Shotokan Kata - Unique Positions or Locations

Welcome to 2010

2010-01-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

First boys out in the year for 2010 were Dave Sanderson & Alan Stanley. The pictures are taken on a rocky outcrop known as "The Cloud" and looks down over Congleton in Cheshire. As you can see from the pictures there was plenty of cloud about for the boys to practise the kata Unsu translated as "Hands in the Clouds" or "Parting the Clouds". No idea what the swords are doing but the picture looks good. Well done. Oss.

A Missed Opportunity !!

2009-08-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

The committee were recently contacted by a Karate-ka stating they had visited Newcastle Upon Tyne and in particular had paid a visit to the Angel of The North. Whilst there the Karate-ka considered putting his gi on for a photograph but alas could not think of a suitable move from a Shotokan kata. To put the Karate-ka out of his misery Yahara Shihan is pictured above at a very early stage of the kata Unsu. Please consider the two pictures above and decide if the committee would have allowed this entry should it have been sent in !!!

Oss.

Kanku Dai - Look to the Sky

2009-08-01T15:14:00.001-07:00

Nathaniel Watts on a visit to Norway - on Kjera Bolten 990m above Lysefjorden. As near as we can get is half way through the first move in Kanku Dai - but then again who cares - we're just glad he made onto and back off the rock safely - there would appear to be a hell of a drop ! Karate men again showing their true mettle !

Oss.

Kihon Ippon Kumite

2009-06-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

The above photograph puts the height into perspective whilst the photograph below details what is actually happening - Yes, karate 200 feet above road level !

Alan Stanley & Milena Galabova climbed to the dizzy heights of this rock face and stood on a ledge of rock sticking out at the top. The idea was to get a better view across the idyllic scenery of a Scottish Loch. But Kato Sensei had other ideas - always one for practising he shouts to them to do Kihon Ippon Kumite.

All was set, Milena stands in shizentai - Alan steps back into gedan barai - Normally all you would have heard from Alan would have been, "JODAN" - but on this occasion he quietly said, "I'm going to attack, just DON'T step back" - always the caring karate-ka...

Oss

At the Callanish Standing Stones - Stornoway

2009-06-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

Makiwara training with Kato Shihan takes on a whole new meaning !!!

Oss

Stornoway Sunset

2009-06-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

Lewis MacLeod pictured in gyaku zuki / zenkutsu dachi stance in gi on Stornoway at Sunset. An excellent picture worthy of being on this blog.

Oss

Ye Olde Mr Cornez !! 17th Century Kata

2009-05-10T12:05:00.001-07:00

As some of you might be aware, Steve Cornes IJKA 2nd Dan has an interest other than karate. I know it's hard to believe but he takes part in battle re enactments from centuries ago ( Sealed Knott type of activities ). I don't know which regiment he's in but I recently received this photograph with the caption, "A soldier in the service of the king performs a strange pre-battle ritual".

Looks like the Kata Enpi or even Jitte - the position is not unique to one kata but Steve, your attire certainly is - Committee confirm blog status !

Oss.

Entry on the Blog from Bassai Sho

2009-04-19T15:21:00.001-07:00

Sharad Karia IJKA 4th Dan sent in this photograph where he is pictured executing a right yoko geri keage & right haito uchi from the kata Bassai Sho. The committee have viewed the picture and state the location looks great - right arm looks a little high !! but all power to your elbow if you're prepared to put a karate gi on in the middle of the countryside and pose for a photo - you're definitely mad enough to make this blog ! Well done.

Oss.

One from the Emerald Isle

2009-04-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

E mail and photograph just arrived and included on the blog - many thanks for taking the trouble to send it to us - Excellent !

"We just loved your unique positions page and thought we'd like to add a contribution.Myself and my husband Malcolm were on a trip to train with Sensei PJ Maloney last Saturday and thought the Tipperary mountains made a nice contribution to the kata position. I have to say a good wind and 10 foot drop behind the wall only added to the excitement. We hope it's a unique one, sorry we couldn't find a swallow!!!!".

Yours in karate - Marie Murphy.Tuam Sho Bu Kan

To Welcome in 2009

2009-01-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Above is Dave Sanderson in tsuruashi dachi from the Kata Gankaku ( Crane on a Rock ) whilst we have Alan Stanley below in Yama Gamae ( Mountain Stance ) on a rock on what he describes as the Buxton Mountains !! Yes its very cold, that is frost and ice on the ground so I suppose the training shoes can be excused. A good effort but not the first of the day, well done...

