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Seisan
The karate kata Seisan (十三) (alternate names Sesan, Seishan, Jusan, Hangetsu) literally means '13'. Some people refer to the kata as '13 Hands', '13 Fists', '13 Techniques', '13 Steps' or even '13 killing positions'; however, these names have no historical basis.
Seisan is thought to be one of the oldest kata, being quite spread among other Nahate schools. Shito-Ryū has its own version similar to Sanchin and different versions are now practiced even in Shuri-te derivatives like Shotokan (called Hangetsu) and in Wado-Ryū (called Seishan). Isshin-ryū also adopted this kata. Korean Tang Soo Do adopted it, and it is called either by its original name Sei-Shan or Seishan, or by Ban Wol which is the Korean translation of Hangetsu ("half moon"). Due to its difficulty, this kata is often reserved for advanced Tang Soo Do students.
The following styles have made this kata a formal part of their curriculum.
There are numerous theories regarding the name of the kata. These include the number of steps originally in the kata, the number of different types of 'power' or 'energy' in the kata, the number of applications, or that the kata represents defense against 13 specific types of attack. None of these explanations have actual historical support. While it is believed Seisan derives from Yong Chun White Crane Boxing from Fujian Province in Southern China, where the form is known as 'Four Gate Hands', this remains completely unproven and uncorroborated. There are some other Chinese styles having a form called 'Shisan' (13) in their curricula. According to research conducted by Emanuel Giordano, the kata would derive from the Chinese form 三戰十字 San Zhan Shizi.
Versions of Seisan taught today have roots in Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te streams of karate that are believed to have been traditionally taught in the Okinawan towns of Shuri, Naha and Tomari respectively.
This is the second of the three kata of Pangai-noon learned and then taught by Kanbun Uechi. It has obvious foundations in Sanchin, relying primarily on the "Sanchin stance" or sanchin dachi (三戦立ち) and opening as does Uechi-Ryū Sanchin for three strikes then later returning to these strikes near the end of the kata. Compared with other versions of the kata, Uechi-Ryū's is very different. The kata introduces some of the basic techniques such as knee strikes, the one-knuckle punch shōken zuki (小拳突き), spearhand nukite (貫手突き), and the front kick shōmen geri (正面蹴り) which were then incorporated in the "bridging" kata created by Kanbun Uechi's son and senior students between Sanchin and Seisan. In modern Uechi-Ryū, it is the fifth kata learned and the one tested for the first "black belt" or shodan (初段) grade.
Isshin-Ryū traditionally teaches this kata as the first one to be learned in their curriculum, unlike other styles. As is a feature of the style, all punches are performed with a vertical fist. The founder's primary teacher of the kata was Chotoku Kyan of the Shorin-Ryū style, but the Isshin-ryu version also shares many features with the Goju-Ryū style, including tension and breathing techniques. Meaning 13, some people refer to it as 13 hands, 13 fists, or 13 steps. Following the tradition of Chotoku Kyan, is the first kata the Isshinryu student learns. This kata is of Chinese and Shorin Ryu origin. It is one of the original kata from the ancient Pangia Noon style. Its name is derived from Master Seshan. The kata teaches the student how to fight several opponents directly in front of him and how to turn and face opponents coming from different directions. It emphasizes the "Seisan Stance" (SHO ZENKUTSU DACHI) of fighting. Bushi Matsumura developed Seisan as part of Okinawan Shuri – Te Style. He passed the kata to Chotoku Kyan, who passed it to Tatsuo Shimabuku.
The Goju-Ryū (Naha-te) version of the kata is a more complicated version that contains close range fighting techniques such as short-range punches, low kicks, and directional changes to unbalance the opponent. It contains techniques performed under full tension through the range of motion, as well as strong fast techniques. Seisan is said to complement Seiunchin. Although rooted in the same form, significant differences can be seen in the Goju version compared to the other versions mentioned above.
