Hanshi Larry Cormier shares kata knowledge at the ISKA Black Belt College on Sat. Feb. 4th in Merced

Feb. 4th, 2017 -  ISKA Black Belt College Group at Salmeri's Shotokan Karate Dojo in Merced, CA

Thank you to all who attended the ISKA Black Belt College on Saturday, Feb. 4th in Merced. With over 30 black belts in attendance, Hanshi Cruz's spirit was alive and well. As many of you might remember, Hanshi Cruz used to hold regular black belt trainings and it is in his honor that we continue the tradition.

During the last Black Belt College session, we studied the Shotokan version of Hangetsu ("Half Moon") kata, which incidentally, was one of Sensei Nishiyama's favorite katas. It is a relatively short kata and therefore fairly easy to learn the basic movements, yet complex enough to take years to master...

During this session, Hanshi Larry Cormier demonstrated and taught the Shito-ryu version of Seisan (the old name for Hangetsu, meaning "Thirteen"). You can see similar threads, though the feel of the two versions are very different. Watch below as Hanshi Cormier demonstrates ​Seisan.​ It is much 'softer' than the Shotokan version, uses zenkutsu-dachi and sanchin-dachi instead of the longer hangestu-dachi and features signature Shito-ryu open handed techniques. Seisan also opens with the right leg forward while Hangetsu opens with the left. The opening sequence is familiar in Shito-ryu kata and has a strong historical foundation, no doubt from a formalized sequence in early Okinawan Te.
​ (Does anyone know the complete history?) 

Studying different versions of  kata is an anthropological approach to understanding the diverse interpretations and the personalities of various karate practitioners over the ages. It helps to understand that kata are not rigid textbooks of secret kata techniques, but rather fluid and living stories of bodily movement, culture, politics, combat, and performance. 

Seisan, the Shito-ryu "cousin" of Hangetsu
performed by Hanshi Larry Cormier
*(missed one side kick at the end)

Hangetsu
performed by Hanshi Rick Llewelyn, for comparison of the Shito-ryu version with the Shotokan version.

There are a few degrees of separation between these two versions of the Seisan/Hangetsu kata, but you can still see the  shared roots. You can  see the JKA influence in the deeper stances, harder blocks, more emphasis on contraction/expansion, and less stylistic squared-shoulder hand techniques of the Shito-ryu version. The hip action of the JKA style Hangetsu is emphasized for greater penetrative power, favoring Ikken Hisatsu​ ("one hit, one kill) over softer parry type blocking and striking. However, we did not cover the internal machinations and energy manipulation that is inherent in softer styles.
I have no doubt a blow from Hanshi Cormier would be very painful! 😊

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Save the date for the next session of the ISKA Black Belt College, scheduled for Saturday, April 8th, 2017. It will be held at Sensei John Leggett's dojo in Sacramento. Click here for details.