Who would be first up and out in the new year of 2009. Congratulations to Mark Watts for this entry from Kanku Dai ( Look to the Sky - Big ) with the Jodrell Bank Telescope in the background - Well you don't get any bigger lookers at the sky than Jodrell Bank !!

Oss.

Hangetsu ( Half Moon )

2008-07-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Paul Brandt, Helen Milner & Steve Cameron in a unique position in Shotokan Kata - Hangetsu. The picture having being taken on the beach during Kato Shihan's birthday course in Ireland. Well done and included on the blog.

Oss.

Tekki Shodan ( Iron Horseman )

2008-03-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

Whilst on a karate break in The Bahamas Steve Cameron, Alan Stanley & Sharad Karia came across some 'Iron Horses' in a fountain. A golden opportunity not to be missed. A unique postion in Tekki Shodan ( Right handed haishu whilst in kiba dachi ). Shame about no Gi's but we can't have everything. Well Done.

Oss

Sochin ( Strength & Calm )

2008-02-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Sunil, Thanks for your e mail and photo's submitted to the blog. You are quite right that this is a unique position only found in the Shotokan Kata Sochin - the entry has been rejected by The Committee due to the stance - more work Sunil on Fudo Dachi !!!

Team Kata at the Tori Gate to the Meiji Jinja Shrine, Toyko in September 2001. Not unique to just one Shotokan kata, but at least you do have your gi's on. The location in this photograph allows it to be included on this blog. Pictured are Nathaniel Watts, Nick and Sunil Agalgatti.

Oss

Gankaku ( Crane on a Rock )

2008-01-29T16:00:00.001-08:00

Our first none Whitchurch Dojo entry onto this Blog has been submitted by Steve Cameron IJKA 2nd Dan.He wrote, "Unfortunately you will probably disqualify it straight away as I'm not in a Gi!!This shot was taken using self timer and a tripod in September 1995, prior to my return to the UK after an 18 month spell working + training in Johannesburg, and long before your blog was around!! The rock in question is on the edge of Table Mountain in Cape Town. Behind me is a 3500 foot drop to the city below, and Table Bay + docks are in the background.Shame I never took my Gi in the rucksack.........but good to know I'm also in the sad club that never stops thinking about karate, long may it continue".

A unique stance, tsuru ashi dachi in the kata Gankaku, taken at a spectacular location - the Committee have over looked the No Gi issue - Thanks for the posting - a great Picture.

Nijushiho ( 24 Steps )

2008-01-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

Unique Shotokan karate position from the kata Nijushiho ( 24 Steps ) with the kick yoko geri kekomi. Pictured is Kato Shihan 8th Dan.

I said "Surf the Web for ideas"

2008-01-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry boys. This entry of you on the beach in Portugal has been rejected by "The Committee". This move is found in a multitude of Shotokan Kata's. Please try again. Pictured are Dave Sanderson and Alan Stanley.

Gankaku ( Crane on a Rock )

2008-01-06T02:45:00.000-08:00

Unique Shotokan karate position - Gankaku Gamae ( on one leg - left hand gedan barai - right hand jodan soto uke ). Pictured is Dave Sanderson outside a local watering hole. This entry will be removed as soon as someone sends in the same position but actually stood on a rock !!

Kanku Dai ( Look to the Sky )

2008-01-06T02:31:00.001-08:00

The boys seeing in 2008 on a cold and wet lawn. Both hands raised and looking to the sky whilst in heiko dachi. A unique Shotokan position at the start of Kanku Dai. Pictured are Mark Watts, Dave Sanderson & Steve Cornes.

Bassai Dai ( To Penetrate a Fortress )

2008-01-06T02:13:00.000-08:00

Unique Shotokan Karate position - Yama Zuki in left side zenkutsu dachi - from Bassai Dai. Photograph location is Mow Cop Castle which fits the meaning of the kata - To Penetrate a Fortress. Pictured is Alan Stanley 3rd Dan.

Nijushiho ( 24 Steps )

2008-01-05T18:09:00.001-08:00

Unique Shotokan Karate position from kata Nijushiho ( 24 Steps ). Osae uke in kokutsu dachi. Pictured is Dave Sanderson 3rd Dan.