SEIYO NO SHORIN-RYU KARATE KOBUDO KAI

Bunkai - the practice of Martial Arts Applications.

Bunkai is the heart and soul of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo.

Shihan Todd Stonehouse demonstrates Ude Garuma Nage

Bunkai from Pinan Nidan Kata on Sensei Glenn Polk

 

TAIKYOKU (KIHON) SANDAN BUNKAI

All techniques should be practiced as mini-kata (shadow boxing), both from the left (hadari) and right (migi) sides. When working with a partner (uke), the applications should be done from relaxed stance (yoi dachi) as well as from a ready stance (kumite dachi). Unless otherwise stated, assume the attack is with right(R) zuki (punch). (A) = Attack, (D)=Defense.

 

(1) Practice the entire kata in the dojo and also by yourself. When practicing kata, run through the entire kata twice using slow, but precise movement concentrating on the focus and snap of all techniques. Think about the strikes and kicks – are they focused enough that they would knock down an attacker? The third time that you run through the kata, do they techniques faster (but not so fast that the techniques get sloppy). Now go through the kata a 4th time. This time, think of the kata as shadow boxing. Imagine an attacker for each technique.

 

(2) In the dojo, your instructor will run through the kata with you. Next your Sensei will practice the kata with bunkai. Start the kata, and as you reach the point of the first bunkai – stop! Grab a uke (partner) and run through the bunkai as Ippon Kumite (one step sparring). To build symmetry, practice bunkai first as a defense against a right (R)-punch, and then against a left (L) punch. Your uke should also attack from a front stance (zenkutsu dachi) and also from a relaxed stance (yoi dachi). As the defender, you should practice the techniques from a relaxed stance (yoi dachi) and then from a ready stance (kumite dachi).

 

After you practice the first bunkai, your Sensei will start the kata again, and take you to the next bunkai waza and stop to practice Waza 2 – you should proceed this way until all bunkai are covered. At that point, your Sensei may decide to run through each bunkai one after another, or add something else. After the bunkai session is over, you should run through the kata one more time and visualize each waza, You can also practice each bunkai by yourself, as a mini kata, but visualize the attack.

 

In the following bunkai (unless otherwise stated), tori (the term used for the attacking uke) will begin the attack with a (R) oi-tsuki punch. You (uke) will practice each bunkai waza with focus and speed. The purpose of the bunkai is to to develop focus, hip rotation, timing, and self-confidence.

 

As an example, in the first bunkai below (TS1). Tori will start in left front stance and then attack (A) by moving forward with a low punch to the stomach while stepping forward to a right stance with right oi-tsuki. Uke will step out of the way of the punch at 45o from attacker in a left front stance and defend (D) using a left downward block and follow up with a right opposite (gyaku tsuki) hand punch to the ribs or chin.

 

 

*TS1(down block). (D) Down-block (gedan barai), opposite hand punch (gyaku tsuki).

*TS2 (down-in block). (A) R front kick (mae geri) followed by R punch (oi-tsuki). (D) L down block, L inward block (uchi uke), opposite hand punch (gyaku zuki).

*TS3 (outblock). (D) Outward block (ude uke), opposite hand punch (gyaku tsuki).

*TS4 (Inward block). Inward block, opposite hand punch (gyaku tsuki).

*TS5 (High block). High block (jodan uke), opposite hand punch (gyaku tsuki).

*TS6 (short -punch). Down block, gyaku zuki (while shifting from normal front stance to short front stance).

*TS7 (oi-tsuki). L- High block, R- oi-zuki (as attacker attempts to move away)

*TS8 (roundhouse). Step back w/L foot & L inward block, L- roundhouse kick (maewashi geri), R- gyaku tsuki.

 

As a final note, this kata and all of the bunkai are show on our Kihon DVD that is available from either Soke Hausel or from Dai-Shihan Andy Finley (see www.seiyo-shorinryu.org).

 

*PS1 (Wrist Escape) (A) Same side wrist grab (L-hand grab of uke’s R-wrist). (D) Start from R-front stance (zenkutsu dachi). Slide (pull) your R-foot back towards your L-foot while pulling your R-arm rapidly back striking yourself in the lower chest (this should allow you to escape tori’s grab). Finish by sliding your R-foot back into zenkutsu dachi while striking tori in the temple with a R-outward back fist (migi uraken uchi).

(A) Crosswrist grab (R-hand grab of R-wrist). (D) use CW rotation of hand to escape grab and finish with back fist strike.

