This text is not concerned with minor style differences (comments are of course given with regard to different styles & approaches) as one must remember that as little as 100 years ago the modern karate styles did not exist. Therefore, the focus of this text is on a core embusen (pattern) of the kata Seienchin and its applications - which are style universal & is applicable to Goju, Shito-ryu, Kyokushin & Okinawan styles that work this classic karate kata.

There as an architectural maxim that says form follows function. Many in the modern karate world interpreting kata take the form and try to fit function around the stylized motion i.e. they are having function follow form.

Originally the kata were formed as icons to archive self defense scenarios and therefore were created on the basis of form following function.

A further irony surrounding Kata is that many people in the martial arts, and Western fighting systems, point to Karate Kata and say that it has nothing to do with real world fighting - when it is in fact Japanese Karate's real tie to full contact street encounters.

About the author:

Shihan Jason Armstrong, Ph.D. and 6th Dan, has lived in Japan with a Karate master, and has also competed at national and international kumite & at events, in Australian & Pacific championships, US championships, and in Japan.  While living in the USA and Japan he made extensive efforts to cross-train with senior Goju, Shotokan and Okinawan sensei.

Jason has a doctorate in studies of the medical effects of spaceflight (from Kansas State University and the NASA Center for the Commercial Development of Space) and a Master degree in Endocrinology (University ofQueensland).

He has been using the kata Seienchin at competitve levels for over 20 years and continues to today.

The supprting editors include:

Bartholomay Kyoshi 7th Dan, Shito-ryu
Young Sensei, 7th Dan Shotokan
Edwards Sensei, 4th dan Shito-ryu
Ed Mundy, 3rd Dan Shotokan
A. Wetherspoon, 2nd Dan Shito-ryu
G. Scovell, (over 30 years Kyokushin & Shito-ryu)

Sample page 83:

Sample page 69:

Sample page 64:

Sample page 65:

A detailed 154 page book on the history, philosophy, anatomy and physiology around the kata and applciations of Seienchin (seyunchin, seienshin, seiunchin).

The Book is available as a high-res PDF document download or paperback in black & white print.

ISBN 978-1-4092-3733-4

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