Neko Ashi Dachi (Cat Stance) Roll Call

[Shorin Ryuu]

I'm just curious academically to see which styles have neko ashi dachi as a sort of "fixed stance", those that have it only as a transitory movement or those that don't have it all.

 

I'm fully aware of the transitory nature of all stances, so please do not "enlighten" me on that...

 

I'm actually more interested in style name and your response rather than a numerical poll. Obviously someone that does pankration wouldn't have it or people in the same style would both have it, thus throwing off the numbers...

 

My system (Shorin Ryu Shorinkan) has neko ashi dachi in many of our kata. I've trained for a year in Kenshin Kan Matsumura Shorin Ryu and I noticed they did not have it as an "official" stance and only as a transition.

 

Once again, I'm fully aware of the transitory nature of stances in general. The Japanese obssession with "a count" and static stances really played a big role in how most people see stances today.

 

I look forward to your responses.

Edited February 7, 2005 by Shorin Ryuu

[isshinryu5toforever]

Yes Isshin-Ryu Karate has a cat stance. We actually use it fairly often in kata.

[Kaminari]

Yes, in Shito-Ryu Karate the stance is used in kata often.

[Sauzin]

Yes Okinawan Kenpo (Nakimura Shigero line) does officially have cat stances as does Okinawan Goju-Ryu.

[Ronnryu]

Oh yes Shito ryu we have that stance in most of the kata .

[smr]

Yes, we have it in Matsumura Seito and in Shuri-ryu. I think we use it because it looks cool. I can't imagine it being useful as a static or even as a transitory stance. The only remote posibility I can muster is if somebody is striking to the outside of your knee, you might sink into a cat stance so that the impact is met at the back of the knee, and your weight is supported by the back foot.

 

If you can provide real application to this stance, it would be greatly appreciated.

Edited February 7, 2005 by smr

[kataman]

Yes we have it in my style shotokan traditionel karate,but itis only used in black belt kata,the basi kata are done with kokutsu dashi(back stance)

[June1]

We definitely have it in Shotokan. It is used, in fact, in our very first kata, Heian Shodan. It's the fourth move in the series of movements.

 

One of my favourite stances!

[Kaminari]

Because most (if not all) of your weight is put on the back foot, you can throw kicks faster.

[ninjanurse]

Shotokan