Kata

Kata is the heart and soul of karate-do. Without the practice of kata – it is not karate. Kata was created to preserve favorite techniques of past masters & grandmasters. Because video cameras had not been invented, Okinawa’s masters developed a method to preserve techniques for future generations. However, many techniques were guarded secrets only taught to a loyal few. Even to this day, many techniques remain hidden for us to discover. In Seiyo Shorin-Ryu, Soke Hausel developed applications for all of the techniques in kata & teaches his students how to unlock their potential through these bunkai.

Following the invasion of Okinawa by the Satsuma Samurai from Japan, karate (tode) became a secret art taught only to a few Okinawa peasants. The samurai restricted practice of any kind of martial art on Okinawa. As a result, karate & kobudo were disguised in a series of ‘shadow boxing’ techniques, or forms, and were designed to look similar to traditional dances. Many traditional dances incorporated karate techniques to further disguise the art from the watchful eyes of the samurai. The kata incorporate kicks, strikes, blocks, hip rotation exercises, throws, pressure point strikes, traditions, meditation & ethics. Kata were so deeply guarded that they became the most valued treasure of many Okinawa masters.

One unique characteristic of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu is that equal emphasis is placed on the kata as well as the self-defense applications (bunkai) of the kata.

We practice the following kata

KARATE
Basic Kihon Kata

Taikyoku Shodan
Taikyoku Nidan
Taikyoku Sandan

Taikyoku Yodan

Pinan (Heian) Shodan
Pinan (Heian) Nidan
Pinan (Heian) Sandan
Pinan (Heian) Yodan
Pinan (Heian) Godan

Naihanchi (Tekki) Shodan

Advanced Kata

Naihanchi (Tekki) Nidan
Naihanchi Tekki)) Sandan
Sochin
Okan (Wankan) Dai
Okan (Wankan) Sho
Passai (Bassai) Dai
Passai Sho
Kusanku (Kanku) Dai
Kusanku (Kanku) Sho
Unsu
Chinte
Jion
Jutte
Giin
Anaku
Chinto (Gankaku)
Wansu (Empi)
Nijushiho
Gojushiho Dai
Gojushiho Sho
Meikyo
Rohai
Seisan (Hangetsu)
Hakutsuru Sho
Hakutsuru Dai

KOBUDO
Bo

Bo Kihon
Sho no Kun
Sho Ken no Kun
Suuji No Kun
Choun no Kun Dai
Choun no Kun Sho
Bojutsu Shodan
Bojutsu Nidan
Bojutsu Sandan

Nunchaku

Nunchaku Shodan
Nunchaku Nidan
Nunchaku Sandan
Nunchaku Yodan

Nunchaku Godan

Nunchaku Rokudan

Sai

Sai Shodan
Sai Nidan
Sai Sandan
Sai Yodan
Sai Godan
Sai Rokudan
Sai Nanadan

Tonfa

Tonfa Shodan
Tonfa Nidan
Tonfa Sandan

Kama

Gama Shodan
Gama Nidan
Gama Sandan

Naginata

Naginata Sho
Naginata Dai
Naginata-Katana

Kuwa

Kuwa Dai

Yari

Yari

Yari-Katana

Ra-ki

Kumade

Kenjutsu

Several kata

Other Weapons

Seiyo no Shorin-Ryu also practices self defense applications with many other weapons. These include marikigusari (chain or rope), tsune (cane), hanbo (3' staff), katana (sword), tanbo (sticks), kioga (baton), nitanbo and others.

Samurai

Members may also study Samurai arts. These arts include Naginatajutsu, Yarijutsu, Bojutsu, Hanbojutsu, Sunejutsu, Manrikigusarijutsu, Iado, Jujutsu and others.

Modern Kobudo

Ever walk through the Sears tool & garden shop? We are developing many of these common tools into kobudo weapons.