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dhogsette
dhogsette's picture
Gojushiho Opening Moves

I was invited to give a martial arts demonstration at the Chinese New Year celebration at the college where I teach. It was a 20-min demo in which I discussed basic history of Okinawan karate, influences from Chinese martial arts, and purpose/function of kata. I performed the Matsubayashi version of Gojushiho and then discussed some possible applications for four different portions of the kata. In this short video, I discuss the opening movements. Hope you enjoy. (Note, this was a demo and not an instructional context.)

Best,

David

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Nice David. I don't practice the Gojushiho kata, however the Morote Uke is such a common motion, one of my favourite, what I consider most useful motions in karate for close quarters. Thanks for sharing Regards Mark

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

Mark, thanks so much. I agree, such a versatile and effective technique. Unfortunately in my system, students don't see it until the Naihanchi katas, after two basic forms and then the Pinans. I guess it's all things in their own time. Lol. Best, David

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

Our version of Gojushiho opens a bit differently, so it doesn't quite fit your application, but we certainly use that movement a lot, since Naihanchi is our core kata. Thanks for sharing!

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

Thank you, sir! When I first learned Naihanchi decades ago, I thought it was so bizarre, strange, and (gasp!) unpractical. Not until I discovered the practical karate/martial arts tribe did Naihanchi and so many other kata start to make complete sense! Now, Naihanchi is fast becoming my favorite kata.

Best,

David  

Mark B
Mark B's picture

https://youtu.be/lCTaKGwIurQ

https://youtu.be/_EYJ1kpjLig

https://youtu.be/opZIwcllmnQ

Hi David

I don't practice the Pinans anymore but I think if I  remember right Godan teaches the Morote Uke. Here are a couple of clips which include some alternative options for the Morote Uke. 

Regards 

Mark

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

Thank you, Mark, for these vids. Yes, Pinan Yondan has that back fist, and I teach it as a dropping elbow strike, similar to your Chinto application. Nice vids and applications. Thanks for sharing!! Best, David 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Great video David! I really appreciate you sharing that. A fantastic addition to the collective knowledge pool.

To make my own supplementary contribution to the thread, here is a video on the opening moves of the form (Shotokan Version) and one way of drilling the bunkai of the wider kata:

There’s also this bit that cover the nukite section in more depth:

One thing I really like in your version of the kata is the “drunken lean” following the turning crank. If we raise the leg like that, such that it goes between the enemy’s legs and prevents them stepping around with the back leg to reduce the pressure of the crank, then we can drop them at that point by removing the chance to counter … still good to have the follow ups that the kata shows just in case though :-)

Great video David!

All the best,

Iain

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

Iain,

Thanks so much for these videos. These have been helpful in giving me ideas for working through other elements of the form, but my biggest question has still been how to apply the drunken lean... Thanks for clarifying that in your response!! 

Best,

David

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

dhogsette wrote:
but my biggest question has still been how to apply the drunken lean... Thanks for clarifying that in your response!!

I’m pleased that helped! I wasn’t sure if the description was clear enough (always hard to get these things across is words).

All the best,

Iain