The Karate Kata

Sanchin, means “three battles.” It is one of three kata brought from China by Uechi Kanbun (上地 完文 1877-1948), founder of Uechi Ryū. Uechi Kanbun traveled to China in 1897 in hopes to study Chinese kenpo. He was accepted as a student by Shū Shiwa (周 子和 1874-1926), who taught Pangainoon (半硬軟) at the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fukien Province, China.  It is said that Uechi Kanbun studied just this simple-seeming kata for three years. 

The basic stance of Sanchin is equally strong from all directions, like a rooted tree, while retaining the ability to quickly move in any direction. The strikes of Sanchin are all open-handed, using the hand to thrust like a spear. The highly-stylized “flat hand coming around” block of Uechi Ryū has been replaced by the more natural and effective kōsa uke of Kōburyū.

The Sanchin practitioner practices a focused, calm demeanor while receiving blows to the torso, legs and arms. The goal of sanchin training is not to cause damage, but to test the various muscles of the body for firmness. Therefore, sanchin testing begins with touching and pushing and only very gradually progresses to blows.

Over time the dedicated Sanchin practitioner will develop a piercing gaze and the physical strength and mental fortitude to withstand powerful strikes and kicks.  Uechi Kanbun said “all is in Sanchin.” For Kōburyū, like all styles related to Uechi Ryū, Sanchin is the foundation for everything that comes after.

Seisan means “thirteen.” Seisan is one of three kata (Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseiryu) brought from China by Uechi Kanbun. Seisan comes directly from Pangainoon, a Chinese style of kung fu based on the movements of the tiger, crane and dragon. 

Seisan requires speed and the ability to produce a sudden burst of power to spring back into the crane stance in the signature move of the kata.  This kata provides training for many practical skills.

Sanseiryū means “thirty six.” Sanseiryū is one of three kata introduced from China by Uechi Kanbun.  Because he has made changes to this classical kata, Sōke Kaichō Kinjō calls it Kōbu no Sanseiryū .  Over the years Sōke Kaichō Kinjō has demonstrated Sanseiryu and, in recent years, Kōbu no Sanseiryū at many public events.

Kōbu no Sanseiryū demonstrates the art of movement.  As the defender faces the challenges posed by enemies in every direction many stances are employed: shizen dachi, zenkutsu dachi, suegoshi dachi and neko ashi dachi.  The student of Koburyu who has diligently practiced taisabaki waza will be rewarded as he begins to tackle this advanced kata.

Kanshiwa (完子和) was created in 1954 by Uechi Kanei (上地 完英 1911-1991). It was named after the founder of Uechi Ryū, Uechi Kanbun (上地 完文1877-1948), and his teacher in China, Shushiwa (周子和 1874-1926). Shushiwa was once mistranslated as Shushabu.  In the early 1970s, Shushabu was corrected to Shushiwa.  Accordingly, the kata was renamed from Kanshabu to Kanshiwa, though some related styles still refer to it as Shushabu.

The first three punches of Kanshiwa were originally delivered shōken . Because this kata is for beginners, the shōken punches were later changed to seiken (meaning “regular fist,” using the first two knuckles at the base of the fingers), an easier and safer alternative for beginners. This is the only kata of the Uechi Ryū family of styles that includes seiken punches.

Even though Kanshiwa was intended for beginners, it has many lessons for the advanced student.  Indeed, Sōke Kaichō Kinjo in recent years has often demonstrated this kata.  If you master the three levels, shokyū, chūkyū and jōkyū, of kata performance for Kanshiwa then you will find the other kata of Kōburyū have a similar progression of skills from beginner to advanced.

Dainiseisan means “second seisan.”  Dainiseisan is intended to be preparation for Seisan. It contains many movements directly from Seisan. Dainiseisan was created by Sōke Kaichō Kinjo’s sensei, Itokazu Seiki (糸数 盛喜 1915-2006).  In the 1970s, it was renamed Kanshū by the Uechi Ryū organization, combining the names of Kanbun and Shū Shiwa.  Sōke Kaichō Kinjo prefers the original name, as it was given this name by its creator, Itokazu Seiki Sensei.  

Seichin means “ten battles.” It is generally considered to be the most difficult of the kyū-level kata.  It contains movements from Okinawa-te and Pangainoon. This kata was created by Uehara Saburo (上原 三郞 1890 – 1965).

In 1925, Uehara Saburo traveled to Wakayama City, Japan, where he worked in the same cotton mill as Uechi Kanbun. In 1926, he became the second student of Uechi Kanbun.  After World War II he returned to Okinawa and opened a dojo in Naha City. He created Seichin in 1963.

The student encounters cat stance ( neko ashi dachi 猫足立ち ) for the first time in this kata.  Indeed, the signature move of this kata is a down block as the defender sinks into a firmly rooted cat stance followed by an open hand “thumb fist” ( boshiken 拇指 拳) attack.

Seiryū (十六) means “sixteen.” It was created by Uechi Kanei (上地 完英 1911-1991).  It is quite different from other Uechi kata in that there are many open hand techniques.

The signature move of this kata is a shin block followed by kōsa uke (cross block) as the defender sinks into a firmly rooted cat stance and kicks. This movement was poorly understood until Sōke Kaichō Kinjō created a taisabaki waza that drills this technique and explains its purpose through bunkai.  

Kanchin means “Kanbun’s battles.” It was created by Kanei Uechi and the name refers to his father, Kanbun Uechi.

Kanchin (完戦) was created by Uechi Kanei (上地 完英 1911-1991).  It is characterized by speed and dynamic movement. It includes movements similar to the next and final kata, Sanseiryu.

Kanchin features three different combinations where the defender must drive into the attack: the elbow thrust (hiji zuki 肘突き), the scooping block (sukui uke 掬い 受け) followed by a throw, and the combination punch and block to the opponent’s leg (gedan tsuki uke 下段 払い受け).

The shokyū version of Kanchin was not modified by Sōke Kaichō Kinjō so that students can learn the old way and can experience for themselves the difference between Uechi-style movement and Kōburyū.

Kōbuken was created by Sōke Kaichō Kinjō Takashi, founder and chairman of Kōburyū. Kōbuken means “Kō’s Fighting Fist.” The kō of Kōbuken comes from Sōke Kaichō Kinjō’s given name, Takashi. Kō is an alternative pronunciation of the kanji for Takashi (孝). It is the kō of both Kōburyū and Kōbuken. It means “filial piety.” 

While the other kata of Kōburyū are also part of Uechi Ryū, Kōbuken only exists in Kōburyū. It embodies the unique movement style of Kōburyū featuring power, speed and explosive drive. Kōbuken is a kata for the beginning to intermediate student to begin mastery of true Kōburyū movement.