very nice.....it is always good to get the history too many people and styles fail to see the interest or importance of the history!

>From: "Ramsey, William J SSG-- III Corps CSES" <william.ramsey1@...>
>Reply-To: KOJF@yahoogroups.com
>To: KOJF@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [KOJF] Interesting Kata Information
>Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 09:37:21 -0500
>
>
>
>Saw this stuff and thought it was interesting. Thought that the Group might
>like to read it. It comes from the website of KARATE UNION OF AUSTRALIA.
>They have a pretty interesting Website and it seems as it is very tasteful.
>The URL is http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/index.html
><http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/index.html>
>
>
>
>"The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the
>perfection of the character of its participants." - Gichin Funakoshi
>
>Heian
>
>The old name for the Haian Kata was Pinan. These Kata were developed by
>Yatasune Itosu as intermediate Kata to the much longer main Kata of
>Shorin-Ryu. He did not make them up however, they were based on much older
>training forms called Channan, which had their origin in China.
>
>Master Funakoshi considered Pinan Shodan too difficult for an introductory
>Kata so he changed Pinan Nidan to Heian Shodan and Pinan Shodan to Heian
>Nidan.
>
>For beginners, a somewhat simplified version of Heian Shodan was introduced,
>which is called Taikyoku Shodan. This is most often used for 9th Kyu
>gradings as a "stepping-stone" to Heian Shodan.
>
>Tekki
>
>The Okinawan name for these was Naihanchi and they are directly taken from
>the long form called Hua-Chuan which is one, one of the main training forms
>of Tiger Style Northern Shaolin Wu-Shu. It was on Okinawa that the Kata was
>split into three separate sections that we now call Tekki Shodan, Nidan and
>Sandan.
>
>The name means "Iron Horse". The Kiba-dachi stance used exclusively in these
>Kata is the main training stance of Northern Shaolin Tiger Style of Wu-Shu.
>
>The Tekki Kata we know and practise today are as follows....
>
>Bassai
>
>Again these Kata are from Northern Shaolin sources but from which sub-style
>we are not sure. They do however, have strong Tiger Style characteristics.
>
>The name used on Okinawa was "Passai" and it translates as "Capture the
>Fortress".
>
>We are taught that Bassai-Dai symbolizes the capture of the fortress and
>Bassai-Sho symbolizes the fight to get out again.
>
>Kanku
>
>The Kanku Kata were taught to the Okinawans by Master Kwang Shang Fu -
>Military Attaché to Okinawa in 1724. The Okinawan way of saying his name is
>Kushanku and this was the Okinawan name for these Kata.
>
>Master Funakoshi changed the name to Kanku which means "to view the sky".
>
>Jion
>
>This is the classic "mainstream" Shaolin Kata, complete with the "Ming"
>salute at the beginning. Shaolin was also named Jion-Ji by the Japanese but
>the literal translation of the Kanji is "to love the sound" (of Shaolin).
>
>Ji-In <http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/kata.htm>
>
>Another Shaolin Classic and all of the above relating to Jion apply here
>too. The name translates to "love of truth
>
>Chinte
>
>This Kata is one of the older ones and it's salute at the beginning betrays
>its Wutang origin. The name translates to "to restore calm" or "to establish
>peace".
>
>The final moves of this Kata are supposed to represent the ocean waves
>disappearing into the dry sand on the beach just as your enemies would
>vanish before you if you master these techniques.
>
>Jutte (Jitte) <http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/kata.htm>
>
>Another Shaolin classic. The name means "ten hands". If you master this
>Kata, your enemies will feel as though you had ten hands
>
>Empi
>
>A classic white crane style Kata brought to Okinawa in 1644 by Military
>Attaché Master Wang-Shu. The Kata was names after him hence its Okinawan
>name of "Wanshu". This translates to "excellent or incredible arms" and
>perhaps this explains the lovely hand techniques this Kata contains.
>
>It also tells us that Master Wang-Shu must have been very good with his
>hands.
>
>Hangetsu
>
>This is a Wutang Kata that came to us through Master Itosu's training in
>Na-Ha-te from Master Higaonna. It is named after the third Chinese Zen
>Patriarch but the name Hangetsu, given to it by Master Funakoshi, means
>"half moon" - a description of the stance.
>
>Sochin  <http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/kata.htm>
>
>This is a Northern Shaolin Dragon Style originally taught on Okinawa by
>Master Aragaki. This Kata is supposed to demonstrate the power of "Ki" and
>the name means "to overcome using power" (of Ki).
>
>Unsu
>
>Another Dragon Style Kata from Aragaki. Where he trained is not known but
>the strong Chinese influences in this Kata suggest it was certainly in
>Mainland China.
>
>The name used on Okinawa is "Unshou" and it means "cloud defence" - even if
>your enemies surround you like a cloud, you will surely defeat them if you
>master Unsu.
>
>Nijushiho  <http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/kata.htm>
>
>Another of Aragaki's Kata but this one is thought to have its origins in one
>of the Dragon sub-styles.
>
>The name translates to "the twenty four steps". The form they are taken from
>is called "Kaisan". The old name was "Neseishi".
>
>Gojushiho
>
>These Kata are a departure from the norm as they have their origin in a
>Southern Shaolin Style called "Phonexi Eye". The form they are taken from is
>called "Kaisan". The name on Okinawa was "Useishi" but this was changed to
>Gojushiho - "the fifty four steps".
>
>Meikyo <http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/kata.htm>
>
>This is a very mysterious Kata. It seems that the Japanese knew it long
>before Master Funakoshi introduced Okinawan Karate into Japan. There is even
>a Japanese legend concerning Ameratsu, the Sun Goddess.
>
>It appears Ameratsu lost her mirror and could not admire herself and so went
>into a sulk. The world therefore, was in darkness. At last the other Gods
>decided something must be done so they sent a great warrior to perform a
>"war dance" outside her cave.
>
>Hearing the noise, Ameratsu became curious and came out of the cave. The
>"war dance" was reputed to be Meikyo.
>
>Meikyo translates to "mirror of the soul". The old name for Meikyo was Rohai
>and this is now coming back into use.
>
>
>
>Wankan  <http://www.ozwebart.com.au/kua/kata.htm>
>
>Shaolin based Kata of unknown origin. The old name was Wanduan and the name
>translates to "sword arm". Using these techniques, your enemies will think
>your arm is a sword.
>
>
>
>Gankaku
>
>Yet another White Crane form, this time taught by Master Ching-To, attaché
>to Okinawa from the Ming court in 1732, and so the Okinawans named it in his
>honor "Chinto".
>
>Master Funakoshi later renamed it Gankaku  (the crane on a rock).
>
>
>
>Blessings,
>
>Bill Ramsey
>
>
>
>
>
>SSG William J. Ramsey
>
>III Corps Staff Engineer Section /
>
>Det 1, 420th Engineer Brigade
>
>Systems Administrator (P)
>
>Information Management Officer (P)
>
>Information Assurance Security Officer (ALT)
>
>Phone: (254) 287-4590
>
>Fax: (254) 287-9640
>
>E-Mail:  <mailto:william.ramsey1@...> william.ramsey1@...
>
>
>
><< image001.jpg >>

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