*PS2(High Block).(A) R-TOH strike (D) L-open hand high block (step R at 45o angle from tori’s attack). Grab tori’s R-wrist with your blocking hand & pull tori into a R-inward elbow strike (migi empi uchi).

*PS3(High Block).(A) R-TOH strike (D) L-high block (hadari jodan uke). R-forearm strike into interior of tori’s elbow continuing to a figure-4 forearm lock. Finish with arm bar takedown (ude garuma) (must have 20o bend in uke’s elbow!). Take tori down by pivoting on R-foot, swinging L-foot CCW.

*PS4(High Block).(A) R-TOH (D) L-High block (move in on tori) stepping to his R-side. Use a two-handed armbar takedown. Be careful as this can place a lot of stress on the backbone.

*PS5(Shuto).(D) Shuto block and grab tori’s wrist (L-back stance). Finish with L-front kick (mae geri) using lead foot.

 

*PN1 (high block-punch).

(A) R-TOH. (D) L-High block (jodan uke)+R-short punch. The strike and block should occur at the same exact time. Now, coil (wrap) your blocking arm around tori’s R-arm in CCW motion while placing your right hand on tori’s R-shoulder & grab your R-forearm with your L-hand (figure-4 arm bar lock). Your R-hand should be in contact with tori’s shoulder as demonstrated in the photo by Sensei Kyle Linton (below). Finish the throw using a shoulder winding throw (maki komi) and pivot on your R-foot sweeping your L-leg CCW to develop angular momentum.

 

 

*PN1a (A) R-rising punch (age tsuki) followed by L-gyaku tsuki (opposite hand punch).(D) L-high block+L-palm block (to block both strikes) then finish attacker with R-gyaku tsuki.

 

*PN2 (entrapment). (A) R-tsuki. (D) Entrapment block (above L photo). Grab tori’s striking arm while striking neck with forearm strike & finish with one of the following throws. (1) Follow up the L-forearm strike (in L-stance) by grabbing tori’s hair (w/L) and pulling him to the ground (see photo below). If he/she does not have long hair, reach all the way around the back of tori’s head to grab chin & throw with maki komi (head winding throw) by rotating the chin (head) CCW.

                           

 

 

Shihan-Dai Kevin Vance demonstrates waza PN1 on Sensei Jeff Schroeder.

 

(2) If defending with/R-forearm strike (in R-stance), finish with R-foot sweep while unbalancing tori with a R-grab to the throat (R-photo above), or

(3) finish with R-outward elbow strike to head, wrap R-arm around back of head bringing wrist into jugular, and choke (in a headlock).

 

*PN3 (side kick). (A) Oi tsuki (step punch).(D) Yoko geri keage (side snap kick) tori in ribs to stop strike) (the leg is longer than the arm).

 

*PN4 (knife hand). (A) R-Oi tsuki (step punch). (D) L-palm hand block (teisho uke) with simultaneous knife-hand strike (nuki-te) to neck.

 

*PN4a (A) R-L tsuki. (D) L-outblock; L-palm block w/R- knife hand strike (same as PN4 but adding defense against two strikes).

 

*PN5 (rotational block). (A) Front kick (mae geri).(D) rotational block (should be able to spin your attacker with this block), gyaku zuki.

 

PN6 (block-punch).(A) R-punch.(D) L-Block/punch and follow with 2-handed (CCW) neck throw (maki komi).

 

*PN7 (High Block) (A) TOH (D) L-high open hand block w/simultaneous R-inward elbow strike, reverse stance w/R-wrist grab + L-triceps press takedown. Place knee on tori’s shoulder.

 

PINAN SANDAN BUNKAI

This is one of the more misunderstood kata as far as applications. Many of the traditional applications that are taught in dojo around the world often do not make practical sense.

 

When practicing the kata, run through the form and at the point of the first bunkai, stop and visualize how the technique will work against an attacker. Then practice the bunkai as ippon kumite (one step sparring) with a partner, or as shadow boxing. It is important to focus all of your techniques. This can be done slow or fast but should be done slow at first until the technique becomes instinctive only after many dozens or hundreds of repetitions. Always focus strikes (putting snap into them). If you do not do this, you will learn to defend without power.

 

Use both hands, right [migi] then left [hadari] & defend from relaxed stance (yoi dachi) as well as a ready stance (kumite dachi) (Explanation A=attack, D=defense, uke is defender and tori is the attacker, R=right, L=left, TOH=top of head, CCW=counter-clockwise, CW=clockwise). Unless otherwise stated, assume the attack is with R-tsuki).

