Taira Shinken's Kata Curricula

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Victor Smith
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Taira Shinken's Kata Curricula

Post by Victor Smith »

Hi Bill,

Thought you might find my latest research of interest. A way to understand Taira Shinken's total picture.

The Kata of Taira Shinken

Patrick McCarthy – Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts 1 – Koryu Uchinadi
P110 – A Capsule History of Taira's Kata Syllabus

I've tried to find the Kata of Taira Shinken listed by McCarthy Sensei via
youtube search. If my efforts aren't totally correct at least these video's
suggest the range of weapons Taira was working on. I'm hoping I'll receive
further assistance to complete this list more accurately.

From Kangeawa Gimu------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nichokama
Juichi Kuda Nichokama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KazCl6eeAdU
Suruchin
Suruchin Kata shinpi Goriinto Ryuha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUnbWwCgKxc
Tenbi
Tinbei Rochin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q349Gt1gLlY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZM6JhUrRo8
Tekko-jutsu
Warrior Paages
Teko Introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezq9bZSc01s
Teko Striking drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4yH5GzO-a4
Ryuku Kobudo Maezato no Tekko http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVmSy5eEwuA

From Yabiku Moden--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bo jutsu of Chinen Shikiyanka Takara Koichi demonstrates Chinenshikiyanaka no
kon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8fuG-3yFc
Bo Sushi (dai/sho)
Shu Shi No Kon Dai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MHax1lCRRA
Shu Shi No Kon Sho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksEZ6MoawZw
Bo Tsuken Chiken No Kon (Tsuken Bo, Chikin Bo) performed by Sensei, Indishe
Senanayakehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kglUlxgDYy0
Tsuken Sunakake (eiku-jutsu)
Chikin sunakake no eku http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7dfTIOYJ80
Sakugawa (dai/sho)
Sakugawa no kun dai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yBPLAIk9qU
Sakugawa no kun sho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7FjMzwA58Q
Yonegawa Hidari bo
YONEGAWA NO KON (Hidari Bo) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJer8BnWicU
Shirotaru
Oshira Shirotaro Bo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN5l4az78yo

Sai jutsu of Tsukenshitahaku, Kojo, Tawata and Yakaa
Tsukenshitahaku no sai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmIsRycQIlA
Kojo sai not found
Tawada no sai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOm3p5DA97Q
Yakaa no Sai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y503g8ZWRM
Tuifa-jutsu of Hamaniga and Yaraguwa
Hamahiga no Tonfa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FJC2RR9Zo0
Yaraguwa no Tonfa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN-KbmtJTWY

Nunchaku Jutsu from Yahiku sensei
not found

From Mabuni Kenwa------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bojutsu of Sueyoshi, Urazone and Sesoko
Sueyoshi
Murakami Katsumi – Sueyoshi No Kon Dai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgK0KbZS714
Urazone not found
Sesoko
Shorin-ryu Shubukan – Sesoko no Kun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Uz7W-xkQw

Saijutsu of Hamahiga and Hantaguwa
Hamahga no Sai – Kamnisko Sedlo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aqQaB5J06I
Hantaguwa no sai not found

From Kamia Jinsei------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bojutsu of Choun and Soeishi
Choun no kun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZRDy6JsE4I
** Note Mario McKenna informes me this is the Matayoshi kata, I haven’t found the Taira yet **
Soeishi no Kon Dai, note from Joe Swift, "Murakami Sensei told me that Inoue
Motokatsu taught it to him as "Sueyoshi no Kon Dai"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgK0KbZS714

Sai jutsu of Chantanyara
Chantan Yara No Sai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrPtHW9Y7n0

Footage of Taira Shinken _from Warrior Pages--------------------------------------------------------------
Sai Kata http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Shu ... QMR3geE5Ss
Nunchaku Kata
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Shu ... pnRmwEP2H0
Bo Kata http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Shu ... _4WcJGnyiY
Tonfa Kata
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Shu ... hxvS3Zf-hU
Victor Smith
bushi no te isshinryu
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f.Channell
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Post by f.Channell »

I'm confused as to the goal Victor.
Are you listing kata he created or attributed to his having studied?
I have info on him in a couple of books such as Nagamine's, but I don't recall kata listed.

I know the Sakugawa kata I have seen various interpetations of. I was taught one or three myself through membership in the USKA decades ago,
Sans Peur Ne Obliviscaris
www.hinghamkarate.com
Victor Smith
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:17 am
Location: Derry, NH, USA
Contact:

Post by Victor Smith »

I pulled this list together from Patrick McCarthy's book
'Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts 1', which named his kata by source.

I find it more interesting to see the kata versus reading names to understand the scope of Taira's instruction.

I'm aware there are multiple versions but I tried to pick the best I could find. Likewise I'm aware Taira had much more than just these kata. Innoue's books show more too, but reading pictures that move backwards in a book in Japanese isn't my idea of a fun time.

I understand some of the kata are attributed to Taira, the available record does not resolve the contradictions in the least. But Taira contributed quite a bit to our understanding of Okinawan Kobudo and I'm just trying to share what I've found.

pleasantly,
Victor Smith
bushi no te isshinryu
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f.Channell
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Location: Valhalla

Post by f.Channell »

Nothing in my Nagamine book on him. He would have been a contemporary of his anyway.

Interesting guy however. Sounds like he is responsible for saving many of these kobudo kata, in at least some form.

F.
Sans Peur Ne Obliviscaris
www.hinghamkarate.com
Victor Smith
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:17 am
Location: Derry, NH, USA
Contact:

Post by Victor Smith »

Well Isshinryu's founder spent some time with Taira and our curriculum incorporates two bo, one sai and one tonfa kata from that sharing.

Taira Shinken was an Okinawan who originally studied karate from Funakoshi and then was introduced to Mabuni and Yabiku Moden. He trained and was introduced to many who shared various kobudo kata with him. He published one book of an encyclopedia of kobuod but died before the other 4 planned books were published.

He taught both in Japan and Okinawa and left impressive instructors to continue his traditions. Akamine on Okinawa, Innoue on Japan among other notables.

I do a lot of youtube and other research, having observed +50,000 video's at this point. A minor hobby for me but I can now track down almost anything out there. Reviewing McCarthy's book I saw the kata listing at the end and thought it was worth taking a look.

IMO a very impressive curricula, especially now to observe it. To study it is simply easy, drop your life, move to Japan or Okinawa and commit yourself to 20+ years training in that study. Not on my agenda. I'm quite content with my own studies, but the same requirement any serious study requires.

most pleasant,
Victor Smith
bushi no te isshinryu
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