| Seisan | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Sesan, Seishan, Sei-Shan, Jusan,Hangetsu |
| Martial art | Karate,Uechi-Ryū,Tang Soo Do |
| Place of origin | Okinawa,Ryukyu Kingdom |
ThekaratekataSeisan (十三) (alternate namesSesan,Seishan,Jusan,Hangetsu) literally means '13'. Some people refer to thekata 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 oldestkata, being quite spread among other Nahate schools. Shito-Ryū has its own version similar toSanchin and different versions are now practiced even inShuri-te derivatives like Shotokan (calledHangetsu) and in Wado-Ryū (calledSeishan).Isshin-ryū also adopted thiskata. KoreanTang Soo Do adopted it, and it is called either by its original nameSei-Shan orSeishan, or byBan Wol which is the Korean translation ofHangetsu ("half moon"). Due to its difficulty, thiskata is often reserved for advanced Tang Soo Do students.[1]
The following styles have made thiskata a formal part of their curriculum.
There are numerous theories regarding the name of thekata. These include the number of steps originally in thekata, the number of different types of 'power' or 'energy' in thekata, the number of applications, or that thekata represents defense against 13 specific types of attack. None of these explanations have actual historical support. While it is believedSeisan derives from Yong ChunWhite Crane Boxing fromFujian 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, thekata would derive from the Chinese form 三戰十字 San Zhan Shizi.[2]
Versions ofSeisan 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 ofShuri,Naha andTomari respectively.
This is the second of the threekata ofPangai-noon learned and then taught by Kanbun Uechi. It has obvious foundations inSanchin, relying primarily on the "Sanchin stance" orsanchin dachi (三戦立ち) and opening as does Uechi-RyūSanchin for three strikes then later returning to these strikes near the end of thekata. Compared with other versions of thekata, Uechi-Ryū's is very different. Thekata introduces some of the basic techniques such as knee strikes, the one-knuckle punchshōken zuki (小拳突き), spearhandnukite (貫手突き), and the front kickshōmen geri (正面蹴り) which were then incorporated in the "bridging"kata created by Kanbun Uechi's son and senior students betweenSanchin andSeisan. In modern Uechi-Ryū, it is the fifthkata learned and the one tested for the first "black belt" orshodan (初段) grade.
Isshin-Ryū traditionally teaches thiskata 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 thekata 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 thekata 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 complementSeiunchin. Although rooted in the same form, significant differences can be seen in the Goju version compared to the other versions mentioned above.
The version of Seisan taught in the Seibukan Shorin-Ryū syllabus can be traced back toSōkon 'Bushi' Matsumura (a highly influential teacher to Shorin styles, hence the name Matsumura-no-Seisan). The form predominantly features the stanceShiko-Dachi (common inTomari-te kata) accompanying a block which often sets up a powerful pivot and punch intoZenkutsu-dachi. This form introduces many recurring concepts used in higher level Seibukan Shorin-Ryu kata.
Very closely resembling the Seibukan Shorin-Ryū Seisan from the same lineage the Okinawa Seidokan system traditionally teaches Matsumura-no-Seisan as the first kata in their curriculum. Though not considered a basic kata, the Okinawa Seidokan version is foundational in teachingkoshi (trunkial twist power) from a beginners onset. The use of theshiko dachi (四股立),zenkutsu dachi (前屈立), andneko-ashi dachi (猫足立) serve to build up the legs of the practitioner for low travel and centered transitioning. Traditionally the regular performance is performed to a regular counting cadence maintaining the same tempo throughout thekata. However, Okinawa Seidokan also teaches a slowed down version where every count performs breathing similar to Goju-Ryū's Sanchinkata where breathing in and out is timed upon every outward movement. This slower version is called 'Seisan Breath' and taught to higher level students to develop internal martial arts. This kata is considered a gateway kata to understanding applications of many Shorin-Ryūkata following in the system.
Hangetsu contains many slow movements under tension, popular in Naha-te schools such as Goju-Ryū, but rare in Shotokan and Shuri-te influenced styles making thekata quite unique. Funakoshi was taught by Sokon Matsumura (Shuri-te), Kodatsu Iha (a student ofKosaku Matsumora of Tomari-te) andSeisho Aragaki (associated with Goju-Ryū) all of which had knowledge of a version of Seisan. Funakoshi's could have taken the best from these contrasting styles synthesising them into Hangetsu, which possibly explains why the form is so different from other kata in the Shotokan canon.
Another more obscure version of thiskata known as Aragaki-no-Seisan, bears the closest surface resemblance to theShotokankata Hangetsu. The Shotokan version was probably renamed when Gichin Funakoshi formed his school inJapan. Hangetsu translates to 'Half Moon' or 'Half Month' a reference to the half-moon stance used extensively and the semi-circular stepping actions in thiskata. The name Seisan could have been a reference to the 13-day cycle of the Moon's phases, and knowing this Funakoshi named thekata 'Half Moon/Month'. A more obscure and unlikely theory is that thekata was taken from a Chinese folk dance where the performer is explaining the importance of the tides as they cycle on 13-day intervals as the Moon revolves around the Earth.
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