hierarchy in karate

Kenshukai

Kenshukai Karate-do is a traditional Japanese Martial Art. The meaning of the club name is:

"Kenshu" = training, "Kai" = school or academy, "Karate-do" means the way of the empty hand.

Kenshukai Karate is based on two core styles: Shotokan and Goju-Ryu.

Shotokan is a school of Karate, reflecting the style of the initial students of master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). Although Funakoshi has created his own style, he has never given it a name, referring to it simply as "Karate".

"Shoto" means "pine waves", while "kan" means house. Therefore Shotokan literally translates to "the house of pine waves", and is the name that Funakoshi gave to the hall where he trained his students.

Rather than focusing on combat, Funakoshi put more emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy, and outstanding mind and body control.

Shotokan techniques in kihon (basics) and kata (pre-arranged sequence of moves) are characterised by powerful linear movements, and by deep, long stances which provide stability and also help strengthen the legs.

Shotokan can be regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' Martial Art.

Goju-Ryu- 'Go' means hardness or external force, 'ju' means softness or internal force.

Goju-ryu combines hard striking attacks like kicks and punches with softer circular techniques for blocking and controlling the opponent. Goju-ryu's specialty over the other karate styles is in-fighting or close-quarter combat. In this style, there's also a major emphasis on breathing correctly.

White belt - 9th Kyu Katas (Kyu- Colored Belts)

There are basically four katas for White belt

1. Taikyoyu Shodhan ( First time body converting into a weapon)

2. Taikyoyu Nidan (Second time my body converting into a weapon)

3. Taikyoyu Sandan (Third time my body converting into a weapon)

4. Heian Shodhan (Fusion and tranquility)- Peaceful Mind 

Taikyoku Shodan (First Cause, First Level)

Taikyoku Shodan involves only two basic moves: the gedan barai or low block, and chudan (middle) oi zuki (sometimes "oi tsuki"), or lunge punch. All stances, except at the beginning and end, are zenkutsu dachi (forward stance). There are 20 steps to this kata and you only turn inwards to the imbusen.

Taikyoku Nidan (First Cause, Second Level)

The second kata of the series, Taikyoku Nidan, is similar to Taikyoku Shodan, except that the chudan punches are all replaced with upper-level (jodan) punches.

Taikyoku Sandan (First Cause, Third Level)[edit]

The third kata of the series, Taikyoku Sandan, is similar to Taikyoku Shodan, except that moves 1, 3, 9, 11, 17 and 19 are replaced with middle level arm blocks (uchi uke) executed in back (kokutsu) stance.

Heian is pronounced as "Kan"

Shodan means first level

Heian means peaceful mind

The word Heian is a combination of Heiwan that means “Peacefulness” and Antei that means “Calmness.” For this reason the meaning of the kata signifies a “Peaceful Mind.” The name suggests that the student who has mastered the five Heian forms can be confident in his ability to defend himself, and hence would be able to adopt a state of “Peaceful Mind.”

Heian Shodan This kata takes the student through a similar floor pattern as Taikyoku Shodan, but incorporates different techniques including a hammerfist and a knifehand block. The kata also introduces changing stances from the normal front stance into a cat stance, and later into a back stance. 

 Shooter block / knifehand block

Step by step instruction

1. Bow - step into a natural stance

2. Step out to the left into a left front stance and execute a left downward block 

3. Step through into a right front stance and deliver a right straight punch 

4. Turn 180 degrees clockwise into a right front stance and execute a right downward block 

5. Slide the right foot back into a right cat stance and deliver a right downward hammer fist 

6. Step through into a left front stance and deliver a left straight punch

7. Turn 90 degrees counterclockwise into a left front stance and execute a left downward block 

8. Without changing stance, execute a left open hand upper block with tension 

9. Step through into a right front stance and execute a right upper block 

10. Step through into a left front stance and execute a left upper block 

11. Step through into a right front stance and execute a right upper block with a kiai 

12. Turn 270 degrees counterclockwise into a left front stance and execute a left downward block 

13. Step through into a right front stance and deliver a right straight punch 

14. Turn 180 degrees clockwise into a right front stance and execute a right downward block 

15. Step through into a left front stance and deliver a left straight punch 

16. Turn 90 degrees counterclockwise into a left front stance and execute a left downward block 

17. Step through into a right front stance and deliver a right straight punch 

18. Step through into a left front stance and deliver a left straight punch 

19. Step through into a right front stance and deliver a right straight punch with a kiai 

20. Turn 270 degrees counterclockwise into a left back stance and execute a left knifehand block 

21. Step forward at a 45 degree angle into a right back stance and execute a right knifehand block 

22. Turn 135 degrees clockwise into a right back stance and execute a right knifehand block 

23. Step forward at a 45 degree angle into a left back stance and execute a left knifehand block with a kiai 

24. Withdraw into a natural stance 

25. Bow - step into a natural stance 

http://www2.dickinson.edu/storg/karate/documents/heain_shodan.pdf

Za- Rei (Zen-Rei)

Za- Rei (Zen-Rei)  

Za- Rei is a Sieza (sitting posture)/ seated bow which is performed from the formal sitting posture. It means to pay respect or touch the ground. It is performed in Dojo(Gym) at the beginning and ending of a practice session.

The contenstant then moves into a kneeling posture by moving the left leg backward and loweering the left knee to the floor. The right knee is then brought to the floor, and the contestants lower his hips and sits on his spread knees with hands on thighs(thumbs to the inside and with back straight). The contestants then places both hands on the floor in front of his knees, with elbows out in the shape of angular brackets and bows the upper body forward until the head is 30 cm from the floor. women perform with both knees together.

Seiza - Sitting posture

Mokuso - Meditate