Introduction to Kata Seisan

Seisan is introduced to GKR students at Sandan (3rd dan) along with Sochin. It is perhaps the slowest (by way of timing) kata practiced in GKR’s curriculum. It is a strong kata that predominantly uses Sanchin dachi in combat, utilising many open hand strikes which are often seizing and grabbing techniques.

Seisan (along with Sanseryu) is a member of the Sanchin family of kata – note that the term ‘San’ (meaning three) appears in the name of each of these kata. Each kata hailing from the Sanchin family are easily recognised by their opening sequence of three forward steps in Sanchin dachi.

While the original kata (Sanchin) executes this opening sequence with absolute tension and intensity, the kata that have spawned from Sanchin execute the opening sequence with much less physical exertion. Additionally, these kata are far more complex in their use of techniques, angles and embusen (performance line). Each kata takes Sanchin’s opening sequence to not only pay homage to the original kata but to quickly illustrate that the kata uses many of the same senjutsu (combat philosophies). Just two of these include:

Senjutsu 1: Sanchin stance for close quarter combat.

Most kata promote the use of deep-rooted stances during close quarter situations as these provide us with a more stable base to wrestle from. One martial arts theory on wrestling is that he or she with the lowest belt (centre of gravity) will have the advantage in close quarter combat. Equally, most other kata use deep stances that have us on an angle from our opponent whereas the Sanchin kata have us predominantly square on to our opponent.

Note this senjutsu clearly illustrates why kata of the Sanchin family are high grade and very advanced kata. Despite the basic pattern being easier to learn than many lower grade kata, and less demanding (physically), the ability to successfully apply their combat principles in combat is far more difficult.

Senjutsu 2: Move forward at all times.

The ideology of, no matter what, marching forward through an opponent irrespective of whether striking, blocking, grappling, locking up etc. Successfully applying this senjutsu in actual combat requires not only the right physical skills, but a determined and confident mental attitude.

The Sanchin kata aim to prepare a practitioner both physically and mentally for this ideology. 
In general terms, a karate-ka’s goal is to distance themselves from their opponent during combat. This is because a karate-ka will have a distinct advantage whenever distance exists between them and their opponent. Some kata have us move back after striking, others focus on ‘upgrading’ our position by moving to a new angle (behind or beside them). These are a stark contrast to the Sanchin kata whereby we march forwards, and right over the top of our opponent.

These kata also prepare us both mentally and physically to absorb blows during combat. It’s worth noting that moving forward into an opponent while blocking means that even if the block is unsuccessful, the strike absorbed will have reduced power because our moving forward prevents the strike from reaching full momentum.

GKR Karate – Seisan

Seisan History

Many regard Seisan to be the oldest existing form in Okinawan karate. It is unique because it is perhaps the only traditional form that was practiced in all three major Okinawa styles; Shuri-te, Tomari-te and Naha-te. Variations of Seisan can be found in almost every major ryuha (style) and no-one can truly say that their version is the true correct version.

Both well-loved and well-researched, there are multiple theories on Seisan’s origins which lead to one thing – debate – and with no written Okinawan records to clarify any theory 100%, people can only speculate best on the evidence they can accumulate.

There are varying schools of thought relating to Seisan’s name. To begin, let’s look at the formation of most karate kata. Many of the old masters of Okinawa-te would travel to live and train in China. There they would learn Chinese forms and bring these back to Okinawa, reshaping stances, hand techniques and movements to suit them to their indigenous style. In essence they were taking the best of Okinawa-te and Kung-fu to create the first styles of kara-te. Seisan however is believed by many to be its true Chinese name as Tiger Style Qu’an-fa (Tora kenpo) still has a form called Seisan, though it is much longer and more complex than all Okinawan versions. Believers of this theory back it up by the fact that a number of Okinawan masters who traveled to China all ended up teaching it under the same name back in Okinawa and all had a very similar embusen (lines of movement).

The Lineage They Put Forth Is As Follows

Bushi Matsumura

In the mid 1800’s Bushi Matsumura studied in China and there is a version of Seisan attributed to him (Shuri-te).

Kanryo Hiagonna

In the late1800’s Kanryo Hiagonna studied in China and the Goju Ryu, To’on Ryu and Shito Ryu Seisan traditions are all attributed to his teachings.

Kanbun Uechi

In the late 1800’s, Kanbun Uechi (founder of Uechi-Ryu) studied in China and the
Uechi-Ryu Sesian traditions are attributed to his teachings.

This seems very plausible but there are many who disagree strongly and bring heat to the debate of this great kata. These researchers claim that Seisan (or Seishan) has no relation to the tiger form of the same name and was actually named by Okinawans, naming the kata after a famous Chinese martial artist who lived on the island of Okinawa around 1700 and practiced the kata there. It is said that he was one of the greatest karate men of that era.

They not only back this theory up, they raise some doubt to the other popular theory. Prior to the Okinawan masters traveling to China, each was proficient in Okinawan-te and could easily have learnt the kata prior to their pilgrimage.

Take the Shuri-te lineage of Seisan that is credited to Bushi Matsumura. Matsumura did study in China as stated above, but the kata is linked back to astronomer and map-maker Takahara Perchin. Takahara was the first teacher of ‘Tode’ Sakugawa (Matsumura’s first master in Okinawa). This implies that Matsumura learnt the kata long before traveling to China – therefore possibly linking it back to the man, Seisan (Seishan).

Now take the Naha-te lineage of the kata credited to Kanryo Higaonna. After training in China he formed Naha-te and introduced to this style many of the kata we practice in Go-Kan-Ryu). Prior to Higaonna’s travels, his Okinawan instructor (master Seisho Aragaki) was already teaching him Seisan kata in Okinawa. Aragaki was a member of the aristocracy and a close confidant of the Ryukyu King. This meant he was in regular contact with Bushi Matsumura and they most likely trained together. It is probable that Aragaki either learnt the kata from Matsumura (as we know Matsumura’s lineage with this kata) or that Aragaki already knew his version and they exchanged ideas.

So when one considers the age of kata Seisan, it is most likely that they all learnt the kata prior to their studies in China.

There is also debate over the interpretation of the Japanese translation of Seisan. The Japanese kanji is made up of two figures, the first ‘Sei’ translating as ‘10’ and the second ‘San’ as ‘3’. So it is generally translated as ‘13’ (the number for good luck in China) or as ’10 hands and 3’, symbolizing 10 fighting sequences where most techniques are repeated 3 times.

Yet with this in mind, two things must be noted: Firstly, Kata were not written in kanji until they reached Japan, so no-one can say if the Japanese name or translation is correct. Secondly, there are two popular kanji interpretations, both with different translations. This is not uncommon in kata, as Seiunchin for example has four majorly different kanji interpretations, each with a different meaning.

As previously mentioned, Seisan heavily utilises sequences of techniques repeated three times. It has a broad range of hard and soft techniques, representing a complete arsenal of punching, kicking, striking, locking, throwing and strangling. Unusual techniques are included, and it includes releases (hazushi waza) from bear hugs and body holds.

Many of the applications of Seisan are really quite brutal. This is not a punch/kick/block kata. The techniques in this kata range from locks and holds, to nerve strikes and even a couple of examples of a rarely employed technique that is similar to what modern street fighters might call ‘fish-hooking’
Final note: Gichin Funakoshi (of Shuri-te lineage) who introduced karate to Japan changed the name of Seisan to Hangetsu (also a kata of Go-Kan-Ryu) for his Shotokan style. While the name was changed, by this time, the Shuri-te lineage of this kata had also greatly changed the techniques, embusen (performance lines) and even stances.