Seisan

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The karate kata Seisan (alternate names: Sesan, Seishan, Jusan, Hangetsu) literally means '13', however some people refer to the kata as '13 Hands', '13 Fists' or '13 Steps'.

There are numerous theories as to the naming of the kata. These include the number of steps originally in the kata, the number of different types of 'power' or 'energy' in the kata, the number of applications, or that the kata represents defence against 13 specific types of attack. The most likely explanation is the number of non-repeating techniques contained within the kata. It is believed Seisan derives from Yong Chun White Crane Boxing from Fujian Province in Southern China, where the form is known as 'Four Gate Hands'. Versions of Seisan taught today have roots in Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te streams of karate (that is the karate that was traditionally taught in the Okinawan towns of Shuri, Naha and Tomari, te meaning 'hand').

The version of Seisan taught in the Dentokan Shorin-Ryu syllabus can be traced back to Soken 'Bushi' Matsumura (1809-1901) a highly influential teacher to Shorin styles, hence the name Matsumura-no-Seisan. This version was revised by Shian Toma (whose lineage can be traced back to Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), a student of Soken Matsumura and contemporary of Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)) to bring it into line with other Seidokan kata. The form predominantly features the stance Shiko-Dachi (common in Tomari-te kata) accompanying a block which often sets up a powerful pivot and punch into Zenkutsu-Dachi. This form introduces many recurring concepts used in higher level Dentokan Shorin-Ryu kata.

Another more obscure version of this kata known as Aragaki-no-Seisan, bears the closest surface resemblance to the Shotokan kata Hangetsu. The Shotokan version was probably renamed when Gichin Funakoshi formed his school in Japan. Hangetsu translates to 'Half Moon' or 'Half Month' a reference to the half-moon stance (Hangetsu-Dachi) used extensively and the semi-circular stepping actions in this kata. It is interesting to note the name Seisan could have been a reference to the 13-day cycle of the moons phases, and knowing this Funakoshi named the kata 'Half Moon/Month'. A more obscure and unlikely theory is that the kata was taken from a Chinese folk dance where the performer is explaining the importance of the tides as they cycle on 13-day intervals as the moon revolves around the earth.

Hangetsu contains many slow movements under tension, popular in Naha-te schools such as Goju-Ryu, but rare in Shotokan and Shuri-te influenced styles making the kata quite unique. Funakoshi was taught by Soken Matsumura (Shuri-te), Kodatsu Iha (a student of Kosaku Matsumura of Tomari-te) and Seisho Aragaki (associated with Goju-Ryu, a Naha-te style) all of which had knowledge of a version of Seisan. Funakoshi's could have taken the best from these contrasting styles synthesising them into Hangetsu, which possibly explains why the form is so different to other kata in the Shotokan cannon.

The Goju-Ryu (Naha-te) version of the kata, Higaonna-no-Seisan, is a more complicated and impressive version that contains close range fighting techniques such as short-range punches, low kicks and directional changes to unbalance the opponent. Typical of Goju-Ryu it contains slow movements performed under tension, as well as strong fast techniques. Seisan is said to complement Seienchin. Seisan is suited more to those of a larger frame, and who can build power easily. This can be seen just by the opening three punches, where the karateka must execute three strong punches from a Sanchin dachi. On the other hand, Seienchin is more for a smaller person, as the kata uses many techniques that involve two hands working together for one technique. Although rooted in the same form, significant differences can be seen in the Goju version compared to the two versions mentioned above.

[edit] References

• Akari-ki Karate: Seisan
• Bishop, M. Okinawan Karate (Tuttle, Boston, 1999).
• Swift, J. Roots Of Shotokan: Funakoshi's Original 15 Kata; Part 3 - Seisan, Wanshu, Chinto, Jitte & Jion Kata (http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=222)
• Hobbs, R. J. & Jones, C. M. "The Genealogy of Okinawa" Traditional Karate 15 (7), 14-18 (March 2002).
• Roosen, A. Ko Ken Ryu, Dentokan Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu Syllabus (http://www.users.idzero.co.uk/~andyroos/syllabus.htm)