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Class Format
While each class at Renseikan Dojo is a unique experience, every class follows a basic pattern or format. Students should be familiar with the etiquette of the dojo (dojo rules)
When arriving at the dojo, all students and visitors remove their shoes and hats when entering the building. Students should let the sensei (teacher) know they have arrived by greeting him or her with a bow (rei). Students should also check the bulletin boards, which will carry notices about new events and other dojo-related information.
After changing into their dogi (uniform), students bow onto the mats and warm up and practice their karate until the start of class. The first student on the mats is responsible for sweeping the mats in preparation for class. Getting to the dojo early is encouraged - lateness is not a quality in keeping with the practice of karate-do.
At the start of class, students are called to line up (shugo) and take their positions at the back of the dojo, seated in seiza (kneeling/zazen (meditation position)). The most senior student (sempai) instructs the others to begin their zazen/meditation (moku so) with three strokes of the gong or with a verbal command. The sensei bows onto the mats and takes his or her place at the front of the dojo, facing the shinden (front) and joins the students in zazen. Zazen usually lasts 10 - 15 minutes and the sensei signals the end either with three strokes of the gong, or with verbal instruction (mokuso yame).
Immediately following the end of the zazen/meditation, the sensei and the class participate in ritual bowing, both to the shinden and to the sensei. The sensei begins the bowing by saying "shinden taishi harai", which means show respect to the shinden (the past and origins of Karate-Do) with a bow. The sensei then turns to face the class, and the senior student calls out "sensei ni taishite rei", which instructs the class to bow to the sensei to show their respect. During this bow, the sensei says "keiko hajimeru", indicating that the class will being, and the students respond by asking to be taught ("Onegaishimasu").
All students take their places in rows facing the shinden, with the senior students (sempai) at the front so that the junior students (kohai) can watch them and copy their movements. (Late students).
The class begins with the standard warm-up, followed by the Kihon Undo and the Kiso Tanren. There may be slight variations, depending on the level of the students in the class and the specific lesson for that class. Students will also practice other kicks and blocks and strikes with partners (sotai) and solo (tandoku).
The students then practice Kata, the pre-arranged series of movements integral to karate-do. They also practice the bunkai (application) for these kata and Yakusoku Kumite (a series of seven kumite sets developed by Nagamine Shoshin Sensei). Other forms of practice include goshin waza (self-defense movements) and Kobudo (weapons).
Each class will almost always emphasize the eighteen Matsubayashi-Ryu Kata. Kata is the mainstay of traditional martial arts and the one true and safe way to practice maximum power in all techniques.
At the end of the class, students usually do a series of exercises which include push-ups, abdominal exercises, leg exercises and stretching. The students are then instructed to line up (shugo) for a short period of zazen/meditation (mokuso) to reflect on the lesson, which ends when the sensei says, "mokuso yame". Ritual bowing also ends every class. As at the start of class, the sensei instructs everyone to show respect to the shinden ("shinden taishi Harai"), then turns to face the class. The senior student instructs everyone to show respect to the sensei ("sensei ni taishite rei"). During this bow the sensei says "keiko owaru", meaning, the class is over, to which the students reply "arigato gozaimashita" (thank you).
The sensei leaves the mats, bows and thanks the students ("arigato gozaimashita"). The senior student then says, "class dismissed", at which point the students take the time to bow to each other and say thank you for the training they did together. One of the sempai will let the students know if there are any important dojo-related matters which may require their attention. The students then usually do a quick 5 minute clean up of the dojo and other rooms (this often includes cleaning the mats). This after-class group effort keeps the dojo clean for everyone's mutual benefit.
Warm Up
The following series of warm up exercises are followed each class with only minor variations, when felt required by the sensei.
Kihon Undo
During Kihon Undo we concentrate on several single motions from the 18 Matsubayashi-Ryu kata. We alternate between defense and attack movements.
Kiso Tanren
The Kiso Tanren are foundation drill exercises and are done without stepping. The emphasis is on challenging oneself to get better at these basic movements. There are many techniques to practice, here are just some of them.
