I always seem to come back to this video. There is so much here to digest. All of your videos are like that, you definitely show a different side of this kata that most people do not see teaching it. Thanks again for your major contribution to Okinawa karate and martial arts in general.
Good bunkai. Way better than 99% of all the bunkai videos on youtube which only show bullshido kabuki bunkai by people who have not understood the principles regarding fighting angles, force vectors and deflection which lead into tuite techniques and takedowns. I also like your interpretation of the nami ashi as a stop kick. Fits well to the hand techniques and makes totally sense. Good work.
I've been looking into Tuidi for over 10 years and i found lot's of good info on this video ,Some i see before and one or two i have not ,We are always learning , Great video Thank you .
Absolutely. Naihanchi is everything you need for a reasonably complete fighting art. This video does not do the kata justice and at best it only scratches the surface. Many Okinawan masters only knew one or two kata, in the shuri and tomari traditions this was most often Naihanchi.
@ekkenaab Tuite (more properly "tuidi") is the ancient Okinawan joint-locking art common to both Karate and Udundi (also called Ti). It is a subset of techniques within Okinawan martial arts. Tuidi in Uchinaguchi literally means "take hand" or "taking techniques". ("di" meaning both "hand" and "technique").
Thanks for the kind feedback you have been leaving on my videos. I enjoyed looking around your channel. I never practiced Isshin ryu but find it an interesting art.
Wow, your videos are very impressive. I am 29 years old and I just started training in martial arts. I chose to take small circle jujitsu. I chose this because It seemed like a practical self defense for the street, and at the same time just seemed to make sense to me. Your videos also make sense to me and I like the way you present the techniques. Even though our styles are very different, especially in the initial engagement of an attacker, many of the finishing locks are similar.
If you dont see the naihanchi moves in the bunkai . Look deeper. Bunkai is not supposed to follow.the embusen of the kata . But the moves are there . Differnet angels.
carlos garcia You are in good company in your thinking about Naihanchi. "[thinking] of Naihanchi, twisting to the left or twisting to the right will reveal the various meanings of each movement of the kata" -- Motobu Choki shinshii
This way of karate could better Kissaki Kai Karate. Look up Vince Morris bro. Give a look an if you like definitely share the advice because you understand something that many dont
I studied this style in In the Oyata Ryu Te For 2 years went back to my roots in Shorin Ryu - The 2 styles compliment each other well. Thank You For the reference!
I practice Shotokan karate for about 4 years and I started to get frustrated by the lack of connection between kihon and kata on one side and kumite on the other side, and also the complete ignorance of kata techniques which are not explained, are not applied and are practiced only as pointless forms without content. Your approach on techinques and that of Didier Lupo are a REVELATION for me. Too bad that karate is not often taught this way.
Respected sir,I am a passionate karateka from India and I had been studying the kata superfluously without having access to authentic bunkai teachings.I find your interpretations extremely effective.please continue posting more.can you please do a full bunkai of the kata seisan(shorin ryu)I would like to study under you I am longing for a master like you.hope someday I will cross paths with a master like you.please upload full bunkai of all pinan passai and other shorin ryu katas!its a request!!Huge respect sir!!!Vishnu sudheer
As to the antiquity of the kata, based on an analysis of the lineages it is preserved in it would appear that all versions ultimately originate in a version taught by Tudi Sakugawa. It is impossible to say much more. However, the general type of fighting show a relationship/resemblance to earlier methods as preserved in udundi, karamiti, and Okinawan dance and the like. So the -type- of fighting depicted in Naihanchi is quite old, even if the kata itself goes no farther back than Sakugawa.
I'm not sure which of us you mean (missing nap time) but I often answer comments in the morning before I've had any caffeine (which is admittedly a bad idea). To make matters worse my sense of humor doesn't translate to text very well. But in any event I'm glad you liked the content of the video.
