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"
Suparunpei or Pecchurin - (108
hands or The 108 evil passions of man and his effort to conquer
them). According to oral tradition, there were three levels of
Suparinpei, which were Jo (high), Chu (middle) and Ge (low). The
Suparinpei, which we practice now, is Jo. Suparinpei Chu and Ge
were lost sometime in the past. Suparunpei represents the number
108 (3x36=108) and has special significance in Buddhism. It is
believed that man has 108 evil passions, and so in Buddhist temples
on December 31, at the stroke of midnight, a bell is rung 108 times
to drive away those spirits. The number 108 is calculated from
3x36. When the six aspects of kon (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and
spirit) create three worldly desires of good, bad and peace, and
become eighteen worldly desires, which is Sepai. Then another three
worldly desires; pain, pleasure and abandonment touch the six kon
to make another eighteen worldly desires, which added up to
thirty-six (Sanseiru). These thirty-six worldly desires are related
to the past, present and future, and then it becomes one hundred
and eight (36 x 3), which is Suparinpei. Suparunpei is Goju's
longest kata. It utilizes a large number of techniques, including
breath control, and it contains the greatest number of applications
and depth of meaning.