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"
Seipai - (18 steps or hand
positions)
Sepai represents the number eighteen (3x6=18). When the six aspects
of kon (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and spirit) touch the six
aspects of jin (color, voice, smell, taste, touch and justice), the
six kon create three worldly desires of good, bad and peace, and
become eighteen worldly desires, which is Sepai. The six in this
case is the same as the second six in Sanseiru (colour, voice,
taste, smell, touch and justice), while the three represents good,
bad, and peace. It is said it is based upon the crane techniques
which can be seen in the leaning stances, whipping style of
striking, and evasive footwork. Seipai is made up of a variety of
unusual hand, foot and body techniques. Dragon’s Way teaches
us the importance of controlling the center of our opponent’s
body. We are constantly breaking their balance by bending their
body and shifting their weight over and away from the support of
their hips. This is done in a variety of different techniques,
sometimes it is by grabbing them around the waist, sometimes by
pushing their hips away and at other times by controlling the top
of their bodies and pulling them off balance.