Much of it does indeed come from Oyata shinshi, However Kuda Yuichi shinshi's tuidi was very similar to Oyata shinshi's tuidi. So it is hard for me to credit one without the other, as their methods shared so much in common. This overlap in theory and technique was especially pronounced in their approach to the Naihanchi kata
There are Okinawan versions which raise the leg, but the foot stays at or below knee level. So I am pretty sure it was included with a definite intention in mind and it seems to be designed to work with other elements in Naihanchi. It appears to be absent in all pre-Itosu / non-Itosu lineages. From that I infer it was added to the kata and was not part of the early versions. I have no idea who added it or at what point in history.
If effective was easy, their would be no need for training and the martial arts wouldn't exist. BTW fighting doesn't get simpler or more effective than the kick to the knee and forearm blow to the side of neck combination at 7:05. Keep in mind Naihanchi was created in the context of the Suigusuku personnel (as well as the Sui pechin more generally). Understanding this will shed light on the kata and the range of techniques passed down within Suidi lineages to present.
well, if i may give you an advice: read the book "Koshiki-Kata" written by Roland Habersetzer. in that book, when my memory doesn't fail me the Naihanchi Kata can be traced back to the 16th century to the chinese master Azon. in those days the kata was part of what later became Naha-Te (Goju-Ryu). But the lineage of Master Azon is now extincted. Later, it's not sure when, Naihanchi was intergrated into Shuri-Te and Tomari-Te and abandoned in Naha-Te. Reasons are unknown.
I'm not somebody who has different bunkai for different levels. Rather, in my opinion, intermediate to advanced bunkai involves deeper study of the techniques and principles. More refined targeting, variations, how the order helps understand how the pieces fit together (compound trapping etc). Finally studying how to use the pieces to form a coherent martial system (not just a bunch of waza). Join the Facebook group above. I have other Naihanchi videos like this one: /watch?v=UpNTwZyZZzI
3:02 I noticed you cross the legs. In some other practice this is Naihanchi kick. In wing Chun can be pak gerk slaping kick an Dung gerk for stomping but most importantly your using it for weight distribution an crossing those legs can prevent you from being picked up or strike with body weight
An example of the similarities would be the technique you were showing at about 3:00. Again not the initial engagement but the finishing lock,trapping the wrist and applying a type of wrist lock. You seem like a very good teacher, and I would love to know your name and where you teach out of. My sensei teaches very thorough like you. As a new student, I just wanted to share my thoughts and amazement that two styles that are so very different, can still share some similarities.
maybe he is thinking about the blocks in kata that end up strikes in the Bunkai. Some think what you see, is what you get in Kata. So to some a block is a block a kick is a kick, punch is a punch and double block is just a double block..But as we know techniques can be in reverse order to hide it from people you don't want knowing the tech
Thanks for your reply, i will look into the Facebook group and i am familiar with your other video (very good as well). Im a Goju Kai man, but have recently became obsessed with all things Naihanchi lol.. Im just trying to collect a logical progression for studying this deep and seemingly effective kata, thanks.
I'm always amused how it becomes your fault for being larger than your students. Some of us, myself included, are larger than my students, yet that doesn't inhibit teaching very legitimate technique & principles. I personally feel that having to learn to tone down the assumed strength and focus more toward proper execution of principles and good technique has improved me as a martial artist exponentially in addition to being a better teacher.
My apologies, my only knowledge of tuite comes from the mention of Taika Oyata. Truth is truth no matter where it comes from,and great minds must think alike to come to similar methods. Thank you very much.
Yeah, I understand. Sorry that I can't provide a better outline. 500 characters limits replies to a ridiculous extent. Pose the question in the Naihanchi study group. Hope you have a high tolerance for information-overload as there are many highly experienced and knowledgeable people with slightly different takes on most subjects. ;-)
I´d like to hear your opinion on this. The second techique i the kata, when you step out into kiba dachi, we do two things in Shotokan. Some instructors teach a simple lift of the right knee, while others hold the right leg straight, and move it out in a sort of round kick/stomp - up and down. Similiar to what sumo wrestlers to to enter shiko dachi. This is the one I prefer. But do they have a purpose?