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Seisan
The karate kata Seisan (十三) (alternate names Sesan, Seishan, Jusan, Hangetsu) literally means '13'. Some people refer to the kata as '13 Hands', '13 Fists', '13 Techniques', '13 Steps' or even '13 killing positions'; however, these names have no historical basis.
Seisan is thought to be one of the oldest kata, being quite spread among other Nahate schools. Shito-Ryū has its own version similar to Sanchin and different versions are now practiced even in Shuri-te derivatives like Shotokan (called Hangetsu) and in Wado-Ryū (called Seishan). Isshin-ryū also adopted this kata. Korean Tang Soo Do adopted it, and it is called either by its original name Sei-Shan or Seishan, or by Ban Wol which is the Korean translation of Hangetsu ("half moon"). Due to its difficulty, this kata is often reserved for advanced Tang Soo Do students.
The following styles have made this kata a formal part of their curriculum.
There are numerous theories regarding the name of the kata. These include the number of steps originally in the kata, the number of different types of 'power' or 'energy' in the kata, the number of applications, or that the kata represents defense against 13 specific types of attack. None of these explanations have actual historical support. While it is believed Seisan derives from Yong Chun White Crane Boxing from Fujian Province in Southern China, where the form is known as 'Four Gate Hands', this remains completely unproven and uncorroborated. There are some other Chinese styles having a form called 'Shisan' (13) in their curricula. According to research conducted by Emanuel Giordano, the kata would derive from the Chinese form 三戰十字 San Zhan Shizi.
Versions of Seisan taught today have roots in Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te streams of karate that are believed to have been traditionally taught in the Okinawan towns of Shuri, Naha and Tomari respectively.
This is the second of the three kata of Pangai-noon learned and then taught by Kanbun Uechi. It has obvious foundations in Sanchin, relying primarily on the "Sanchin stance" or sanchin dachi (三戦立ち) and opening as does Uechi-Ryū Sanchin for three strikes then later returning to these strikes near the end of the kata. Compared with other versions of the kata, Uechi-Ryū's is very different. The kata introduces some of the basic techniques such as knee strikes, the one-knuckle punch shōken zuki (小拳突き), spearhand nukite (貫手突き), and the front kick shōmen geri (正面蹴り) which were then incorporated in the "bridging" kata created by Kanbun Uechi's son and senior students between Sanchin and Seisan. In modern Uechi-Ryū, it is the fifth kata learned and the one tested for the first "black belt" or shodan (初段) grade.
Isshin-Ryū traditionally teaches this kata as the first one to be learned in their curriculum, unlike other styles. As is a feature of the style, all punches are performed with a vertical fist. The founder's primary teacher of the kata was Chotoku Kyan of the Shorin-Ryū style, but the Isshin-ryu version also shares many features with the Goju-Ryū style, including tension and breathing techniques. Meaning 13, some people refer to it as 13 hands, 13 fists, or 13 steps. Following the tradition of Chotoku Kyan, is the first kata the Isshinryu student learns. This kata is of Chinese and Shorin Ryu origin. It is one of the original kata from the ancient Pangia Noon style. Its name is derived from Master Seshan. The kata teaches the student how to fight several opponents directly in front of him and how to turn and face opponents coming from different directions. It emphasizes the "Seisan Stance" (SHO ZENKUTSU DACHI) of fighting. Bushi Matsumura developed Seisan as part of Okinawan Shuri – Te Style. He passed the kata to Chotoku Kyan, who passed it to Tatsuo Shimabuku.
The Goju-Ryū (Naha-te) version of the kata is a more complicated version that contains close range fighting techniques such as short-range punches, low kicks, and directional changes to unbalance the opponent. It contains techniques performed under full tension through the range of motion, as well as strong fast techniques. Seisan is said to complement Seiunchin. Although rooted in the same form, significant differences can be seen in the Goju version compared to the other versions mentioned above.