WAZA PSan1 (double block).

This represents the second move in this kata that has traditionally been misinterpreted by many martial artists as a double block (low and out). But few if any people ever attack with two punches at the same instant. Thus this technique more likely has other applications. Here are a few waza.  These are available on our basic (kihon) kata DVD that can be purchased from Andy Finley at okjapma@hotmail.com.

PSan 1a

(A) Chudan Oi-tsuki (middle level punch).

(D)Simultaneous out block w/lower back fist strike to groin.

PSan 1b

(A) Gedan oi-tsuki (lower level punch).

(D)Simultaneous down block, upper back fist strike to face.

PSan 1c

(A) R-Gun at chest

(D)Place hands in air. L-Down block w/R-back fist to face while stepping away (to the R) from the gun.

PSan 1d

(A) R-Gun at chest

(D) Slap gun hand out of way to your R with your L-hand. Step forward on tori’s R side and follow-up with R-interior forearm strike to neck and placing R-foot behind tori (this is a classical kempojutsu technique).

PSan 1e

(A) Gun at back

(D) Pivot CCW and lock gun arm with your L-elbow.  Back fist to face, followed by R-foot sweep.

PSan 1f

(A) Gun at back

(D) CWW spin, maki komi (winding throw).

PSan 1g

(A) Gun at back

(D) CW pivot – knock gun hand out hand with R- block then grab and reverse technique using Te Waza.

PSan 1h

(A) Frontal two-handed choke

(D) Wrap up both of tori’s arms using a CCW entrapment restraint with your L-arm (similar to the restraint used in PSan1e). In this restraint, you will need to start under tori’s arms with your L and continue in a CCW motion to completely circle the two arms. Finish with a back fist strike, followed by foot-sweep. 

 

WAZA PSan2

Knife hand (nuki te).

PSan2a

(A) Cross wrist grab.

(D) Pivot 180^o & strike tori w/free hand (forearm strike).

PSan2b

(A) R followed by L tsuki

(D) L out block (ude uke), followed by a L-downward palm block (teisho uke) and simultaneous knife-hand to throat.

 

WASA PSan3

Rotational block.

PSan3a

(A) Front kick (mae geri)

(D) Rotational elbow block followed with back fist strike.

 PSan3b

(A) Rear bear hug.

(D) Grab tori’s R-elbow with L-hand & step forward into very good horse-riding stance (kiba dachi) while rotating right shoulder forward for throw (you should end up nearly perpendicular to your starting stance).  

PSan3c

(A) punch

(D) L-outward block w/ R crescent kick (kozumi geri), pivot 180^o & finish with L-side thrust kick (yoko geri kokomi).

  

Waza PSan4

Grabbing block-punch.

(A) tsuki

(D) Open-hand grabbing block, finish with opposite hand punch (gyaku tsuki).  

 

Waza PSan5

Double elbow strikes. These are the last technique in this kata.

PSan5a

A) Bear hug from behind.

(D) Step L in kiba dachi & strike w/R elbow to gut. Now hook R arm under uke’s L-armpit and finish with leg drop throw (taitoshi).

PSan5b

(A) Bear hug from behind

(D) Step around tori with your R leg, followed by R back elbow strike forcing tori to fall over your thigh. You must be in excellent kiba dachi (Horse-riding stance) to protect your knee when tori falls over you leg!

PSan5c

(A) tsuki

(D) Respond by stepping R using L-open hand sweeping block with simultaneous R-inward elbow strike (yoko empi uchi) to the head.  Continue by stepping L grabbing tori’s R wrist with your R hand, following up w/L-triceps press takedown.

PSan5d

(A) Bear hug from behind

(D) Activate pressure point on inside of tori’s upper leg with fingers. Leg drop throw followed by w/arm bar restraint.

PSan5e

(A) Frontal bear hug (arms free)

(D) Head winding throw.

PSan5f

(A) R/forearm choke from behind.

(D) Restrain tori’s hand w/L and strike stomach with R-elbow strike, pivot CCW bringing L-arm under tori’s R-armpit & grab uke’s back of neck or head w/R hand. Now rotate CW to throw tori.  

PSan5g

(A) Bear hug from behind

(D) Push up on tori’s hands. Step to the L and strike to the gut with R elbow strike. Now reach down and grab tori’s R-ankle and use ushiro ashi waza (rear leg throw). Continue holding ankle as you pivot to face tori. Now rotate tori’s foot CW to force him/her on stomach and restrain.

 

 

 

 

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