SFSeigokan Vocab page

Katas
Kihon Kata --- Basic punching Kata
Master Seigo Tada created this kata. It contains basic strikes, blocks, punches, transitions and stances of Goju-Ryu.

Gekisai Dai-Ichi and Dai-Ni --- Attack and Destroy One and Two
Master Chojun Miyagi created these katas. It integrates basic kicking with blocks, strikes, and punches. It introduces the use of Tensho technique, how to move in 8 directions, side stepping, back stepping, and the use of the cat stance. It comes close to the idea of entering techniques, used in Aikido.

Saifa --- Smash and Tear to Pieces
Saifa teaches how to counter being grabbed by one or two opponents. The centerpiece of the kata is the crane kick movement. Understanding of the grappling and striking techniques of this Kata, Saifa can be interpreted to mean grabbing and tearing of tissue in close-quartered combat.

Sanchin --- Three Battles or Conflicts
Sanchin follows the "hard" style of karate – all the muscles are to be flexed and tensed throughout the kata – actually making it the most strenuous kata. Only one stance is used – the sanchin stance. Sanchin dachi is a practical stance, and yet is the most difficult stance to master. The legs protect the body from sweep kicks, the thighs are to trap low kicks, the punch draws its power from the earth through the legs – the flip of the hips enables the strength of the whole body to be channeled and focused into one punch. Sanchin develops discipline, determination, focus, perseverance and other mental attributes. Sanchin has aspects as deep, diaphragmatic breathing found in many internal arts as well as external attributes like mechanical alignment and muscular strength.

Seiyunchin --- Control, Suppress, and Pull in Battle
Seiyunchin translates to "control, suppress, and pull," and is most appropriate, as the kata demonstrates the use of techniques to unbalance, throw and grapple. Seiyunchin contains close-quartered striking, sweeps, takedowns and throws. Though the kata itself is devoid of kicks, many practitioners make the grave mistake by missing the opportunity to apply any leg technique. Though almost invisible to the untrained eye, the subtleness of "ashi barai" and "suri ashi" can represent foot sweeps, parries and traps. The centerpiece of Seiyunchin is a stance taken directly from the White Crane style.

U Keno Kata --- Blocking and Defensive Kata
Master Seigo Tada created this kata. It contains basic blocking forms and four directions kata.

Tensho --- Revolving Hands
Tensho means turning or flowing hands. It is a combination of hard dynamic tension with deep breathing and soft flowing hand movements, and is very characteristic of the Goju-Ryu style. Tensho can imply the restriction and specific direction of energies within the energy pathways of the body, both superficial and deep.

Shisochin --- Battle in Four Directions
Shisochin emphasizes the power of Goju-Ryu, the hard and the soft, and integrates it in one. It is a switch between long distance combat and close quarter combat. Master Miyagi Chojun called Shisochin his favorite kata, as he believed it to be best suited to his body type.

Sanseru --- 36 Hands
Sanseiru means thirty-six movements. It is taught at higher black belt levels. The number thirty-six is based on Buddhist mythology. The kata teaches complex punching combinations. This technique was passed down from China. Thirty-six representing 6x6, the first six being eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and spirit and the second six, color, voice, smell, taste, touch and justice. A more realistic explanation of this and the other numerically named Katas are that they refer to a systematic method and understanding of certain groupings of vital acupressure points. It is this science that the martial arts was based upon and developed.

Seipai --- 18 Hands
Seipai is one of four (Seipai, Kururunfa, Seisan, and Suparinpei) that are more subtle and contain more hidden moves. The true meaning of this kata becomes clear only when one learns the application of it (Bunkai.) In Seipai, and the three katas that follow, the applications are not immediately clear. Techniques were deliberately masked within these katas so that bystanders were not able fully comprehend the depth of the applications being practiced. Seipai incorporates both the four directional movements and 45° angular attacks. The most apparent and most meaningful in the naming of Seipai is again from the martial arts development and the use of attacking pressure points.

Kururunfa --- Maneuvers of Evasion
Kururunda contains more hidden moves. The true meaning of this kata becomes clear only when one learns the application of it (Bunkai.) Kururunfa epitomizes the ideals of Go-"hard and Ju-"soft". Stance transitions are quick and explosive while the hands techniques are employed using a heavy, sticky movement. As in the other kata of Goju-Ryu, it is quite evident that grappling and close-quartered fighting is the favored fighting style.

Seisan --- 13 Hands
Seisan contains more hidden moves. The true meaning of this kata becomes clear only when one learns the application of it (Bunkai.) Seisan means fighting hand and refers to life-protection techniques. Traditionally Goju-Ryu relies upon many techniques that involve grabbing and controlling an attacker while striking a vulnerable part of the body. Seisan is a perfect example of this principle. Seisan literally translates as "thirteen hands". It contains 8 defensive and 5 offensive techniques, both of which involve a change in direction. Seisan emphasis close range fighting using short punching and low kicking techniques to break through an opponent's defenses. Seisan is an extremely important Kata in Goju-Ryu and many hours should be given to it for practice. It has a wealth of knowledge and information contained within it.

Suparinpei --- 108 Hands
Suparinpei contains more hidden moves. The true meaning of this kata becomes clear only when one learns the application of it (Bunkai.) Suparinpei is the most advanced Kata in Goju-Ryu. It contains the greatest number of techniques and variations.

Counting
ichi	1
ni	2
san	3
shi	4
go	5
raku	6
shichi	7
hachi	8
kyu	9
ji	10