Iain Abernethy 5 th Dan made his way to the Irish shores for another of his very well received kata bunkai (forms analysis) and pragmatic approach to karate and Mushin Karate were there to soak up and savour the knowledge that was being given out. Iain has been a regular visitor to the North and each time Mushin Karate are there for another instalment of pragmatic karate.
The seminar was hosted by Zanshin Karate Jutus at the Hut in Glengormley on Saturday 15 th September 2007 from 1-5 p.m. Those present from Mushin Karate and pictured were John Haddick, Eric Forsythe (coach), Iain Abernethy, Gerry Neeson, Stiofan O Caoithmhaoil, and Ciaran McDowell.
The focus of the day was looking at two katas Naihanchi and Kushanku. The founder of Wado Ryu Hironoru Ohtsuka said, “ Every technique in Naihanchi has its own purpose. I personally favour Naihanchi. It is not interesting to the eye, but it is extremely difficult to use. Naihanchi increases in difficulty with more time spent practicing it, however, there is something "deep" about it.” We knew we were in for an informative and productive day.
The day started with a warm up and then straight into what can be called pushing hands, clearing those obstructions (arms) to strike your opponent. We moved onto a bit of grappling where most fights end up in, the drill we practiced was the belt know was put round your back and you and your opponent had to try to grab each others without getting your belt knot grabbed – there was some funny looking movements being made. The last drill to start the day off was trying to get to your feet when your on the ground with an opponent standing above you trying to kick you focusing on not coming into your opponent in fear of getting kicked but moreover moving away whilst regaining your feet and your position.
We moved onto some applications from Naihanchi and Kushanku, where we introduced the flinch response and how that can work for us to protect ourselves, moving into a clinch, for strikes with the head, following up with locks and neck cranks – all very interesting and potentially lethal applications from what seems to be a very easy kata to perform. Perhaps this is why Ohtsuka that it is not interesting to the eye but it is extremely difficult to use as the depth of information contained within the kata could take a life-time to understand.
All in attendance enjoyed the day immensely and are waiting for the next time for Iain to make the journey across in November which Mushin Karate will be in attendance.
Anyone interested in learning applied and pragmatic karate should contact Eric on 02890604769 or visit our website www.mushinkarate.com or alternatively come have a look in our classes on Monday night in St Lukes School, Twinbrook from 7-8 p.m for adults and advanced students of a Wednesday night from 7-8 in St Lukes School, Twinbrook for everyone else.