Sanseru (san-say-ru)
Some people also spell it Sanseiru
Meaning: 36 HandsThere are differences of opinion as to where the meaning comes from.
108 is a special number in Budhism and 36 = 108/3
Uchinada-kan (Goju Kai) suggests that the numerical designation may have it's roots in Budhism.They also suggest that a more realistic explanation of this and the other numerically named Kata is that they refer to a systematic method and understanding of certain groupings of vital acupressure points.
108 is a special number in Budhism and 36 = 108/3
Uchinada-kan (Goju Kai) suggests that the numerical designation may have it's roots in Budhism.They also suggest that a more realistic explanation of this and the other numerically named Kata is that they refer to a systematic method and understanding of certain groupings of vital acupressure points.
My thoughts on the kata
- The movements are quite linear and direct, much like Gekisai Dai Ichi and Ni but with the emphasis more on taking the opponent to the ground than attack and smash
- It involves close quarter strikes and takedowns
- It often involves quite brutal strikes to the joints
- It involves breaking the opponents balance and structure
- It is found in Chinese systems of Crane, Tiger and Dog.
- Often described as a Dragon kata
- In DKK we do a successive double mae-geri in the kata but many associations use a double tobi mae geri. This appears to be a difference emanating from the different goju karate-ka that succeeded Chojun Miyagi. Eiichi Miyazato (whose lineage DKK follows) preferred the successive mae geri.
- The kata ends with the Inu no kamae (dog posture) which doesn't seem to fit with the general feel of the rest of the kata. It is a much more subtle technique and more difficult to perform than the direct linear strikes in the rest of the kata.
Some interesting YouTube clips
Sensei Morio Higaonna performing the kata in the 1970s
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Sensei Paul Coleman (of Oxford karate academy) performing the kata
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This clip is interesting as the karate is working on the morote tsuki at 1:27 and it's the first time I've found a clip demonstrating the kata the way I have been taught it. The clip is part of training notes from a seminar with Taira Masaji Sensei (formally of the Jundokan and a student of Eiichi Miyazato)
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This is Part 2 of the seminar on Sanseru kata and bunkai. Taira Sensei is very fluid in his movements and seems to move in a way that looks familiar.
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