Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953)
"You must, above all, learn the art of true and real patience. Follow the way of patience to the seventh power and never be in a hurry to learn. Always think first and avoid acting rashly. Never harm anyone or let yourself be harmed." Chojun Miyagi
Kanryo Higaonna (1853-1915) was the founder of Naha-te. He passed these teachings onto Chojun Miyagi who officially named and founded Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate in 1933. Naha-te's list of katas included Sanchin, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Shisochin, Sanseiru, Sepai, Kururunfa, Seisan, and Suparinpei, which Kanryo Higaonna learned while studying martial arts in China. Chojun Miyagi later created and added Tensho, Gekisai Dai Ichi, and Gekisai Dai Ni katas into the system. All Goju-ryu katas begin with a defensive move, there is no first strike in Karate.
“It should be known that the secret principles of Goju-Ryu exist within the kata." Chojun Miyagi
Gekisai Dai Ichi (to Attack & Smash I)
This kata was created by Miyagi Sensei in 1940 as an easy to learn kata with self defense value, which could be used to popularize Goju Ryu within the high school system in Okinawa. The Chinese characters for Geki and sai mean to "attack, smash and demolish" (an attacker). This kata contains powerful, basic movements that are easy to learn and interpret although many of the techniques have multiple applications as they were derived from more advanced forms.
Gekisai Dai Ni (to Attack & Smash II)
This kata was created at the same time as Gekisai Dai Ichi. It introduces open hand techniques and Neko Ashi movements, an important part of advanced Goju-ryu katas.
Saifa (to smash & tear)
The name uses the same Chinese character as for the 'sai' found in Gekisai kata. The second character 'fa' means to tear or rip. It is pronounced Sai-ha in Chinese, Sai-fa in Okinawan. It therefore means "to smash and tear." This is a close fighting kata which utilizes the hammer fist and back fist strikes along with knee kicks and kicks to the groin. Chojun Miyagi developed this kata which uses techniques from the White Crane system. Saifa helps promote whipping power generated by movement of the hips switching between soft and hard movements of the arms. Saifa deploys escape techniques while developing tai-sabaki and balance. It is taught as the first Heishu (closed hand) kata in many Goju-Ryu schools.
Seiyunchin (grab & pull in battle)
Many translations exist for the name of this kata, but "to pull in and fight" seems the most appropriate. The kanji character chin is used - in this case combined with sei and yun (also pronounced "in") it means "to pull off balance and fight." Other interpretations of the characters are; attack, conquer and suppress; marching far quietly; and, the calm within the storm. Its origins are believed to be from the Hsing-i internal system and its techniques are well suited for practical, close-in fighting. Seiyunchin is long and strenuous. It contains pulling and gripping techniques, hidden throwing techniques and requires a strong upper and lower body, good breath control, and lots of stamina. While containing several escape techniques, this demanding form contains no kicks and the majority of the hand techniques are performed in shiko-dachi.
Shisochin (4 direction (palm) battle)
Literally its name is made up of: Shi (four), so (direction), chin (battle) when combined means "four-face battle" but can also mean four peaceful facing! Some believe this kata was once part of a longer kata that included Sanseiru, both of which were brought back from China by Kanryo Higaonna. One of the Kaishu or open hand group of katas utilizes spear hand strikes in its opening moves and employs joint locking and close quarter fighting techniques. Explosive movements, joint locks and breaks are a feature of Shisochin kata. It is said to have been the favorite of Miyagi Sensei in his later years.
Seipai (18 hands)
The kanji for this kata means 18 hands, and is another of the numbered forms of the shaolin. The kata has 18 types of movements. The moves contain many varied and unusual body twisting techniques and rapid, whipping techniques combined with pulling techniques requiring muchimi or heavy sticky hands. It is another of the 7 kaishu kata that were brought back to Okinawa from China by Kanryo Higaonna in 1881.
