“To Smash and Tear to Pieces”
Saifa is one of the old Kung Fu kata that were taught to Higaonna Sensei, and which were incorporated into the Okinawan karate systems. For the student perspective, it is quite a leap from earlier kata: it incorporates more advanced techniques, different types of stepping, and different concepts and rhythms than the student has previously been exposed to.
Sequence of Techniques
N – Yoi Dachi
N – Migi Zenkutsu Dachi, load right fist on hip (vertically), left hand enclosing right.
E – Step up to Mesubi Dachi. Snap hands to left hip, head to North.
N – Fade back to linear Shiko Dachi, left clawing technique, Migi Ura Ken.
N – Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi, load left fist on hip (vertically), right hand enclosing right.
W – Step up to Mesubi Dachi. Snap hands to right hip, head to North.
N – Fade back to linear Shiko Dachi, right clawing technique, Hidari Ura Ken.
N – Migi Zenkutsu Dachi, load right fist on hip (vertically), left hand enclosing right.
E – Step up to Mesubi Dachi. Snap hands to left hip, head to North.
N – Fade back to linear Shiko Dachi, left clawing technique, Migi Ura Ken.
N – Step West-Northwest into modified Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi (toe-heel alignment), open-handed Joge Uke (palms flat, fingers pointing North).
N – Migi Mae Geri (to North), bring the foot across into modified Migi Zenkutsu Dachi (toe-heel alignment), open-handed Joge Uke (palms flat, fingers pointing North).
N – Hidari Mae Geri (to North), bring foot back into a full Migi Zenkutsu Dachi. At the same time, Morote Nukite to throat, grab collar, pull into double chamber, Morote Seiken Tsuki to Lungs.
N – Left hand flicks open, hands circle down to smash head (just above right knee).
N – Bring the left hand over to protect right ribs. Step across with front foot, turn in Zenkutsu Dachi.
S – Reach out to double grab to collar (arms crossed at wrists), pull into double chamber, Morote Seiken Tsuki to lungs.
S – Right hand flicks open, hands circle down to smash head (just above left knee).
N – Pull right foot up to avoid a leg sweep, then pivot on left foot into Heiko Dachi (body facing West) with right foot stomp, Migi Jodan Tettsui, Kiai. Small Migi Kake Uke grab (hair), pull down to hip while performing Hidari Shita Tsuki across body (to North).
S – Pull left foot up to avoid a leg sweep, shifting focus to South. Left foot stomp into Heiko Dachi (body facing West), Hidari Jodan Tettsui, Kiai. Small Hidari Kake Uke grab (hair), pull down to hip while performing Migi Shita Tsuki across body (to South).
S – Step out to Migi Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Tsuki to solar plexus.
S – Step through to modified Hidari Zenkutsu Dachi, stepping on the Imbusan Line.
N – Immediately pivot to North, drawing back into Migi Neko Ashi Dachi. Hidari Haito Uchi across body to right shoulder, right hand down at side.
N – Migi Haito Uchi across body, left hand open in chamber.
N – Mawashi Uke.
N – Noalte.
Notes
- The foot stomps into Heiko Dachi a similar to those performed in Gekisai Dai Ichi and Ni when one performs the Shuto strikes.
- On the turn into Neko Aschi Dachi, control balance by using the right foot as an anchor. Tilt the hips downward to apply pressure to the floor and control one’s spin.