Seidokan Karate

In this written project I have chosen to write about the art of Karate. I chose this topic because I find it very interesting, and I would really like to know more about it. And also I practise karate, so it is something I know a little about.

Problem formulation:

What is the history of Seidokan karate? Who started it, when, where and so on. How is Seidokan Karate practised? What are the rules and regulations? Why is this sport important, and what does it give the athlete to perform such a sport?

 

History

 

The origin of karate can be traced back to the Orient. The development of karate took place on Okinawa. It is said that karate started with the munks in Asia, because they needed to learn to defend themselves against thieves along the road. And they were not allowed to use weapons by their god, so they had to learn a way to defend themselves without weapons. This was the origin of karate, but karate has developed a lot since then. And now there is a wide range of styles within karate, I am going to write about Seidokan karate.

Karate is a joining of two words, "kara" (empty) and "te" (hand). Karate is a self defence method that enhances the mind and body`s ability to defend itself against expected or unexpected attacks, from one or several attackers. Karate is designed to make you be able to defend yourself even if the opponent is armed.

The founder of the Okinawan Seidokan Karate is Shihan Toma. In the beginning there were not the wide differentiation of styles that there is today. At that time, most of the Sensei`s (karate teachers) taught only a small number of kata. ( I will explain what a kata is later)

It was founded an All Japan Karate Association, but in the mid sixties there was a significant split within the association. They disagreed about whether there should be "full contact" in sparring (kumite) or the "no contact" variation. Soke Toma felt that the "hard" methods were the right ones, since that was the true Okinawan way.

Seidokan Karate is a "total" fighting art because it includes the kicking, punching and boxing techniques of karate; the throwing and joint- locking techniques of Aiki- Ju- Jutsu; the traditional weaponry of Okinawa; and the sword techniques of the Samurai. Now there are schools throughout Okinawa/Japan, US, UK, Africa, Norway, Italy and Greece.

There is a lot more to the history of Seidokan karate, this was only a small part of the beginning of this karate style.

 

 

Mokuso

"Meditation is deep contemplation"

Mokuso is like meditation. In karate, mokuso is done before and after a training session. This makes you more focused and prepared for training, it helps you forget the outside world for a while and only focus on what you are going to do on today’s training.

Mokuso helps you relax, it has a therapeutic effect and it improves your breathing.

 

 

Kata

 

A kata is like "fighting against yourself" in a pattern. Katas have been passed down from a long time ago. We know that it has been influenced by the chinese, and several katas today have chinese names. Some karate schools are still using the original names, but others have chosen to use the new names.

 

Kata practise:

There are several different katas, ranging from the most elementary to the most difficult patterns. A kata should be performed as if you are under an actual attack, the key word is "explosive". Before you start your kata you must rei to the front and say the name of the kata out loud.

There is a saying that the way you say your kata is the way you will perform your kata. So you have to say it in a powerful way.

 

The different styles of karate practise different katas, these are the ones Seidokan Karate practise:

ANANKU

WANSU

PASSAI

PIÑAN SHODAN

PIÑAN NIDAN

PIÑAN SANDAN

PIÑAN YONDAN

PIÑAN GODAN

NAIHANCHI

PASSAI SHO

GOJUSHIHO

CHINTO

KUSANKU

KIHON BO (Basic Wooden Staff Kata)

TOKUMINE NO KUN (BO)

KIHON SAI(Basic Short Trident Kata)

KIHON TONFA (Basic Mill Handle Kata)

KIHON KAMA (Basic Sickle Kata)

Iai Kata (Long Sword Kata)

 

A kata is a pattern which prepares you to attack or defend yourself from any angle. North, south, east or west.

There are also katas that are performed with weapons. But the difference is that with weapons katas you are primarily defending yourself against an armed assiliant. And with empty handed katas it is responses to attacks whether they are armed or unarmed.

 

 

Grading

After practising a while (depending on which belt you have), you get the opportunity to earn another belt. To each belt you are supposed to have learnt certain techniques an katas.

