Sanchin and Naihanchi/Tekki

[Shorei_student]

I'm probably going to suggest one thing that Sanchin kata is excellent for, and that is child labor. Forget Lamaza, all you need is Sanchin. Even the raising and dropping of the pelvis during contractions works wonders.

Personally though, I was never very found of Sanchin in general, but it has many aspects that I believe are essential to any students training. Not the least being focus and breath.

As for O' Naihanchi I think it is more "practical" in teaching technique and stamina if you run all three consecutively. I might only be partial to Naihanchi because of it's legends of being a "dwarf" kata, and I find the history and arguements surrounding whether or not the three versions worked in my style of Shuri/Shorei were indeed once all one kata. As for the kata itself I find it to be choppy, not one that flows with ease, and over all just very much a basic kata. I know it is one of the most univeral katas worked in Okinawan and Japanese systems, which is why I think seeing all versions of it is intriuging. It gives me a sense of what we all have in common.

[Shorin Ryuu]

I don't believe all three of the Naihanchi kata were one kata. Mainly because Matsumura taught the first two and the third was made by his student, Itosu.

[Shorei_student]

I don't believe all three of the Naihanchi kata were one kata. Mainly because Matsumura taught the first two and the third was made by his student, Itosu.

Ahhh now I never said I believed that, just that I loved hearing people argue that. If you ever actually attempt to blend the three together it's very plain to see, imo, that they never were one.

[Shorin Ryuu]

My bad. I misread that (I was tired).

[cross]

If you ever actually attempt to blend the three together it's very plain to see, imo, that they never were one.

I agree with this.

I remember reading somewhere that the 3 kata were originally 1.

After i tried this myself i quickly came to the conclusion that they dont flow from one to the next very easily.

[MASIsshinryu]

Anyone else read Sensei Javier Martinez's book on Naihanchi? Some very interesting information, and good bunkai. He does a lot of good research on his topics, and provides good detail in the writing/pictures.