KSD Posted April 23, 2004 Posted April 23, 2004 Watching Tetsuhiko Asai perform Nijushiho on the old black and white 8mm films. That is Shotokan
cathal Posted April 23, 2004 Author Posted April 23, 2004 Wow there certainly seems to be a few that are being tossed around. Hangetsu seems to be the most voted for so far. Any one else? .The best victory is when the opponent surrendersof its own accord before there are any actualhostilities...It is best to win without fighting.- Sun-tzu
G95champ Posted April 23, 2004 Posted April 23, 2004 Hands down the answer is Kanku Dai. Why its a combo of the 5 Heian kata and the tekki series. Its a very long kata and works on both offense, defense, jumping, throwing, punching, kicking, odd strikes, etc. IMO Kanku Dai is the ROOT kata of Shotoakn. Others Bassai Dai - anytime you see it you know its a shotokan school. Very powerful and great focus on hips. Sochin - I love this kata but Shotokan students rarely pricatice the sochin stance except for the kata. So I would not say its good pick. Hangetsu - see Sochin Gichin Funakoshi said the big 4 Shotokan kata were Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion and Empi. I agree.... (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."
returning_wave Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 My choice would be Tekki (Naihanchi), as it was a favourtie of the masters who made karate what it is today. Although Kanku-dai would be a close second. Note that the heins are derivative from kanku not the other way around. and similarities to tekki are coincidental - they evolved almost compeltely seperately. 3rd Kyu - Variant ShotokanTaijutsu"We staunt traditionalists know that technique is nowhere near as important as having your pleats straight when you die."
renketsu Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 Kanku Dai is the obvious choice Although I do have to say I much prefer the Sho version now-a-days Andy. Andy Wilkinson (Sandan)Renketsu Karate Club Senior Instructor(http://www.renketsu.org.uk)
Killer Miller Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 What philosophies would you be referring to? I don't completely understand the question? Each Kata is part of the overall philosophies and have a different purpose of something to learn. Please elaborate for clarity. - Killer Miller -I am wondering if there is any one kata that you think most represents the training and philosophies of Shotokan? Mizu No KokoroShodan - Nishiyama SenseiTable Tennis: http://www.jmblades.com/Auto Weblog: http://appliedauto.mypunbb.com/Auto Forum: http://appauto.wordpress.com/
cathal Posted April 25, 2004 Author Posted April 25, 2004 Well that is definitely why I was asking the question, Killer Miller. To determine if there was any one kata that seemed to personify the philosphies of our style. Although I'm certain that this may be an elusive decision as there are many opinions being expressed here. Perhaps there could never be? .The best victory is when the opponent surrendersof its own accord before there are any actualhostilities...It is best to win without fighting.- Sun-tzu
aefibird Posted April 25, 2004 Posted April 25, 2004 I think that all Shotokan kata have elements and philosophies of Shotokan kata in them - that's why they are Shotokan kata IMO, because they reflect the aspects and traditions of our style. If they didn't incorporate the philosophies of Shotokan then there would be no need to have them as part of the Shotokan kata canon. That's probably why we're getting so many different answers - because all these kata reflect what shotokan is about (although, it is interesting to note that Hangetsu and Kanku Dai appear quite a bit). As an opposite question, which Shotokan kata do you think LEAST reflects the 'traditions and philosophies' of Shotokan. Basically, which do you think would be the least-missed kata if it was dropped from the Shotokan kata list? :? "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
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