The kyu (student) grades are generally like this:

1.    Beginners level (white belt)

2.    Eighth kyu (yellow belt)

3.    Seventh kyu (orange belt)

4.    Sixth kyu (green belt)

5.    Fifth kyu (blue belt)

6.    Fourth kyu (second blue belt)

7.    Third kyu (junior brown belt)

8.    Second kyu (intermediate brown belt)

9.    First kyu (senior brown belt)

 

The Dan (instructor) grades are like this:

The Dan grades go from first degree black belt to tenth degree black belt.

1.    Shodan (1. Degree black belt)

2.    Nidan (2. Degree black belt)

3.    Sandan (3. Degree black belt)

4.    Yondan (4. Degree black belt)

5.    Godan (5. Degree black belt)

And so on…

 

 

Sensei

 

"A student seeks a teacher knowing nothing and ,therefore, can never be greater than his teacher."

A Sensei is a karate teacher. You should always show your Sensei respect and never be disrespectful. A Sensei should have these qualities:

I think that these qualities in a Sensei is extremely important, and that this has a big effect on the students. Your Sensei should be your role model, but you should not try to be like him. You should develop your own style after some time, but your Sensei should always be there to help you. If your Sensei is positive, inspiring and loves teaching, you will be inspired to do your best and be more interested in learning. I know that having a great Sensei has inspired me a lot, and has made me even more interested in continuing to train karate.

 

 

Dojo- rules

 

The place of training for karate is called a dojo. A dojo can be almost anywhere, but the best thing is to have a place only for karate trainings.

In a dojo you have rules, and they must always be followed. They are the following:

 

 

Dojo Kun no Toma (Toma’s Dojo Principles)

 

Lessons learned in the Dojo.

To endeavour to complete your personality.

To keep sincerity.

To cultivate a spirit of effort.

To respect courtesy (manners).

To rebuke hot blooded courage (not fighting in anger).

 

 

 

Kobudo

The main weapons taught in Seidokan Karate are the Bo

(known as 'Kun' in the Okinawan dialect), the Kama, Sai, and the Tonfa. The Nunchaku are also taught, though traditionally there are no kata for this weapon. (However, some systems have made kata for the nunchaku in an effort to preserve the authentic techniques, as opposed to the flashy slight-of-hand flipping that most modern sport practitioners are known for.) There are also the Iai kata taught at the master level.

 

 

Martial arts, a way of life.

 

" The highest mountain is moral knowledge, the lowest skill." - Raymond Mbazima

 

Martial arts can help you in the real world as well as in a self- defence situation. From martial arts we can learn to manage our thoughts and emotions. You can learn to control your anger with karate, because you are not supposed to fight in anger. The principal goal of martial arts is to nurture character.

Character is demonstrated when you restrain yourself when others do not; when you react without anger; when you defend yourself without malice; when you block pain, and continue to focus your thoughts as well as actions; and when you embrace peace at the gate of victory. - From the book "Karate-Do", by Raymond Mbazima

 

 

My experiences

I have practised karate for three years. It is not very many women who practise karate, but over the years it has become more accepted. And there are more women joining in. I feel that practising karate gives me more confidence, and I also feel safer when I walk home at night. To train karate you do not have to be a very strong or violent person as many people believe. You train karate to learn how to defend yourself if you are attacked, not to learn how to attack others. In Nesodden Seidokan Karate there is a very good environment, and I am very pleased with this club. We have a great Sensei who inspires us all. There are people of all ages here, from 7 years to over 40. I really feel that anyone is suitable for karate practise, and that anyone who joins will have very positive experiences.

 

Sources:

Internet:

Karate History++

http://www.su.ukc.ac.uk/societies/karate/history.html

Pictures, kata and kumite

http://quis.qub.ac.uk/seidokan/Homepage.html, http://www.russbo.com/seidokan_kata.html

Books:

"Karate Do" Raymond Mbazima

 

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