Bunkai: Wankan the Beginning
…following the exact movement-pattern of the technique called “shuto chudan uke,” but with a completely different use than that name indicates…
Bunkai: Wankan the Beginning Read More »
Kata and Kumite
Pinan 1 – Two Shuto Chudan
In Pinan 1 and Wankan there are two shuto chudan techniques in a row. This is probably not a repetition. The two techniques are different.
Pinan 1 – Two Shuto Chudan Read More »
Bunkai Pinan 1 Direction 1
The opening move of Pinan shodan can be used to defend when an attacker grabs your sleeve or forearm and your lapel or shoulder – a standard opening in judo and other arts.
Bunkai Pinan 1 Direction 1 Read More »
Pinan 5 Direction 1&2
We maneuver and strike, then immediately check our six. This happens frequently in our kata. We do not assume the threat is finished just because we have stopped one opponent.
Pinan 5 Direction 1&2 Read More »
Kata Kumite Disconnect
What is the relationship between kata, kumite matches and combatives? We cannot assume these are separate realms, or that they are the same.
Kata Kumite Disconnect Read More »
Bunkai: First Kata, 4-5
There is another possibility which is more likely: The opponent drops and attempts a take-down. That is a standard mode of attack for many grapplers. We need to train to prevent that.
Bunkai: First Kata, 4-5 Read More »
Pinan Sandan – In The Beginning
In this interpretation of pinan sandan this opponent is inside your defensive zone and has a hand on you. Here is how to stop this multistage attack.
Pinan Sandan – In The Beginning Read More »
Seize the Moment
If you fail to seize the moment, the moment may seize you. There are counter-grappling techniques throughout our kata.
Chudan Uke Critical Points
We do not advise covering your chest with an x and then hook around to push the incoming punch toward the outside edge of your body. Chudan Uke does not work that way.
Chudan Uke Critical Points Read More »
The End of Pinan Sandan
There are only two moves in which we turn our back on our opponent. Both are in Pinan Sandan. This video shows the one at the end: In this bunkai, for the last moves of Pinan Sandan, the end is victory. But that is not inevitable.
The End of Pinan Sandan Read More »
Yakusoku San
Demo of Yakusoku San. This shows embusen, and some of the quick reversal motions we emphasize. In this drill we stay in range, evade the incoming technique, reroute it, and counter, on two revolutions of the koshi.
2nd Kata Outdoor Training
For more info on Yamabayashi Shorin Ryu karate read True Karate Dō.
2nd Kata Outdoor Training Read More »
Kata Demo – Pinan GoDan
Kata demonstration of Pinan GoDan – the fifth of five Pinan kata, derived from Kusanku. Pinan GoDan shows the use of the throwing technique described in the article Ichi Knee.
Kata Demo – Pinan GoDan Read More »
Under Investigation
Our approach to kata bunkai interpretation treats kata as a subject for continual investigation. We look at ways to make each move effective.
Under Investigation Read More »
Kata Demo – Pinan Nidan
Demonstration of Pinan Nidan for members learning this kata, for embusen reference.
Kata Demo – Pinan Nidan Read More »