All caches in
this series are named after Katas that are practised and studied in
Goju Ryu karate. Although there are only 12 basic Katas in this
style of karate, Kata have been developed and added throughout the
years. Some dojos include these additional Katas, as well as other
foreign Katas in their training. The Kata in this series represent
those studied at the various dojos my family has been involved with
for over two decades.
All caches are on the Bruce Trail, and other
than a few exceptions, should be easy
finds.
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"Karate begins and ends with Kata. Kata is the
essence and foundation of karate and it represents the accumulation
of more than a 1000 years of knowledge. Formed by numerous masters
throughout the ages through dedicated training and research, the
kata are like a map to guide us, and as such should never be
changed or tampered with"
Morio
Hiagaonna
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Kata literally means
"form" in Japanese, and is a series of choreographed patterns or
movements practised by most Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. In
Goju-Ryu Karate, the kata is an essential form of training, helping
a student to visualize an enemy attack and their response. Kata
practise promotes the development of proper breathing, technique
and focus, to help develop power and strength, while maintaining a
relaxed, calm mind, and is often described as "moving
meditation"
Saifa is the first of the
classical combative Kata taught in Goju-Ryu. Kanryo Higaonna Sensei
was taught this Kata, along with the other Kata of Goju-Ryu, while
he studied in China from 1863-1881 under the direction of RuRuKo
and others. These Kata and martial strategies would become the
basis of the martial art that Miyagi Sensei would eventually call
Goju-Ryu. From an understanding of the grappling and striking
techniques of this Kata, Saifa can be interpreted to mean grabbing
and tearing of tissue in close-quartered combat.