Mr. Parker, You mentioned in the description mid-level training, is there any place a man can find an outline of the different levels and their bunkai for the whole of Naihanchi ? Great video and thanks for your channel.
IMHO, Naihanchi is an extremely efficient close range fighting system. Introducing elements which do not fit within that paradigm should be strictly avoided. IMHO any techniques which raises the foot higher than knee level does not fit with the other techniques. Obviously lifting the leg shoulder or head high (as many do in shotokan) does not work with the other techniques. A knee strike to the legs, groin, or lower torso can be added to most tuidi techniques to make them even nastier.
Hmm, interesting question... how does one practice the moves without a training partner... Seems like the sort of problem that martial artists of previous generations would have tried to crack... Oh yeah, they did crack it... Kata training ;-)
I know the "captain obvious" comment was meant to be sarcastic, but I love it anyway... because the original question's answer is fairly obvious if considered for a moment... and it also aludes to the answer of another frequent question about Ryukyu martial arts... Namely, what is the point/purpose of kata.
He did not say don't practice it with a partner. He merely answered your question. You were the one who asked how do you practice the bunkai without a partner. Obviously, the best answer would be to practice with a partner, but if can't then the kata will at least point the way. Like a boxer who shadow boxes if he's training alone. Another way is to practice with a wooden dummy. My twin brother Hubert developed his technique practicing with a mere post. He eventually used his techniques in actual sparring. So don't be a wise ass. Ryan Parker was kind enough to answer your question. The least you can do is not be sarcastic. Anyway kata training may not be your cup of tea. Doesn't mean it is useless (well it is if you don't know how to use it for training).
Actually I have no earthly idea what you mean. I've done the kata nearly every day for the last 30 years and so think I have a rough idea how the hand movements are done. In virtually every case I think it is self-evident that the hand movements are the same. If you are speaking of footwork I would hope you understand that kata footwork is abstract *at best* given that fights never follow geometric stepping patterns. If the bunkai “looks nothing like” the kata; it is not good bunkai IMHO.
I am working towards that... It will cover a bunch of other stuff related to Ryukyu MA too, like muchimi, touch-sensitivity drills, iron-body training, makiwara training etc.
Interesting. But the difference here is - there is a leg technique there in Shotokan. But obviously not in your version. Is it just added there later. Or does it have some more planned purpose.
How far back can the kata be traced anyway? I mean, even the version Itosu did, was a stylized and refined one right? I wonder who made the decision of selecting the actual ammount of techniques and directions. And who gave it the form it now has. Because these techniques look nothing like the kata, when you use it in bunkai. Not saying anything bad about the bunkai, its great! - but you know what I mean,
Thomas wegman, I guess you would know better right? Some techniques uses two arms to control the internal muscleture and nerve points to lock it in place. Even Brazilian jiujitsu techniques do this. when you do an armbar or kimura, don't you use two arms to control just one arm? Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it is not the real technique. Just proves you are a moron.
Coming back to these videos from time to time feels like a breath of fresh air 😊
I always seem to come back to this video. There is so much here to digest. All of your videos are like that, you definitely show a different side of this kata that most people do not see teaching it. Thanks again for your major contribution to Okinawa karate and martial arts in general.
Probably one of the best practitioners of Okinawan Karate I have ever seen on U-Tube, or anywhere else for that matter.
Good bunkai. Way better than 99% of all the bunkai videos on youtube which only show bullshido kabuki bunkai by people who have not understood the principles regarding fighting angles, force vectors and deflection which lead into tuite techniques and takedowns. I also like your interpretation of the nami ashi as a stop kick. Fits well to the hand techniques and makes totally sense. Good work.
I've been looking into Tuidi for over 10 years and i found lot's of good info on this video ,Some i see before and one or two i have not ,We are always learning , Great video Thank you .
Absolutely. Naihanchi is everything you need for a reasonably complete fighting art. This video does not do the kata justice and at best it only scratches the surface. Many Okinawan masters only knew one or two kata, in the shuri and tomari traditions this was most often Naihanchi.
