Isshinryu and Naihanchi Kata - Consider Motobu's Influence

Naifanchi Kata is somewhat a question to understand for its source  in Isshinryu Karate,  its historical origins. Exactly where did Shimabuku Tatso come up with his version?

The kata does not seem to have been taught by Kyan Chotoku. I believe the principle instructor of Shinabuku Tatsuo. However, today, many of Kyan’s students student’s branches use the form, but, as I understand it, their versions of Nihanchi Kata all came from different sources. Obviously those that adopted it felt it is important

Perhaps this is a proof that Motobu Choki was an instructor of Isshinyyu’s founder and the source behind Isshinryu;s version of Nihanchi Kata.

One of the more perplexing issues with this theory  is Motobu Choki, in his early book on Karate, was against the idea of the inward toed stance writing that it was too weak.  Some Isshinryu lineages use this stance,. Just because of those writings its not to say in time his opinion changed. as time passed

That makes it difficult to accept Motobu is the source. I just found this on Youtube and am linking you to it. It is Motobu no  Naihanchi Shodan - Motobu, the son of Motovu Choki.  Note how similar to how Isshinryu Nihanchi Kata begins. I note that on the Japanese video of his father’s art Motobu Chōsei also shows a class with Naihanchi Kata beginning on the right.




I suggest it implies that the direction didn't matter in the Motobu Choki tradition, just the practice of the kata. So perhaps this is sort of proof for Motobu. Sort of makes sense for the kata is covers the same ground no matter which way you start.

So perhaps he was inspired by Motobu's training, and then Shimabutu Tatsuo used his own ideas to re-craft the form.

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https://ameblo.jp/motoburyu/entry-12678854938.html?fbclid=IwAR27Tcm5Xf52oQh1ClVUpnQUbi312yoyEAFntXdvoX0VE1rZp5eiWzrwBt4

Nami-gaeshi of Old Style Naihanchi

2021-06-05

Translated by Motobu Naoki

 

*The original article was written in January 2020.

 

In Naihanchi Shodan, there are several movements in which one foot (leg) is kicked toward the other foot. It is commonly called "nami-gaeshi" (returning wave).

 

Nami-gaeshi

 

As shown in the photo above, nami-gaeshi is usually performed twice in a row from the position of Naihanchi-dachi (stance). In this case, both arms are in the form of yoko-uke (side block).

 

However, in the old style Naihanchi, nami-gaeshi was performed more often. I once wrote an article titled "A Prototype of Naihanchi?" In that article, I introduced an old style Naihanchi that was passed down from Motobu Chōyū to his second son, Motobu Chōmo. In this Naihanchi, nami-gaeshi is inserted during the transition from kōsa-dachi (crossing stance) to Naihanchi-dachi.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUWgI3h5J8o&t=10s

 

I had never seen any other naihanchi with a nami-gaeshi at this point before. However, Yabiku Motoku's Naihanchi, which I introduced at the end of last year, also has a nami-gaeshi inserted after the kōsa-dachi.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boqaxT6oFh0&t=4s

 

 

The video above was uploaded by Andreas Quast Sensei, who took out only the Naihanchi part from the original video. At about 2 seconds into the video, the words nami-gaeshi and haishu-uchi are written in red.
 

There is also a scene in the original video where only the Naihanchi steps are performed. There, too, a nami-gaeshi is inserted after the kōsa-dachi (0:41-).

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1EjUw8enyg&t=2s

 

 

Yabiku Mōtoku was one year older than Tōyama Kanken at the Okinawa Prefectural Normal School. In his books, Tōyama shows pictures of Naihanchi, but the nami-gaeshi is the same as that of a typical Naihanchi.

 

If Yabu Kentsū initially taught Naihanchi with a lot of nami-gaeshi, and then changed it in the middle, when did this happen?

 

The term of study at the Normal School was four years. According to the linked website, Yamauchi Seihin entered the Okinawa Prefectural Normal School in 1908, when Yabiku was in the 4th grade and Tōyama was in the 3rd grade. Therefore, the year they entered the school is as follows.

 

1905: Yabiku Mōtoku
1906: Tōyama Kanken
1907
1908, Yamauchi Seihin

 

This means that nami-gaeshi in Naihanchi was most likely modified around 1906.

 

However, there is one question. The number of nami-gaeshi is generally reduced today, not only in the Naihanchi of the Okinawa Prefectural Normal School, but also in other lineages of Naihanchi. It is also possible, therefore, that this omission was made much earlier, and that Yabiku Motoku was specially taught the old style of Naihanchi.

 

In any case, this old Naihanchi was preserved until the generation of Motobu Chōyū and Yabu Kentsū who knew the old style Shuri-te.