10 to 50 counts of each.
Kyu Requirements
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GOKYU (5th kyu - Yellow Belt):
| Kihon | Kata | Misc. |
| Jodan Uke Uchi Uke Soto Uke Gedan Uke Chudan Zuki Gyaku Zuki Mae Geri Yoko Geri Mawashi Geri Ushiro Geri |
Fukyugata I Fukyugata II Yakusoku Kumite I Yakusoku Kumite II Fukyugata Ichi Kata no Bunkai Fukyugata Ni Kata no Bunkai |
Shiko-Dachi Zenkutsu-Dachi Shizentai-Dachi Terminology Self Defense Techniques I-IV Minimum training 3 months Increase in physical fitness level |
YONKYU (4th kyu - Orange Belt):
| Kihon | Kata | Misc. |
| Shuto Uke Tetsui Uke Nukite Hangetsu Barai Ushiro Geri Tenkan |
Pinan Shodan Pinan Nidan Yakusoku Kumite III Pinan Shodan Kata no Bunkai Pinan Nidan Kata no Bunkai | Kosa-Dachi Neko-Ashi-Dachi Han-Neko-Ashi-Dachi Terminology Self Defense Techniques V-VIII Minimum training 6 months Increase in physical fitness level |
SANKYU (3rd kyu - Green Belt):
| Kihon | Kata | Misc. |
| Hiji Uke Haito Uke Yoko-Mawashi Uke Uraken Kaku Tsuki |
Pinan Sandan Naihanchi Shodan Yakusoku Kumite IV Pinan Sandan Kata no Bunkai | Naihanchi-Dachi Naihanchi Fumikomi Kake Geri Terminology Self Defense Techniques IX-XII Minimum training 12 months Increase in physical fitness level |
| Kihon | Kata | Misc. |
| All techniques used in the Kata | Pinan Yondan Naihanchi Nidan Yakusoku Kumite V Pinan Yondan Kata no Bunkai | Spinning Hook Kick Mae Tobi Geri Terminology Bunkai for basic kata Kobudo Suburi (one weapon) Minimum training 12 months Increase in physical fitness level |
| Kihon | Kata | Misc. |
| All techniques used in Kata | Pinan Godan Naihanchi Sandan Yakusoku Kumite VI Yakusoku Kumite VII Pinan Godan Kata no Bunkai | Gyaku Zenkutsu-Dachi Yoko Tobi Geri Mawashi Tobi Geri Terminology Kobudo Suburi (two weapons) Self-Defense Minimum training 12 months Increase in physical fitness level |
SHODAN (1st dan - Black Belt):
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| In addition to the examination, each candidate must complete 50 hours of assistant teaching hours in the children's class prior to the examination. Please see Sensei for further details |
Kata
Fukyugata ("Promotional Kata"):
Fukyugata I was created by Master Shoshin Nagamine in 1941 and Fukyugata II by the Master of Goju-Ryu,
Chojun Miyagi. These two introductory kata were originally requested to be created by a special
committee of all the Okinawan Karate-Do Association organized and summoned by the governor of
Okinawa at that time, Mr. Gen Hayakawa. The reason for the inception of these two introductory kata
was to allow beginners and school children to approach Karate practice in the most lenient way
possible.
Pinan: ("Peace")
Pinan I through V were created by Anko Itosu in 1907 and were intended to be practiced by high school
students as an integral part of the regular curriculum.
Naihanchi: ("Horse Riding Kata")
The composer of Naihanchi Shodan through Sandan is unknown. These ancient kata were the introductory
ones to Karate for beginners before the Fukyugata and Pinan kata were composed.
Ananku:
The composer of this kata is unknown. The characteristic of this kata is noted by the lunging
stances for defensive and offensive movements.
Wankan (Okan) ("King's Crown"):
The composer of this kata is unknown also, but it has a long history. This kata was practiced mostly
in Tomari Village. The characteristics of this kata are its elegance combined with powerful movements
of attack and defense sequences.
