半月立ち (HANGETSU-DACHI)

 半月立ち (HANGETSU-DACHI)

立ち方  (Tachikata)

Originally known as Seishan-dachi, the Hangetsu-dachi (the ‘half- moon stance’) is a mix of zenkutsu-dachi and sanchin-dachi. The length is slightly less than zenkutsu-dachi, however the weight distribution is the same. The foot positions are similar to sanchin-dachi with the knees inverted and bent (inward tension of the thighs. Contrastingly, there is outside tension with the feet: as the outside edges (足刀 Sokuto) of both feet must be firmly on the ground. When rotating the hips to execute various waza, the legs and feet formation remain set.

Some instructors and Shotokan organizations now teach a more linear version of the stance; furthermore, execute all waza without rotational changes between hanmi and shomen, and vice versa.

While I respect this variation, IKS (International Karate Shotokan) has not adopted this contemporary method; accordingly, we are continuing to practice 腰の回転 (koshi no kaiten) in Hangetsu Kata and in its respective 応用 (Oyo). I personally asked Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei about hanmi in Hangetsu and he firmly stated: “…continue following the guidelines set by Nakayama [Masatoshi] Sensei.” (Please note the link below, to another article, where Osaka Sensei gave me other commentary about Hangetsu).

半月立ちの運足 (Hangetsu dachi no unsoku)

Moving in all directions, in Hangetsu-dachi, always employs crescent steps. These arcs are coordinated with various hips actions and kokyu (breathing).

半月立ちの応用  (Hangetsu dachi no oyo)

Hangetsu-dachi is primarily a defensive and counterattacking position; that being said, it possesses an attacking element: 足掛け (ashi-gake). This is the traditional application of foot/leg hooking or grape vining. This can be used to trap, sweep, distract and/or off balance the opponent.

To conclude, Hangetsu-dachi provides a means to reconsider stance lengths and depths, in which Shotokan are characteristically long/wide and low. In particular, it allows one to re-examine their zenkutsu-dachi via moderation. In this way, one can more readily form a zenkutsu-dachi—in which the configurations are based on optimal mechanics—as opposed to mere athleticism.

Last but not least, like Sanchin dachi, movements in Hangetsu-dachi harmonize unsoku, waza and kokyu. While this is the case in all stances, slow actions in this position help to master this timing. This elucidates the maxim that all of the formal tachikata of Karate, in reality, are in fact ‘active transitory positions.'

For more on this stance, here is a direct link to another article: André Bertel's Karate-Do: 半月立 (Hangetsu-dachi): The original version (andrebertel.blogspot.com)

©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).