Every so often I'm asked “What is the correct way to do
Hangetsu-dachi?” So, today I will address that Question; furthermore, I’ll
share some key points I’ve learned (here in Japan, over the years) from the very BEST OF THE BEST!
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| Oliver Schömburg Sensei (3rd Dan Germany), and myself, practicing Hangetsu Kata. |
Before I do that, I want to point out that: (a) what I am writing here today is not
my opinion or unique methodology; (b) also, that this method is not a new ‘way’
adopted/evolved by the mainstream organizations here in Japan; and (c) that
this IS 'the HANGETSU DACHI' handed down from Master's Funakoshi
Gichin, Nakayama Masatoshi, and Asai Tetsuhiko.
With these experts in mind I also need to apologize in advance that I am qualifying this post today 'via name dropping'; however, the Hangetsu-dachi
which I practice and teach is the original (which was previously
taught in Shotokan as Seishan-dachi) and this really needs to be
clarified. Otherwise, there is no reason for me to write and publish
this article. It is gift for you: the reader.
What’s ironic here is that we are preserving the original
Seishan stance as most styles and, indeed, Shotokan organizations have
extensively altered it. Just to clarify, the only alteration I make (from the
original form) is the use of the name ‘Hangetsu-dachi’ as opposed to its original
label of ‘Seishan’. In other words, I simply use the ‘Shotokan
label’, which utilizes mainstream Japanese. Accordingly, I'll adhere to this term
throughout this article.
The original ‘Hangetsu-Dachi’
半月立
(Hangetsu-dachi), meaning the ‘half-moon stance’ is an
intermediate tachikata between zenkutsu-dachi and
sanchin-dachi. Its forward and rearward strides are similar to zenkutsu-dachi,
however, the inward tension on the knees are closer to that of sanchin;
hence, it is categorized as an ‘inside tension stance’. Don't be confused by this term! Simply know that the pressure goes to the sokuto/outside 'sword' edges of both feet, and the knee and thighs lightly squeeze inward. This dynamic heightens the awareness of 'centralization' and allows the karateka to maximize switching between the three main axis's to optimize explosiveness.
Whilst it is used
for both defensive and offensive actions it is more often used for
defense ("...due to its configurations to naturally cover up then launch
explosive counterattacks).
Over the years here in Japan I have been taught that
Hangetsu dachi is a natural position for absorbing blows whilst maintaining
balance.
Furthermore, as eluded above, a transitional stage in unsoku/movement. This point highlights that rather than being ‘fixed
positions’, in actuality, they are in fact “key points in the transition of the center
in conjunction with the optimal application of techniques”.
Returning to the classical description of hangetsu-dachi
above and we can readily visualize one defending in sanchin-dachi then
transitioning through hangetsu-dachi into zenkutsu-dachi (or fudo-dachi)
to make a counterattack. Alternatively one might, say, contract into
hangetsu-dachi and make an immediate counter from there; or expand for a
larger scale waza. Irrespective of its use, the natural and optimal use
of the human body—in real world self-defense—is the point of all karate ‘stances’
and techniques in general. This immediately brings to mind the
old adage: “if
it’s not broken, don’t fix it”.
So, let’s look at the exact Hangetsu-dachi as demonstrated by
Nakayama Sensei. This was the original Seishan dachi learned by
Funakoshi Sensei, and came to the IKS (International Karate Shotokan) via Asai
Sensei, and other prominent students of Master Nakayama; thus, in a direct line from Funakoshi Sensei and, in particular, Masters Itosu, Azato and Matsumura.
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| The original seishan-dachi (HANGETSU-DACHI) demonstrated by Nakayama Sensei |
Some instructors from Japanese organizations have tried to
correct my stances based on their respective groups changes to them.
This has included my hangetsu-dachi. They have said things like:
“That’s not correct now, that’s the old way!” and/or “The organization
has updated the stance”.
The first scenario I take as a great compliment, as I don’t
want to be
'swayed by the wind of ever-changing karate trends’. In the second
scenario, I always ask “so, why the update of the stance?” When I ask
this question, the answer is always unclear (or includes what I can only describe as 'plastic bunkai'); thus, immediately indicating
the changes are, at best, cosmetic fluff.
In this regard, many times Nakamura Masamitsu Sensei has told me "... not to change my karate to the 'new style' and
continue follow Nakayama Sensei’s way”. Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei has also consistently stressed “The recent changes to the kata have
not only been unnecessary but 'have negatively compromised' the unique characteristics of Shotokan”.
To conclude, for an overview of Hangetsu kata, here's a direct link: André Bertel's Karate-Do: HANGETSU KATA (andrebertel.blogspot.com)
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).
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