Rohai:
The composer of this kata is also unknown, but it has a long history as well. This kata also was
mostly practiced in the village of Tomari. The characteristic of this kata is the one-foot stances
where the other foot is drawn to deliver a quick snap-kick. It is a short kata but is very elegant
looking.
Wanshu:
It is believed that this kata was brought to Okinawa in 1683 by a Chinese envoy named Wanshu; but
later, this kata was reformed and developed by Karate men of Tomari Village. The characteristic of
this kata is the execution of hidden fist punches.
Passai:
The composer of this kata is also unknown. The characteristic of this kata is the execution of
knife-hand techniques. This kata was the favorite of many Karate men of Tomari Village.
Gojushiho (literally "54 Steps"):
The composer of this kata is also unknown. Goju-Shi-Ho literally means 54 steps. The characteristics
of this kata are the spear-hand thrust and the resemblance of a drunken man's movements.
Chinto:
The com.poser of this kata is unknown. The characteristics of this kata are the execution of a flying
kick, and every movement is composed in a diagonally straight line.
Kusanku:
This kata was adopted and developed by Okinawan Karate men after it was brought to Okinawa in 1761
by a Chinese Martial Artist named Kusanku. This kata is the most magnificent and advanced kata of
all Matsubayashi Ryu Karate. It is also the longest and most difficult kata, requiring painstaking
practice for more than a decade for mastery.
Yakusoku Kumite
The Yakusoku Kumite graphics below are from the WMKA Web Site of which this Dojo is a full member. If the animated characters are not running, clear your cache and reload the page.
Ipponme (Number one):
Nihonme (Number two):
Sambonme (Number three):
Yohonme (Number four):
Gohonme (Number five):
Ropponme(Number six):
Nanahonme (Number seven):
Niju Shichi Waza
The first series of movements taught in the children classes is called "Niju Shichi Waza", which means Twenty-Seven movements. It is an exercise that we treat as the first kata, because it helps students memorize basic karate hand techniques and practice the most fundamental karate stance - shiko-dachi (straddle stance or horse stance). I encourage all adults who participate in the children's classes to learn this basic kata as well. It is an excellent training tool and emphasizes both left and right hands equally.
Below is the order of techniques. All techniques are done in shiko-dachi and start with
your left hand:
| 1 & 2 | Jodan uke - hidari | Jodan uke - migi |
| 3 & 4 | Uchi uke - hidari | Uchi uke - migi |
| 5 & 6 | Soto uke - hidari | Soto uke - migi |
| 7 & 8 | Gedan uke - hidari | Gedan uke - migi |
| 9 & 10 | Chudan zuki - hidari (kiai) | Chudan zuki - migi (kiai) |
| 11 & 12 | Side punch - hidari | Side punch - migi |
| 13 & 14 | Punch over shoulder - hidari | Punch over shoulder - migi |
| 15 & 16 | Mae Hiji ate - hidari | Mae Hiji ate - migi |
| 17 & 18 | Shuto uchi - hidari | Shuto uchi - migi |
| 19 & 20 | shotei - hidari | shotei - migi |
| 21 & 22 | yoko hiji ate - hidari | mawashi hiji ate - hidari |
| 23 & 24 | yoko hiji ate - migi | mawashi hiji ate - migi |
| 25 & 26 | Ushiro hiji ate - hidari | Ushiro hiji ate - migi |
| 27 | Juji uke | re-chamber fists |
Late Students
(1) If you arrive after class has started: Change and warm up quickly in the changeroom,
then proceed to the entry point of the mats. Bow onto the mats and sit in seiza. Wait for
the sensei to invite you into the class. Once invited, take a position at the back of the
class (regardless of your rank) and join the class.
(2) If you arrive after everyone has lined up but before the class has started: Change
quickly. If the sensei is not seated on the mats, bow onto the mats and take a vacant
position in the line up of students, walking behind the other students, who will have
already begun their meditation. If the sensei is already on the mats, bow onto the mats
and take a position behind the first person (in a second row) sitting in meditation in seiza.
This way you will not disturb the formal meditation by trying to find a spot in the line.