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Mark B
Mark B's picture
Ben Ryder seminar-16th November 2013

Ben Ryder(Koryu Uchinadi) will teaching the defensive application of Aragaki Seisan in Halifax on 16th November 2013.

Knowledge of this particular version of the kata is not essential and Ben will be exploring the similarities with Seishan/Hangetsu.

This seminar is co- hosted by Andy Chapman (Shoshin Jissen Shotokan Karate) and me (Jiko Kaizen Karate Jutsu) and will be held at my dojo. The venue address is- Serbian Orthodox church, Heap street, Boothtown, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6JE

The session will cost £15 per person, £25 for two people. Payment in advance will reserve your place. To reserve your place please contact me via e-mail at markbonner1@hotmail.co.uk

I've trained with Ben before and can say that he is top drawer, this will be an excellent seminar.

 http://youtu.be/cF7lanAUWzA

All the best

Mark

Ben Ryder
Ben Ryder's picture

I’m really looking forward to this event.

I thought I would give some background to the course content….

The earliest record of Seisan is from a performance of it by Aragaki Seisho in March of 1867 demonstration at the East Garden Plaza of The Great Castle at Shuri by Aragaki Seisho (1840-1920) and witnessed by Higaonna Kanryo who became a student of Aragaki for around three years after this.

The similarity of templates found in the plethora of modern versions of Seisan (aka Hangetsu) indicate that there is a common source kata, though given the ambiguity that has surrounded the history of karate it is doubtful that this source will ever be precisely traced. There is belief that Seisan was the fundamental form taught in Naha, Shuri and Tomari in the pre-Miyagi era, and it forms the basis from which coms Goju Seisan, Uechi Seisan, Shorin Seisan, Shotokan Hangetsu, Shito-ryu Seisan and Wado Ryu Seishan. The templates demonstrate Tiger, Monk, Lion and Southern Preying Mantis movement and technique, showing strong links to the Fujian region of China which has been greatly influential on the development of Okinawan karate.

Aragaki Seisan was included in the syllabus of Koryu Uchinadi by Patrick McCarthy who learnt it from Richard Kim in the 1970s, but is also influenced by instruction in the kata by Yagi Meitoku, Miyazato Eiichi, Kinjo Hiroishi, Sakagami Ryusho and Teruo Chinen. The form uses the classical ‘step and slide’ footwork of Fujian-based Quanfa and vibrant hip rotation, as well as the opening of the hands in the opening section as preferred in the original Chinese version according to testimony by Kyan Chotoku and Miyagi Chojun.

The course will cover 13 defensive templates and how they relate to habitual violence. Continuing the Okinawan influence we can then find a pub and talk shop.

Just to give a little background on me, I am a direct student of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy, who has issued me with a 3rd dan in Koryu Uchinadi and a Shidoin teaching licence having completed his instructor training programme. I have been involved in martial arts since childhood and my interest in pragmatic training started after a course with Iain in 2002. As well as the traditional martial arts I have a background in RBSD, teaching self defence to the police and NHS staff professionally for two years, I worked ‘the doors’ in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for five years, and have 5-6 years front line police experience.

shoshinkanuk
shoshinkanuk's picture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CItqMU-4brs

Theres strong elements of seisan in the above form, it's the closest I have found to a Chinese Seisan, granted it's not that close.

But the name, the region and several 'signiture' moves are of interest.

Just thought it may be of interest if members havent seen this.

Good luck with the seminar etc guys, it sounds very good indeed.

Ben Ryder
Ben Ryder's picture

Thats a video of Martin Watts I havent seen before...I remember watching him for the first time and just seeing the links between karate and white crane. I spent a good evening with him and Hanshi over sushi in Munich a few years back and then we got so drunk we missed the last train to the airport (still ahvent touched stein since!) and then slept on benches in the underground station....happy days lol

shoshinkanuk
shoshinkanuk's picture

A very 'traditional' evening, good work.

Martins ace in all respects IMO, I only met him a few times and never trained with him but several Goju/Uechi Ryu friends have.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Hi All,

I’d like to add my support to this event. I know Ben to be the kind of no-nonsense, open-minded, extreemly able, pragmatist that we really like around here. Definitely one to attend!

All the best,

Iain

Ben Ryder
Ben Ryder's picture

Thanks Iain, that means a lot to me.

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi all,

Just a quick reminder that Ben will be sharing the Koryu Uchinadi approach to Aragaki Seisan at my dojo on 16th November. 

Knowledge of the Aragaki version is not necessary, I don't practice that  version myself.  

There has been a good deal of interest in the session so if anyone from this forum feels like attending I would appreciate your contacting me via my email address to confirm your place(s)

All the best

Mark