Tai ichi neko and Tai ichi gedan

[구미호]

Good day, I was wondering if anyone in the Shorei/Shuri-ryu system practices the katas listed in the subject. We are trying to find history of them. Thanks in advance.

 

[isshinryuronin37 37]

Good day, I was wondering if anyone in the Shorei/Shuri-ryu system practices the katas listed in the subject. We are trying to find history of them. Thanks in advance.

You're referring to taikyoku kata, which are more modern inventions to guide beginners into basic kata, consisting mostly of one step, one technique (sometimes two) in a simple pattern. They are mostly found in Japanese systems (so not really Shorei or Shuri), though other styles' schools may have appropriated them or created their own version of beginner kata.

Shotokan's version was created by Gichin Funakoshi's son, "Gigo," (I'm guessing in around 1938-42) and "Japanese" goju's version by Gogen Yamaguchi (around 1958-62). Other styles that have taikyoku are generally based on these two main families.

Personally, other than maybe one "dojo" kata for raw beginners and kids, I'm not in favor of taikyoku kata as I see it as an un-needed "dumbing down" before starting the traditional kata. Itosu developed the Pinans for this purpose and IMO those are basic enough for beginners.

 

[구미호]

Thank you, but no, I am not referring to the Gichin Funakoshi's kata of Taikyoku katas, which we do practice in our school. These are different, though Tai ichi gedan is basically Taikyoku Ichi but ran in a 45 degree horse stance instead of zens.

I'm spelling the katas phonetically, but no sure if that is correct or not. I have been told it was a Kosho-ryu form, but I do not see it anywhere in the Kosho-ryu curriculum. That's why I was wondering if any other Shorei/Shuri schools practice these two forms. I know Kosho-ryu has Neko Buto kata, but that is entirely different from what these two are.

 

[isshinryuronin37 37]

I have been told it was a Kosho-ryu form,

Reading up on Kosho-ryu, a self-defense art based on spiritual development, it claims to have been taught in secret for 1500 years in Japan (again, with neither Okinawan Shorei or Shorin roots). I have not come across this style in any of my extensive readings on Okinawan karate. To be honest, the info I read leads me to personally believe this style is a commercialized packaging of various Oriental MA ideas. I would guess its forms were taken from other styles and modified or invented by Mitosi, Chow and/or Bruce Junick. I'm more familiar with it being called "Shorinji kempo." Please note I have not commented on any aspect of the teachings of this art.

 

[Same Trick93 44]

”Tai ichi neko and tai ichi gedan”
Never heard of them.
First one would be in English something like -” great number one cat” - and the other - ” great number one lower level(position?)”.

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