Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan

[OnlyAnEgg]

Well, class is taking a good turn. Sensei is beginning to train a little tougher, even on the kids. Discipline is now required, not requested. Pushup sessions for misbehaviour are starting to occur with more frequency.

I think this is good. I mean, it's ok for the kids to have fun; but, basic dojo discipline needs to be laid out clearly.

Focusing more on me, Sensei spends a little more time instructing me at my level of comprehension each class and I am much appreciative. Things like what an opponents stance will tell me, how they hold their hands, etc. I'm beginning speed drills at home, changing up combinations of blocks and strikes. I'm going to construct a primitive marakawa this week and begin beating the daylights out of it, too.

Hey, I just noticed: I'm a glorious beacon of light, now. Whooda thunkit?

 

[Navarre]

Maybe for variety's sake you would want to work in some of the improvised training drills I mentioned in an earlier post here. The basketball drill is actually kind of fun as well as useful in several ways. My post is partway down the page, right after one of yours (so I'm sure you've read it).

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

I never had a speed bag. I had a basketball. I stood a few feet away from a solid wall and popped the basketball into the wall with a "three-inch" punch, then repeated the action with the opposite hand as the basketball recoiled to me. I would see how many repeat hits I could get in a row. Good for timing, force control, and knuckle conditioning.

I have mentioned elsewhere about lighting a candle and throwing reverse punches or backfists at it. The goal is to suck the flame out *toward* you instead of pushing it away. The same drill can be done with a styrofoam cup sitting upside down near the edge of a table. This works on speed of recoil and economy of motion.

Well, I'm skipping the railway suggestion right off the bat; but, the b-ball one will help certainly. I can do that in my driveway.

Any speed drill, such as the candle one, cannot but help to increase performance.

Domo

 

[Navarre]

As you progress, you will find the railway suggestion a fitting test. At higher levels you will be able to move so quickly, running backwards along a single rail of the track, that the oncoming train will never touch you.

You should be able to moderate your running speed so that you can keep pace just ahead of the train, touching it with one hand at all times without it hitting you.

When true mastery comes, you will realize there is no train. The train shall pass harmlessly through you because your mind will recognize that it was only real in your mind.

... My advice would be to start with the basketball drill first.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

...there is no train...My advice would be to start with the basketball drill first.

Wait...is there a basketball?

Domo

 

[Navarre]

Ah-so. You have taken the first step toward enlightenment, my young padwan learner.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Man, I can hardly get any practice time in this week. Our church band (of which I am trombonist ichi) is goin' on da road Friday and the setlist is tricky. I missed class last night; but, I'm going tonight. Too much...it's like trombonekan or Ko Sutembone or something. Overload!

 

[Kosokun]

Ho-hum. Students don't award their instructors ninth dan. It is a BS organization. RUN to another dojo.

Hi Gene,

Don Madden's Legit. When I was competing on the USA Karate Team, he was our Coach. He produced several members of the team over the years and has built a large organization that provides support to "orphans" from traditional karate. He's now involved with the IJJF and USA Jujitsu and has produced several top flight Jujitsu competitors. Both, his involvement with Karate and with Jujitsu has been with the International Governing Bodies under the International Olympic Committee.

On top of that, he's a good guy, Gene. You'd really enjoy hanging out with him.

Rob

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Thank you, Kosokun.

I've been with this school for a month and a half now and my personal feeling is that it is not a beltmill or McDojo. Information on the web is scattered and sketchy, at best, for Seieikan. I enjoy hearing from someone with real experience.

Thank you again.

:asian:

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

I welcome any comparisons.

Fukyugata Ich

• Attention
• Bow
• Look Left
• Turn 90 Left, Left Low Block
• Step Forward Right, Right Middle Punch
• Turn 180 Right, Right Low Block
• Step Forward Left, Left Middle Punch
• Turn Left, Left Low Block
• Step Forward Right, Right Middle Punch
• Step Forward Left, Left Middle Punch
• Step Forward Right, Right Middle Punch
• Turn Left 225, Left Low Block
• Step Forward Right, Right High Block
• Turn Right 90, Right Low Block
• Step Forward Left, Left High Block
• Turn 45 Left, Right Reverse Punch, Cha!
• Step Forward Right, Left Reverse Punch
• Step Forward Left, Right Reverse Punch
• Step Forward Right, Left Reverse Punch
• Turn Left 225, Left Low Block
• Step Forward Right, Right High Punch
• Turn Right 90, Right Low Block
• Step Forward Left, Left High Punch
• Return to start with Left
• Bow
• Attention