@ekkenaab
Tuite (more properly "tuidi") is the ancient Okinawan joint-locking art common to both Karate and Udundi (also called Ti). It is a subset of techniques within Okinawan martial arts. Tuidi in Uchinaguchi literally means "take hand" or "taking techniques". ("di" meaning both "hand" and "technique").
Thanks for the kind feedback you have been leaving on my videos. I enjoyed looking around your channel. I never practiced Isshin ryu but find it an interesting art.
Wow, your videos are very impressive. I am 29 years old and I just started training in martial arts. I chose to take small circle jujitsu. I chose this because It seemed like a practical self defense for the street, and at the same time just seemed to make sense to me. Your videos also make sense to me and I like the way you present the techniques. Even though our styles are very different, especially in the initial engagement of an attacker, many of the finishing locks are similar.
If you dont see the naihanchi moves in the bunkai . Look deeper. Bunkai is not supposed to follow.the embusen of the kata . But the moves are there . Differnet angels.
carlos garcia You are in good company in your thinking about Naihanchi. "[thinking] of Naihanchi, twisting to the left or twisting to the right will reveal the various meanings of each movement of the kata" -- Motobu Choki shinshii
This way of karate could better Kissaki Kai Karate. Look up Vince Morris bro. Give a look an if you like definitely share the advice because you understand something that many dont
I studied this style in In the Oyata Ryu Te For 2 years went back to my roots in Shorin Ryu - The 2 styles compliment each other well. Thank You For the reference!
Great transformation of Kata into application makes the difference, thanks for sharing!!!
PS, be careful with the Naihanchi obsession. I caught it nearly 30 years ago and haven't been able to shake it yet.
Ryan Parker hmm I have that too lol
Love Naihanchi and Sanchin😂
I practice Shotokan karate for about 4 years and I started to get frustrated by the lack of connection between kihon and kata on one side and kumite on the other side, and also the complete ignorance of kata techniques which are not explained, are not applied and are practiced only as pointless forms without content.
Your approach on techinques and that of Didier Lupo are a REVELATION for me. Too bad that karate is not often taught this way.
This was similar to our Naihanchi shodan. In our school it is introduced at white belt. Good video none the less!
Respected sir,I am a passionate karateka from India and I had been studying the kata superfluously without having access to authentic bunkai teachings.I find your interpretations extremely effective.please continue posting more.can you please do a full bunkai of the kata seisan(shorin ryu)I would like to study under you I am longing for a master like you.hope someday I will cross paths with a master like you.please upload full bunkai of all pinan passai and other shorin ryu katas!its a request!!Huge respect sir!!!Vishnu sudheer
As to the antiquity of the kata, based on an analysis of the lineages it is preserved in it would appear that all versions ultimately originate in a version taught by Tudi Sakugawa. It is impossible to say much more. However, the general type of fighting show a relationship/resemblance to earlier methods as preserved in udundi, karamiti, and Okinawan dance and the like. So the -type- of fighting depicted in Naihanchi is quite old, even if the kata itself goes no farther back than Sakugawa.
Mr. Parker,
Just have to say...AMAZING!!! Thank you for everything you post. Liam
I'm not sure which of us you mean (missing nap time) but I often answer comments in the morning before I've had any caffeine (which is admittedly a bad idea). To make matters worse my sense of humor doesn't translate to text very well. But in any event I'm glad you liked the content of the video.
Much of it does indeed come from Oyata shinshi, However Kuda Yuichi shinshi's tuidi was very similar to Oyata shinshi's tuidi. So it is hard for me to credit one without the other, as their methods shared so much in common. This overlap in theory and technique was especially pronounced in their approach to the Naihanchi kata
There are Okinawan versions which raise the leg, but the foot stays at or below knee level. So I am pretty sure it was included with a definite intention in mind and it seems to be designed to work with other elements in Naihanchi. It appears to be absent in all pre-Itosu / non-Itosu lineages. From that I infer it was added to the kata and was not part of the early versions. I have no idea who added it or at what point in history.
