiji-ate and grabbing and pulling the opponents arm in.

Also worked on the later sequence starting with the double block. In this application we changed direction, stepping forward rather than to the side and applied the downblock as a strike to the opponent’s side. Sensai stressed thinking of this move in terms of cutting. Reminded me of another class earlier this year where we were applying techniques from the katas.

Kobudo

Performed Fukyugata Ichi and Kihon kama katas in class for one of the first times this year.  I recall missing most previous kama weeks, due either to other commitments or weather-related cancellations.

Worked on Sai dai-ni and Hanagushiku-no-sai. Sensai wants to teach the latter kata the way Soke used to teach it, which includes nekoashi-dachi rather than zenkutsu-dachi. He also said the version performed in the videos on the the NZ site is alright. I’ll use it for reference for practice outside class.

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Saturday 3/29

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Worked on basics, including:

jodan, chudan and gedan shuto-uke

Uraken sliding forward

Combination attacks with movement, esp.  slide, step

Kicks

Front, side and mawashi-geri.
While working on kaiten ushiro-geri, Sensai related a story showing  the power you can develop with the technique. He said the three most important factors in effective techniques are:

Centrifugal Force
Acceleration
Leverage

Performed each of the Fukyugata and Pinan katas.

In Pinan Yondan, the move after the second hiji-ate should be executed stepping forward with the left foot into kosa-dachi while blocking and striking simultaneously.

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Full House

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If last Saturday was one of the smallest classes I could recall being part of, then today’s kata class was one of the biggest. Usually we can get by with one line, but today it took two or even three.

Worked on all kata as a group through Pinan Sandan. The double block in Pinan Sandan should be deep, yet contained so as not to go beyond shoulder width. After that we broke out into groups by highest Pinan kata. With Zack and Noah leading my group went through Pinan Godan maybe 10 times – to the point I was sweating and fatigued.

We then went through the Naihanchi kata. In Naihanchi Nidan, the sequence after the supported chudan-uke is two elbow attacks – one to the rear and one to the front. I need to continue working on relaxing while performing all the Naihanchi kata.

Today was tonfa day, so we practiced basics, as well as Fukyugata Ichi. I need to practice the figure eight motion especially with my left hand. After I repair the loose grip on one tonfa, that is.

Finally, I worked on Pinan Shodan bunkai with Jessan and Noah. I need a lot of practice here, but after going through it several times, I think I have the basic pattern down. Also based on the bunkai, I see some ways I can improve my kata here as well.

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Class and Belt Test

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Saturday morning class was about the smallest I’ve seen in quite a while. Only 5 people (including myself) and Sensai.

After stretching, we skipped laps and other conditioning and instead worked Ido Kihon.

When performing nekoashi-dachi, the rear leg should push forward and the front foot should land heel first before returning to nekoashi-dachi again.

Sensai complimented my chudan soto shuto-uke.

Performed Fukyugata Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Pinan Shodan/Nidan.

Sensai also complimented my second Kentsui-uchi in Pinan Nidan.

Sensai talked again about including snap in double blocks where the second is really an attack. Mentioned Soke twisting his wrists when taking breaks between sessions. He also talked about focusing energy on each movement and the importance and connection of the kiai in that regard. My kiais need to be better. They should be less hesitant, more spontaneous and louder.

Belt test

While performing yakusoku kumite Sensai pointed out that I that I am not kiai’ing correctly or consistently. After that, however, I think I performed yakosoku kumite Ⅰ-Ⅳ credibly for my level.

During Nekoashi-dachi as part of Ido Kihon, I really felt it in my quads. Obviously, I have gotten out of shape over the winter. That should improve as I’m working oustide more in the coming months.

I did not know the student creed, however I do know O Sensai’s recommendations for study. Nonetheless, I need to learn the creed since it’s specific to the Mastin dojo.

Performed Fukyugata, Pinan (except godan) and all Naihanchi kata. Of the Naihanchi kata, shodan was the better of the three. Nidan and sandan were somewhat rushed, a bit out of balance ( I had to catch myself more than once.) and I also caught my gi with my hand a couple of times. Somehow, I continue to be nervous and self-conscious during tests despite practicing outside the dojo. I have improved a lot in the last 2.5 years though.

In the end, I not only passed, but passed another belt to San Kyu (Brown Ⅰ).

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March 19 Kata Class

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Kata class this week was led by Laura.

Practiced kata through Naihanchi Shodan. I need to pay attention to my footwork in Pinan Sandan. I could tell I was still moving my feet while blocking in step two. Also need to make sure the sase hiji-ate are in jigotai-dachi.
I still occasionally kiai at the wrong point in Pinan godan, but then again I still make mistakes in all the other kata.

Nunchaku

Worked on basics and Fukyugata Ichi Ⅱ and Ⅲ led by Zack. Despite not practicing the harder version in months much of it was surprisingly familiar.