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Fukyugata Ni

• Attention
• Bow
• Step Out with Right Foot, Pivoting Left On Left Foot Into A Left High Block
• Step Forward Right, Right Punch
• Sweep Right Arm Into Left Low Block, Stepping Back with Right Foot Into Horse Stance
• Looking To Right, Step Out With Left Foot, Right High Block
• Sweep Left Arm Into Right Low Block, Stepping Back with Left Foot Into Horse Stance
• Step Forward With Left Foot, Left Chest Block
• Step Forward With Right Foot, Right Chest Block
• Left Front Snap Kick
• Left Elbow Strike
• Left Low Block
• Right Punch, Cha!
• Pivoting on both feet, Reverse Stance, Right Knife Hand Block
• Step Forward Left, Left Chest Block
• Right Front Snap Kick
• Right Elbow Strike
• Right Low Block
• Left Punch
• Pivoting on both feet, Reverse Stance, Left Knife Hand Block
• Bring Right Foot Up To Left Foot
• Reach Forward, Right Wrist Over Left, Grab And Pull Back To Left, Stepping Back With Left Foot
• Right Backfist
• Double Punch, Right Fist Low
• Bring Left Foot Up To Right Foot
• Reach Forward, Left Wrist Over Right, Grab And Pull Back To Right, Stepping Back With Right Foot
• Left Backfist
• Double Punch, Left Fist Low
• Return To Attention
• Bow
• Attention

On these two descriptions, please pardon my abject lack of Japanese terminology.

 

[Navarre]

I can't think of any comparisons because these are the same first two katas I know! lol

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

lol

I suppose I meant between Seieikan and other Okinawan styles.

Brain's a little laggy today. Sorry.

 

[The Kai]

They both start out like Taihokyou 1 and 2 respectively then go into something different. Are they tradtional or modified?

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

They both start out like Taihokyou 1 and 2 respectively then go into something different. Are they tradtional or modified?

They're modified, I believe. I'm struck by the feeling that Seieikan is an Americanization of earlier Shotokan/Okinawan forms. It's been difficult to get enough time to speak with Sensei on these more in-depth topics.

 

[Navarre]

Seiei Kan is definitely Americanized and has borrowed from Shotokan and Okinawa. If you go to larger tournaments and watch students from other systems, you will see katas that are virtually identical to the Seiei Kan katas.

I'm not offended by that because Mr. Madden's credentials are completely legitimate, as is the system. All these systems have to come from somewhere.

 

[Kosokun]

Egg, The forms that you outlined are Fyukyugata Ichi and Ni. Fyukyugata Ichi was authored by Shoshin Nagamine, the founder of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu. Hayashi Ha Shito Ryu and possibly Motobu Ha Shito Ryu do this form, too, but it's called "Ten No Kata". Fyukyugata Ni, was created by Chojun Miyagi, founder of goju ryu, and is known in goju as Gekisai Dai Ichi. Hayashi Ha Shito Ryu does this form and calls it "Chi No Kata". Rob

 

[Navarre]

Thanks for the information on these katas, Rob. May I ask as to the source of your information?

These are the first two katas in our system, required for the first belt test as well. After that it goes into a bunch of Pinan katas, which I believe to come from Shotokan. There are more miscellaneous katas beyond that, probably borrowed from different systems.

I take it that Mr. Madden took katas to be a strongly desired component of his system and so incorporated those kata he saw as beneficial. Seiei Kan is very much an "open" system, incorporating whatever works towards the desired end. Therefore, this fits with the system's principles.

 

[OnlyAnEgg]

Egg, The forms that you outlined are Fyukyugata Ichi and Ni. Fyukyugata Ichi was authored by Shoshin Nagamine, the founder of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu. Hayashi Ha Shito Ryu and possibly Motobu Ha Shito Ryu do this form, too, but it's called "Ten No Kata". Fyukyugata Ni, was created by Chojun Miyagi, founder of goju ryu, and is known in goju as Gekisai Dai Ichi. Hayashi Ha Shito Ryu does this form and calls it "Chi No Kata". Rob

As I'm at work and cannot reference the material, is this the same Ten No Kata that I recall seeing in Funakoshi's text, Nyumon?

 

[Kosokun]

As I'm at work and cannot reference the material, is this the same Ten No Kata that I recall seeing in Funakoshi's text, Nyumon?

No, it's not. Funakoshi's Ten no kata is a two person pre-arranged kumite drill. Utilizing Sensei Google, I find: 4. Ten-no Kata (basic application) These basic exercises teach you how to apply the technique in relation to a partner. The partner executes an agreed attack to which you exercise a specific defence and counter. The skill developed is to learn to follow the trajectory of the partners attack and to apply a defensive technique in time and to gain maximum efficiency from it and to understand what counter technique will work. Skills like how to move in a fast, yet physically relaxed manner; how to punch, kick or deflect attacks -all of these are covered in a systematic manner. (From: http://www.karatedoshotokai.com/clubs/oxford/training.asp) Fyukyukata: There are mpegs on the site of Fyukyukata as well as other Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu kata. http://web1.38231.vs.webtropia.com/indexen.html Remember: Fyukyukata ichi = Ten no kata of Hayashi Ha Fyukyukata ni = Chi no kata of Hayashi Ha and Gekisai Dai Ichi of Goju. Rob