If effective was easy, their would be no need for training and the martial arts wouldn't exist. BTW fighting doesn't get simpler or more effective than the kick to the knee and forearm blow to the side of neck combination at 7:05. Keep in mind Naihanchi was created in the context of the Suigusuku personnel (as well as the Sui pechin more generally). Understanding this will shed light on the kata and the range of techniques passed down within Suidi lineages to present.
well, if i may give you an advice: read the book "Koshiki-Kata" written by Roland Habersetzer. in that book, when my memory doesn't fail me the Naihanchi Kata can be traced back to the 16th century to the chinese master Azon. in those days the kata was part of what later became Naha-Te (Goju-Ryu). But the lineage of Master Azon is now extincted. Later, it's not sure when, Naihanchi was intergrated into Shuri-Te and Tomari-Te and abandoned in Naha-Te. Reasons are unknown.
I'm not somebody who has different bunkai for different levels. Rather, in my opinion, intermediate to advanced bunkai involves deeper study of the techniques and principles. More refined targeting, variations, how the order helps understand how the pieces fit together (compound trapping etc). Finally studying how to use the pieces to form a coherent martial system (not just a bunch of waza). Join the Facebook group above. I have other Naihanchi videos like this one: /watch?v=UpNTwZyZZzI
studied Ryu Te when it was called RyuKyu Kempo. for 4 yrs Being disabled Niahanchi Kata are easily tranlated to disabled study
Great training vid.
Thanks for loading!
MechanicalMartialArtist I agree!!
3:02 I noticed you cross the legs. In some other practice this is Naihanchi kick. In wing Chun can be pak gerk slaping kick an Dung gerk for stomping but most importantly your using it for weight distribution an crossing those legs can prevent you from being picked up or strike with body weight
you might want to look into the RyuKyu Kempo Alliance or from RyuTe to find more of this style of teaching.
An example of the similarities would be the technique you were showing at about 3:00. Again not the initial engagement but the finishing lock,trapping the wrist and applying a type of wrist lock. You seem like a very good teacher, and I would love to know your name and where you teach out of. My sensei teaches very thorough like you. As a new student, I just wanted to share my thoughts and amazement that two styles that are so very different, can still share some similarities.
maybe he is thinking about the blocks in kata that end up strikes in the Bunkai. Some think what you see, is what you get in Kata. So to some a block is a block a kick is a kick, punch is a punch and double block is just a double block..But as we know techniques can be in reverse order to hide it from people you don't want knowing the tech
Thanks for your reply, i will look into the Facebook group and i am familiar with your other video (very good as well). Im a Goju Kai man, but have recently became obsessed with all things Naihanchi lol..
Im just trying to collect a logical progression for studying this deep and seemingly effective kata, thanks.
Superb as usual.
Great series of Bunkai. Thnaks for sharing.
I'm always amused how it becomes your fault for being larger than your students. Some of us, myself included, are larger than my students, yet that doesn't inhibit teaching very legitimate technique & principles. I personally feel that having to learn to tone down the assumed strength and focus more toward proper execution of principles and good technique has improved me as a martial artist exponentially in addition to being a better teacher.
My apologies, my only knowledge of tuite comes from the mention of Taika Oyata. Truth is truth no matter where it comes from,and great minds must think alike to come to similar methods. Thank you very much.
Excellent as always
Yeah, I understand. Sorry that I can't provide a better outline. 500 characters limits replies to a ridiculous extent. Pose the question in the Naihanchi study group. Hope you have a high tolerance for information-overload as there are many highly experienced and knowledgeable people with slightly different takes on most subjects. ;-)
My guess, would from reading his background in Te, this comes from Taika Seiyu Oyata
I´d like to hear your opinion on this. The second techique i the kata, when you step out into kiba dachi, we do two things in Shotokan. Some instructors teach a simple lift of the right knee, while others hold the right leg straight, and move it out in a sort of round kick/stomp - up and down. Similiar to what sumo wrestlers to to enter shiko dachi. This is the one I prefer. But do they have a purpose?
