Sensei Warren Berto,“This is the best martial arts book I have ever read.”
Shorin Ryu Seibukan Kyan's Karate
Hanshi Shimabukuro introduced the Shorin Ryu Seibukan book at the Whidbey Island Seibukan dojo of sensei Warren Berto June 1, 2012. The book which is 406 pages with 1,253 color photos depicting all Kyan kata, basics and kumite drills was received enthusiastically by the Alaska Seibukan members. Sensei Berto stated that the book was a defining work on Seibukan and all Alaska Seibukan members should have the book for their study.
See Review in Classical Fighting Arts magazine here!
Seibukan USA National Training “Seizing, Grabbing and Immobilizing” Chotoku Kyan advised in,Thoughts on How to Learn and Teach Karate,* concerning the importance of developing the ability to Seize or Grasp an attacker in an effort to Immobilize thereby stopping a continuous attack. Kyan advised in his Principles of Fighting, “that if you cannot block and counter at the same time, you should immobilize or seize the opponent so they cannot continue their attack.” ** Kyan said, “To learn the corresponding blocks with grabbing and immobilizing techniques”, and “When you grasp an opponents arm you must do it strongly and loosely at the same time, so you can react to your opponent’s reaction”.**** Kyan placed a significant emphasis on the use of grasping/seizing to control an opponent and warned against being grabbed.*** In the martial arts world today grappling has become very popular. It is quite obvious from Kyan’s frequent advice and emphasis on seizing, grabbing and immobilizing that our Seibukan curriculum has an abundance of techniques to satisfy the need to initiate and avoid grappling. Our 2013 Seibukan USA National Training will provide a solid basis for understanding Kyan’s methods on defending against continuous attacks and attempts to be controlled. The focus of the 2013 SNT is to identify and practice the methods of seizing, grabbing and immobilizing in the Kyan Kata and Seibukan Ippon Kumite. * Shorin Ryu Seibukan, chapter 2, p.31 * * Shorin Ryu Seibukan, chapter 2, p.35 *** Shorin Ryu Seibukan, chapter 2. p.36 **** (Kempo Gaietsu by Nisaburo Miki, January 10, 1930). Why Grab, Seize, Hold (GSH)? Purpose – Due to timing, distance, or type of attack it can become necessary to GSH the attacking weapon to interrupt the continuous motion of the attacker. Timing –The initial blocking action does not interrupt or eliminate the opportunity for a continuous attack. The attacker begins the withdrawal of the weapon and the GSH is used to interrupt the next attack. Distance – Due to evasive movement or misjudging the distance required to move the target you are required to follow the withdrawing weapon with GSH to interrupt the continuous attack of the opponent. Location – A key driver to the method of GSH is the location of the block. Types of Attack – Pushing, punching and kicking may lead to a GSH but when we are grabbed a counter GSH is automatically required. An immediate counter GSH is the best defense for being grabbed as the attacker most likely will follow with a continuous attack. Advantage of GSH – The timing of the application of GSH should be applied to gain an advantage of the opponent’s reactive movement to your block. Allow the opponent to increase the strength/action of the GSH. How to execute – The GSH action should replicate the withdrawing hand and turning of the waist. Each time you practice a punch or block the withdrawing hand should be considered a catching and pulling hand. Key points when seizing: - Seize at the wrist - Squeeze the little and ring finger tightly - Use a relaxed grip - Follow the opponents movement - Execute a sharp jerking motion at the end with contraction under the arm  - Rotate the seizing hand GSH techniques found in all Kyan Kata except Ananku. This is interesting since Ananku was created by Kyan. Perhaps the lack of GSH techniques in Ananku was because it was designed for new students at the Kadena Agriculture High School? Seizing Methods: Kyan advised to first learn the forms and movements of karate. He said the various forms and movements (including seizing) should be developed thoroughly with the stances and methods of movements. - Kake or Kagite Uke - hooking block - Kake or Kagite Uke Tsukamu - hooking block and seize - Suiki - scoop or catch a leg or arm - Kakie - Push Hands Before the application of techniques from the kata can be properly applied the forms and movements of the above techniques should be thoroughly developed individually and with a partner. Tuite or Tuide - seizing, tearing, bending joints and applying pressure to nerve points. Once an attacker has been seized, grasped and/or immobilized the opportunity is often presented after the opponent is pliable to execute controlling and submission techniques that render the opponent helpless to further attack. Summary While more than eighty percent of kata techniques are blocking, striking, thrusting and kicking techniques the twenty percent of the grabbing, seizing, holding and immobilizing techniques in the kata have the opportunity to be applied in conjunction with one hundred percent of the kata techniques.
