Naihanchi/Tekki series as one single Kata

[Dobbersky]

So for Decades I've been playing with the Idea of merging the Tekki series into one single Kata.

Recently I've been more active on this concept.

I've used Google AI to create the Kata without any repeats from the Kata to create a new hybrid version.

I'm pretty impressed with it. Once I am happy with it I will put the video on here for your critique.

Anyone else done the same with these Kata or different Kata

[sensei8]

We merged them together all of the time during class for continuity, grins, and giggles…mostly for the laughter. Got to break up the monotony of class from time to time.

Other than that, when all of the fun is done, business as usual.

[Spartacus Maximus]

Experienced more than a few dojo where the three kata are practised in order without stopping as if they were a single kata. Once thoroughly learned, one of the best ways to truly internalize a kata/form is to play around and experiment by varying things like speed, rythm and flow.

This kind of training is a good way to prevent boredom/overtraining and discover subtleties that regular non-private instruction time doesn’t always allow time for. 

 

[Wado Heretic]

I tend to view the Naihanchi series as a progression in how to generate and deliver power. Shodan introduces us to the fundamental matters of posture and structure, and the turning of the waist to generate power. Nidan introduces power generated by moving up and down, and by bending at the waist. Sandan tests our ability to generate power with small, and flowing movement. Furthermore, Nidan contains the key parts of Shodan, and Sandan contains the key components of Shodan and Nidan. In that sense, I do think they are better practiced separately. However, I have found a benefit of practicing them as one as it highlights their different and shared qualities. Also, when running through them as one I usually do them different orders. Starting at Sandan and going in reverse, or starting at Nidan and then working back to Shodan then onto Sandan or vice versa. 

I have found it more beneficial, personally, to experiment with Motobu Choki's advice to practice Naihanchi by going forward and back to see the applications. I got to learn a version of Naihanchi Sandan called Motobu Naihanchi which did just that. It came from Steve Cattle, and I suspect he got it from Motobu Ha Shito-Ryu but I am not 100% sure of its origins. I have given Shodan and Nidan the same treatment and it has been interesting. Sometimes I run through them in a manner similar to Sanchin, with a focus on proper structure and breathing. Other times I run through them in a flowing manner, and go through stances which feel natural in the moment.

I look forward to the video. There is definite value in the exercise because Naihanchi is a treasure trove, and coming to it from a different angle always brings something new to the fore. 

[bushido_man96]

Although not traditional Karate kata, the ATA forms were designed to flow from one to the next, like one large form.  So however many one had learned, they could all be done in succession without stopping or returning to ready stance.

[aurik]

Shuri-Ryu combines their 3 naihanchi kata and calls it o-naihanchi

[Wastelander]

I often run the three Naihanchi kata back-to-back-to-back, as it saves time removing the extra yoi and bowing, although that isn't quite the same as what you're trying to do with it. As aurik mentioned, Shuri-Ryu does have a version of Naihanchi which is basically the distilled combination of material from Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan, which they call "O-Naihanchi," although they generally claim that this is how Naihanchi was originally done, which is not the case. There is zero evidence to support the theory that those three kata were ever one long kata, and a good deal of evidence to support that some form of Naihanchi Shodan was the original Naihanchi kata, and Nidan and Sandan were created later--Nidan by Matsumura Sokon or Itosu Anko, and Sandan by Itosu Anko, depending on who you believe.