Mr. Parker,
You mentioned in the description mid-level training, is there any place a man can find an outline of the different levels and their bunkai for the whole of Naihanchi ?
Great video and thanks for your channel.
Reminds me of Chul Ki Il, Ee, and Sahm Dahm. I'm not sure of the history. I think the Chul Ki's are Korean but I'm not a 100% sure.
IMHO, Naihanchi is an extremely efficient close range fighting system. Introducing elements which do not fit within that paradigm should be strictly avoided. IMHO any techniques which raises the foot higher than knee level does not fit with the other techniques. Obviously lifting the leg shoulder or head high (as many do in shotokan) does not work with the other techniques. A knee strike to the legs, groin, or lower torso can be added to most tuidi techniques to make them even nastier.
Nice but difficult. Really deadly and effective things are easy.
Great job Sir. I am amazed on how many applications we ca do just using Naihanchi. Where did you learn all this bunkai if I may ask?
The moves are great and all but how am I supposed to learn to be as badass as this guy with no training partner?
Hmm, interesting question... how does one practice the moves without a training partner... Seems like the sort of problem that martial artists of previous generations would have tried to crack... Oh yeah, they did crack it... Kata training ;-)
Ryan Parker THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!
I know the "captain obvious" comment was meant to be sarcastic, but I love it anyway... because the original question's answer is fairly obvious if considered for a moment... and it also aludes to the answer of another frequent question about Ryukyu martial arts... Namely, what is the point/purpose of kata.
+Ryan Parker Practice only by yourself and let me know how effective it is as opposed to having partners then get back to me in another two years.
He did not say don't practice it with a partner. He merely answered your question. You were the one who asked how do you practice the bunkai without a partner. Obviously, the best answer would be to practice with a partner, but if can't then the kata will at least point the way. Like a boxer who shadow boxes if he's training alone. Another way is to practice with a wooden dummy. My twin brother Hubert developed his technique practicing with a mere post. He eventually used his techniques in actual sparring. So don't be a wise ass. Ryan Parker was kind enough to answer your question. The least you can do is not be sarcastic. Anyway kata training may not be your cup of tea. Doesn't mean it is useless (well it is if you don't know how to use it for training).
Actually I have no earthly idea what you mean. I've done the kata nearly every day for the last 30 years and so think I have a rough idea how the hand movements are done. In virtually every case I think it is self-evident that the hand movements are the same. If you are speaking of footwork I would hope you understand that kata footwork is abstract *at best* given that fights never follow geometric stepping patterns. If the bunkai “looks nothing like” the kata; it is not good bunkai IMHO.
Thank you for sharing!
This stuff is amazing! Do you ever plan on writing a book for this kata bunkai in full?I would enjoy reading it immensely!
I am working towards that... It will cover a bunch of other stuff related to Ryukyu MA too, like muchimi, touch-sensitivity drills, iron-body training, makiwara training etc.
+Ryan Parker Wow, nice. thanks for replying on such short notice.
Thanks again, have a good one.
Interesting. But the difference here is - there is a leg technique there in Shotokan. But obviously not in your version. Is it just added there later. Or does it have some more planned purpose.
Very good. Who is the teacher ?
How far back can the kata be traced anyway? I mean, even the version Itosu did, was a stylized and refined one right? I wonder who made the decision of selecting the actual ammount of techniques and directions. And who gave it the form it now has. Because these techniques look nothing like the kata, when you use it in bunkai. Not saying anything bad about the bunkai, its great! - but you know what I mean,
two hands 2 control one arm :) aye this is karate gym dancing...pretty funny ty gys
Actually the tuidi controls two arms, very effectively at that..
Thomas wegman, I guess you would know better right? Some techniques uses two arms to control the internal muscleture and nerve points to lock it in place. Even Brazilian jiujitsu techniques do this. when you do an armbar or kimura, don't you use two arms to control just one arm? Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it is not the real technique. Just proves you are a moron.
If i may ask, who taught you?
exelent