Sansairu (36 hands)
Sansairu, occasionally considered a continuation of Shisochin, means "36." It focuses on fighting in all four directions. Sanseru employs many entry, joint attacks and defenses against kicking attacks while developing low kicks and double hand techniques. It is one of the numbered forms practiced by the “Lohans,” who were superior fighters within the Shaolin monastery in China. Kanryo Higaonna brought Sanseru back to Okinawa after training in China. Several styles practice a kata with this same name; Kanbum Uechi brought back the Fujian Tiger Quanfa version to Okinawa. Ryuei-Ryu also practices Sanseiru, their kata being very similar to the Goju-ryu version. Considering that Nakaima Kenko and Miyagi Chojun were good friends, it is believed that one borrowed from the other, rather than the possibility that both descended from the same "Ryuruko." Like Shisochin, the techniques in this kata seem basic, direct and hard, however there are some unique and advanced close-in techniques. A feature of this kata is the use of morote ko uke (two handed wrist block) which has many close-in fighting applications. The kanji for Sanseiru (for which the Chinese pronunciation is used) means "36 hands" and in fact the kata has 36 movements.
Kururunfa (holding on long and striking suddenly)
The name of this quick and fast kata literally means "Forever stops, peacefulness and tearing!" Kururunfa contains a wide variety of open-hand/hip coordination techniques which can be interpreted as joint locks, blocks, strikes or any combination of the three. The use of the hips to aid hand techniques enhances both the power and effect of the joint locking and breaking techniques. Like Seisan kata, Kururunfa epitomizes the concepts of the Yin-Yang and Go-Ju by combining fast, slow, hard and soft movements. This kata was another of 7 kaishugata brought back to Okinawa from China by Kanryo Higaonna in 1881.
Sesan (13 hands)
Katas with the name "13" are practiced by many Okinawan (both Shuri and Naha) styles, as well as Fujian Quanfa styles. Believed to be one of the oldest kata on Okinawa, this kata seems to stress fundamental techniques. The kata begins like Sanchin and contains techniques aimed at dominating the opponent's centerline, and contains several low kicks. Strangely, many current Goju-Ryu organizations include this near the end of the curriculum. Sesan contains many unusual techniques and demonstrates the difference between Go (Hard) and Ju (Soft). Different versions are practiced in Shotokan (Hangetsu) and in Wado Ryu (Seishan). Sesan is believed to have been the favorite kata of Shinzato Jin'an Sensei.
Pichurin (108 hands or movements)
The most advanced and intricate kata of the Goju Ryu system. It is more commonly known by the modern name of Suparenpei. This is the longest of the 7 kaishu kata Kanryo Higaonna learned in China and has 108 movements (in China the number 108 has special significance not least of which is a very lucky number!). This kata utilizes many techniques and contains a great number of applications. Pichurin not only contains many of the techniques from earlier katas but also introduces two kicks not found in any other Goju-Ryu kata.
Sanchin (3 battles)
Sanchin means "three battles." The underlying principle is the battle between mind, soul and body. Through hard training and steady practicing, the three of them should be united. Originally this kata was taught by Sensei Higaonna with open hands (as it is still practiced in Uechi Ryu). Higaonna later changed this to clenched fists. There are two versions of Sanchin, Higaonna Kanyro Sanchin and the version developed by Miyagi Sensei. This dynamic tension and breath control exercise is the fundamental kata of Goju Ryu. Its name: San - three, Chin - battle refers to the 3 battles of mind, body and spirit. Sanchin kata originated in southern China and indeed versions of the kata are still being performed both there and in Taiwan. Many southern Chinese styles have versions of Sanchin as their basic kata, but it is with the old southern White Crane (Jap. Hakutsuru) styles that it is most often associated. Its purpose then and now is as a basic conditioning tool which supports the rest of the system. There are two versions of Sanchin kata. One is the original version as taught by Kanryo Higaonna who learned this kata in China and the other is a modified version which was developed by Chojun Miyagi. Some refer to these variations as Higaonna Sanchin and Miyagi Sanchin respectively. Although classified as a Heishugata (lit. 'closed fist' kata) Sanchin contains both open and closed hand techniques - what the term really refers to is that the body is in a constant state of tension throughout the kata - the muscles are contracted or 'closed.
Tensho (rotating palms)
Like Sanchin, this kata is a Heishugata (lit. 'closed fist' kata). However, Tensho uses mainly open hands and the term Heishugata refers to the dynamic tension with which the kata is performed. Miyagi Sensei developed this kata from his research in Fuzhou China (White Crane Style) during the period 1917 to 1921, where it was known as Rokkishu, "6 Hands or 6 machine palm," denoting the different hand positions in this kata. It is a high-level breath control and hand technique kata. Tensho combines movement with breathing, softness and tension.