Koten-gata: 舞鶴小 (Maizuru Sho)

Movement 8 of Maizuru Sho. Hidari nakadaka ippon-ken jodan ura-zuki (Hidari ashi mae fudo-dachi).

Movement 59 of Maizuru Sho: Migi fuse ushiro-geri kekomi.

I decided that my self-training today would be focused on a single kata, its respective kihon, oyo and the form itself. 

My selection was the  Koten-gata, 舞鶴小 (Maizuru Sho).

Movement 3 of Maizuru Sho: Migi koko jodan gyaku-zuki (Hidari ashi mae sanchin-dachi).

Movement 60 of Maizuru Sho: Here I'm making a mistake. Migi ashi mae tatehiza-dachi and Hidari tateken chudan gyaku-zuki is correct; however, the fist should be a vertical Nakadaka Ippon-Ken.

Like Maizuru Dai, the movements between outside and inside tension stances is a theme, also the use of various 'karada no buki' against anatomically vulnerable targets. Whilst Dai focuses more on Ippon-ken, Sho utilizes Nakadaka Ippon-Ken.

Movement 22 of Maizuru Sho: Hidari tekubi kake-uke (Migi ashi mae zawan-dachi)

The balance required in Maizuru Sho is far more difficult as there are many movements not found in the standard Shotokan kata, nor the more commonly practiced Koten-gata. This makes these two kata highly valuable for senior ranked karateka to increase their technical skill.

Movement 2 of Maizuru Sho: Hidari shuto tateotoshi-uchi.

Movement 49 of Maizuru Sho: Hidari hiza-geri, Ryo sho koshi.

Movement 5 of Maizuru Sho: Migi shuto tateotoshi uchi (Migi ashi mae fudo-dachi).

Today's practice was both challenging and enjoyable. My body is tired after the session but, like the other 'Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu' Kata, the movements are natural and healthy for the body. 

This is not only good for one's muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints, but it also means the actions can GENERATE MORE POWER!

Movement 21 of Maizuru Sho: Kaisho manji-uke (Migi sagiashi-dachi)

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).