Kata Seiyunchin

“To Control by Pulling Inward” or “To Control and Pull in Battle”

Seiyunchin is one of the old Kung Fu kata that were taught to Higaonna Sensei, and which were incorporated into the Okinawan karate systems.

N – Yoi Dachi

N – Step out to Migi Shiko Dachi (45o), Yama Uke. Circle the hands out and down, palms facing out. At the bottom of the circle, fingertips point in, then point up as hands come together (back-to-back). Hands rise until fingertips are about even to the chin.

N – Rolls fingers into fists, beginning with the index fingers. Double Gedan Tsuki, meshing the knuckles on the way down, then spreading into Double Gedan Uke.

N – Hands flick open. Migi Haito Uke, turn hand over into Kake Uke, Hidari Nukite (drawing right hand back, so hands are parallel and fingertips are even).

N – Step to Hidari Shiko Dachi (45o), Yama Uke. Circle the hands out and down, palms facing out. At the bottom of the circle, fingertips point in, then point up as hands come together (back-to-back). Hands rise until fingertips are about even to the chin.

N – Rolls fingers into fists, beginning with the index fingers. Double Gedan Tsuki, meshing the knuckles on the way down, then spreading into Double Gedan Uke.

N – Hands flick open. Hidari Haito Uke, turn hand over into Kake Uke, Migi Nukite (drawing left hand back, so hands are parallel and fingertips are even).

N – Step to Migi Shiko Dachi (45o), Yama Uke. Circle the hands out and down, palms facing out. At the bottom of the circle, fingertips point in, then point up as hands come together (back-to-back). Hands rise until fingertips are about even to the chin.

N – Roll fingers into fists, beginning with the index fingers. Double Gedan Tsuki, meshing the knuckles on the way down, then spreading into Double Gedan Uke.

N – Hands flick open. Migi Haito Uke, turn hand over into Kake Uke, Hidari Nukite (drawing right hand back, so hands are parallel and fingertips are even).

N – Right hand closes into a fist, small circle into the left palm.

N – Draw back to Hidari Sanchin Dachi, draw hands up to chest, immediately step forward to Migi Sachin Dachi (taking extra ground), reinforced Migi Seiken Tsuki, Kiai.

N – Step back into Hidari Sanchin Dachi, draw right hand back into chamber (reinforced), immediately Migi Mae Hiji Ate into left palm.

NE – Migi Sanchin Dachi, Migi Soe Uke (from left hip).

NE – Hidari (linear) Shiko Dachi, Hidari Gedan Barai.

NE – Step back to Migi (linear) Shiko Dachi, Migi Haraiotoshi Uke.

NW – Hidari Sanchin Dachi, Hidari Soe Uke (from right hip).

NW – Migi (linear) Shiko Dachi, Migi Gedan Barai.

NW – Step back to Hidari (linear) Shiko Dachi, Hidari Haraiotoshi Uke.

N – Step back to Migi (linear) Shiko Dachi, Harai Uke Sho.

N – Step back to Hidari (linear) Shiko Dachi, Harai Uke Sho.

N – Migi Ashi Barai to Migi Sanchin Dachi, arm break (left hand open on right arm).

N – Slight shuffle forward, Migi Ura Ken, Kiai.

SW – Hidari Sanchin Dachi, Hidari Joge Uke. Transition left hand to Kake Uke, right hand to low chamber (on hip).

SW – Migi (linear) Shiko Dachi, Migi Age Tsuki, Kiai, Ura Ken, Tettsui.

SW – Step back to Hidari (linear) Shiko Dachi, Hidari Haraiotoshi Uke.

N – Migi Neko Ashi Dachi (high), right hand extended with palm up, left hand crossing palm down. Sink in stance, pull hands to left chamber (reinforced Ushiro Hiji Ate).

N – Step back to Hidari Neko Ashi Dachi, left hand extended with palm up, right hand crossing palm down. Sink in stance, pull hands to right chamber (reinforced Ushiro Hiji Ate).

SE – Migi Sanchin Dachi, Migi Joge Uke. Transition right hand to Kake Uke, left hand to low chamber (on hip).

SW – Hidari (linear) Shiko Dachi, Hidari Age Tsuki, Kiai, Ura Ken, Tettsui.

SW – Step back to Migi (linear) Shiko Dachi, Migi Haraiotoshi Uke.

N – Hidari Neko Ashi Dachi (high), left hand extended with palm up, right hand crossing palm down. Sink in stance, pull hands to right chamber (reinforced Ushiro Hiji Ate).

N – Step back to Migi Neko Ashi Dachi, right hand extended with palm up, left hand crossing palm down. Sink in stance, pull hands to left chamber (reinforced Ushiro Hiji Ate).

N – Flick open the left hand. Slide forward to Migi Sanchin Dachi (taking ground), left tiger claw, Migi Ura Ken, Kiai.

N – Step back to Hidari Neko Ashi Dachi, bring both hands above head like crane spreading its wings, draw hands down into Yama Uke.

N – Noalte.

Notes

  • The two Kiai to the rear diagonals are optional. The three to the front are not.
  • There are many instances in this kata where one seems to step too long, and then slide the rear foot up. This is Suri Ashi – sliding foot.
  • In the opening sequence (which is repeated three times), the Nukite is done to the front. Hands are parallel, but offset – not directly above and below each other.
    • In an older version of this kata, the Nukite was done to the diagonal (across the body, perpendicular to the belt knot). Hanshi Bernard made this modification. In bunkai, the difference relates to whether you are on the inside or the outside of the attacker’s body when blocking his punch.
  • When turning to the rear diagonals, step “on the tightrope” with your front foot, then pivot. This should give proper foot position for Sanchin Dachi.
  • After each back diagonal, one performs a rear elbow strike in cat stance. To remember how to set up the hands for this, the rule of thumb is: the chambered hand extends (palm up), the other hand crosses on top.