The Chinese master Ason taught Zhao Ling Liu (Shorei-ryu) to Sakiyama, Gushi, Nagahama, and Tomoyori of Naha. This led to the development of Naha-te. Naha, a coastal city, was a large trade center at the time. Xie Zhongxiang (nicknamed Ryuru Ko) of Fuzhou founded Whooping Crane kung fu (hakutsuru) and taught it to a number of notable karate masters in the Fuzhou province. Wai Xinxian, it is said, was a Qing dynasty officer, and taught Xingyi kung fu as well as Monk Fist Boxing. It is also said he assisted Master Iwah's instruction in Fuzhou province.
Two separate, modern styles developed from Naha-te: Goju-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu. Goju-ryu stresses deep breathing methods (ibuki). Its kata, including Sanchin, tend to utilize dynamic tension for power training. Uechi-ryu uses a number of kata that Kanei Uechi (1877-1948) learned while in China, as well as several Goju-ryu kata. Uechi-ryu's Sanchin is done with open hands, and doesn't use the deep breathing emphasized by the Goju.
Naha-te's Chinese lineage can be seen through the influence of the forms and methods of Crane and other styles. Dragon Boxing includes the forms Seisan, Peichurrin (also known as Suparimpei), Saam Chien, and Eighteen Scholar Fists. Tiger Boxing also includes Saam Chien and Peichurrin, as well as Sanseiru and others. Arhat Boxing (Monk Fist) has Saam Chien, Seisan, Jitte, Seipai, Useishi, Peichurrin, and other forms.
While Karate was primarily organized in Shuri and Naha, Tomari originally had little direct influence. This is because, at that time, Tomari was inhabited by a simple people; it was a working class city of fishermen. Tomari had its share of notable masters, however, with Kosaku Matsumora (1829-1898), Kokan Oyadomari (1827-1905) and Gikei Yamazato (1835-1905) the most notable. They studied under Annan, as well as Ason, a Chinese sergeant.
Tomari was located near Shuri, and therefore its fighting arts developed partly under its influence. Some of the Chinese masters who taught Tomari villagers, however, did not reach Shuri. Some of these teachings did later influence Shuri-te, nonetheless, as exchanges eventually took place. Many of the kata became part of both Shuri-te and Tomari-te. Some of the kata unique to Tomari-te, however, are Wansu, Rohai, and Wankan. It is widely believed that Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945) brought the kata Ananku from Taiwan in 1895. It is said, sadly, there are other kata that have been lost over time.
It is also said in Okinawan tradition that a pirate or sailor (named Chinto, or Annan, depending on the source), was a castaway from a shipwreck on the coast. He took refuge in the graveyard of the mountains of Tomari, and later lived in a cave. Reportedly, Sokon Matsumura formulated the kata Chinto (also known as Gankaku) from the sailor's teachings. Chinto kata, of which there are more than half a dozen versions, was adopted into shuri-te. The Tomari-te chinto kata as a Chinese flair, in contrast with the simpler looking shuri-te version. Chinto kata uses straight lines of movement, and is executed with power. A one legged stance occurs many times, bearing the image of a crane poised to strike its prey. The flying kicks of this kata differentiates it from others.
Matsumora and Oyadomari apprenticed under local masters Kishin Teruya (1804-1864) and Giko Uku (1800-1850). They learned from Teruya the kata Passai, Rohai, and Wanshu, and from Uku, the kata Naifanchi. Matsumora was also versed in the jo-jutsu (short staff technique) of Jigen ryu. It is often said in Okinawan sources that Matsumora is Annan's successor. Yamazato followed Matsumora and Oyadomari, who were close friends. Both masters encouraged their students to exchange techniques and kata, furthering the development of Tomari-te. Tomari-te became a light form of fighting, with plenty of feints.
The kata Seishan is named after a well known Chinese martial artist who lived in or near Shuri circa 1700. He was associated with Takahara Perchin, a map-maker who was the first to teach Tode Sakugawa. The kata is said to be the oldest still in use, and translates to "13" or "30". The naha-te Seisan has a Chinese flair, while the shuri-te version evolved in its own way. The movements are repeated in sets of three, and has pivots and turning of the head. Toward the middle of seishan, there is a set of three double blocks that may be used as blocks to the side, block may be seen as a spear thrust to the eyes, or as an arm grab. The foot movements in seishan kata may be used to enter the opponent's legs, and break his or her balance. Hangetsu, the Japanese name for Seisan, translates to half-moon. This is taken from the sanchin stance & footwork, as well as the hand movements, which use circular paths. As with many other forms, the kata differs slightly between styles.
Author Resource:-
The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. For more information, please visit Johnston Wado ryu Karate Online.
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