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Dale Parker
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Tensho Kata

When I was a teenager, and unfortunately that was decades ago, I saw a Japanese karate master perform Tensho in a circular manner. 

I currently practice the Shito-Ryu version of Tensho, in the past I've practiced the Kyokushin Kai, and Goju-Ryu versions, but none move the body in circles.

I've been looking through Tensho videos trying to find anything like the version I once saw and I'm not finding anything.  

So I'm asking this forum if anyone knows of or has seen a version on Tensho in which the body moves in circular motions from the hips as the hand techniques are done on the right, then on the left, then during both hands the body seems to pull in towards the center?

Thanks for your help.

PS...  I've also searched Rokishu, the form that Tensho is derived from.

Dale Parker
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</Cricket Sounds>

Ben Ryder
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What do you mean by circular manner? Embusen or wider arm movements? I practice Ryushan which is where Rokkishu comes from and we do the 'up, down, out, in' bits more fluidly but still quite closely linked to the core.

Dale Parker
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The body turns in circular movements, from the hips.  Not Embusen, not arm movements.

I've not heard of Ryushan I'll do some searches with that to see what I find.

harlan
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Hard to understand. Are you refering simply to the rotation of the body...as an example: when performing the first technique, when the right hand performs the upper outer 'block' - the rotation towards the right....followed by the right upper attack and the body rotates to the left? That basic movement?

Dale Parker
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Yes.

harlan
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Okay. We do it like that, but I don't know the history of it.

Gary Chamberlain
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Just an aside:

I remember watching Mas. Oyama do Tensho at Crystal Palace.  Tremendous energy and focus.  The ground shook.

But different.

Those of us who'd recently learnt it for black belt looked at each other and slowly shook our heads.  I mean, who was going to say "Great kata old chap, but you messed a few bits up"

Gary

Iain Abernethy
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Gary Chamberlain wrote:
Those of us who'd recently learnt it for black belt looked at each other and slowly shook our heads.  I mean, who was going to say "Great kata old chap, but you messed a few bits up"

LOL. Kata always has changed and evolved and I’m not a fan of “This version of the kata is perfection, but all other variations are fundamentally flawed” thinking. To me, it’s the things like intent, energy, focus, ability to apply, etc that make any kata good or otherwise. Minor technical nuances are a total irrelevance in comparison to the inalienable must-have qualities that conflict requires, and which therefore should also be present in good kata.

Nice post that Gary – Same we don’t have any footage of that particular performance (unless anyone knows different?). I did find this on YouTube though.

All the best,

Iain

Gary Chamberlain
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Great clip!  We were taught to bring the single arm moves just past the centre line and the double arm moves overlapped or came together. (If that makes sense)

But as you say we just watched in awe at the sheer power he produced.

I've said this to a lot of people and had a few strange looks, but I swear he had an energy to him I've not seen in anyone else.  When we were in the main dojo two floors up at Honbu we just KNEW when he came into the building.  The hairs literally stood up on my neck and sweat started to flow.

Strange to describe but a great memory.

Gary

Sorry if this diverted the thread.

Dale Parker
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Harlan, is there a video anywhere of how you do it?

harlan
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Nope.

Dale Parker wrote:

Harlan, is there a video anywhere of how you do it?