A Question........

Why is there a spinning jump towards the end of this kata? Was it in the kata originally? Or was it added later as a tournament piece to make it look flashy?

If it was the first option, is it meant to add momentum to the strike as you land? Or am I taking it too literally?

OR...

Could it be that the kata can be performed in an unarmed version, and that that specific move could be used as a takedown or throw..


We've all heard of of Empty-handed kata being performed with weapons (I've seen Saifa and Tensho both practised with Sai), could this be one case of a weapons kata that could possibly be suitable as an empty-handed version?

*aside* Seiunchin done with sai looks pretty cool too */aside*
I swear the only reason for that jumpy bit is to make people like me dizzy, disoriented, and end up with sore knees!

This is true. I didn't find my left kneeecap until yesterday.

We will have to see if Tenryu no Kon works as an empty-hand form. Something to try maybe?

Would be interesting! Bastardising a bit maybe but... meh.
Question: if you aren't holding a stick in your hands while doing a stick kata, what ARE your hands doing? How do you decide what they should do? Empty hand to weapon is slightly easier.

*Oh... I think people are rolling over in their graves that we're even discussing this!*

In the kung fu style i (was) studying we had two forms which we learned one after the other. One being an empty hand form the other being a staff form. The had the same name (plus the cantonese word for staff or empty hand) and similar pattern to them. It wasn't until I had learned them both that I realised they were the same thing. So yes, I guess you could perform a karate staff kata without the staff. You just have to know what to do with your hands instead of swinging around a stick.