Gojushiho-Dai

Meikyo

There are two kata in the Shotokan system called Gojushiho. There is a Sho version and a Dai version. The two kata called Gojushiho are rightly paired together. They are so obviously related that only a few techniques within each is really different from the other. The enbusen is the same, the fundamental techniques are extremely similar. The Gojushiho kata are two different interpretations of the same kata.

The name Gojushiho means "54 Steps" or "54 Directions." Like Nijushiho, Seipai, Seisan, and other kata, this is another one that has a number for a name. How unoriginal.

五十四方大

Gojushiho-Dai – “54 Steps” or “54 Directions”

Gojushiho-Dai

Gojushiho were, and still are, called Useishi on Okinawa. Useishi is the number 54 in the Okinawan dialect of Japanese. The kata were renamed by Funakoshi to Hotaku, which is Japanese for a woodpecker bird. The idea for the name comes from the pecking motion that is in both of the kata near the end where the performer strikes with the forehead in a snapping, woodpecker reminiscent action. Like Funakoshi's attempts to rename Jiin and Sochin, this name didn't stick and is kept around only as a trivia item. It's too bad the name didn't stick. Woodpeckers are prettier than numbers.

Matsumura Sokon

Gojushiho Dai and Sho are believed to have been created by Matsumura Sokon, the great kata creator and modifier who supposedly grew up with Sakugawa in Tomari City. Matsumura is frequently referred to as Bushi Matsumura, as it was his nick-name. Bushi means "Warrior." Matsumura Sokon is credited with creating a large number of kata, and some karate historians, if you can call them that, say that Matsumura was the very center of kata creation on Okinawa. There is a legend that Gojushiho was his finest and final creation - intended to be the last kata in his system of Tode. These kata are fairly long, are reasonably difficult enough to spare from intermediate students, and are widely practiced and performed. Although not enjoying the limelight that Sochin and Unsu are right now, Gojushiho Dai and Sho are regularly seen at tournaments, and they often capture very high level awards in kata competition.

Cool Technique Names

Some interesting techniques in the kata include the Flowing Cloud Block, the Flowing Water Back Fist Posture, and the Chicken Head Wrist Block. The Flowing Cloud Block is executed by moving the right hand from front to side in a smooth, guiding motion. Performed properly, the block allows a champion Karate player to display their timing and skill. However, as in the case of most impressive techniques, when a mediocre performer tries it, they are equally shown to be lacking by this extremely visually demanding technique. The Flowing Back Fist Posture begins both kata, and is very beautiful to look at as well.

The Chicken Head Wrist Block appears in both kata, but more so in the more advanced of the two. This technique involves pointing the index finder, folding the other fingers at the second joint, and blocking by raise the hand and using the space behind the thumb as a striking surface. Stranger than the block is its name, which in the US generally causes some shaking heads and a smile or two.

Directions for Gojushiho Dai (Best Karate Name)

1. Natural Stance - Yoi in the natural stance with both arms relaxed and the hands in fists at your sides. Flowing Water Back fist Posture (Mizunagare Uraken Gamae).

Step forward with a crescent shape into a front stance, position the left fist under the right elbow and the right arm in an inside/outside blocking posture and slowly bring the entire structure upward, then downward and forward with increasing tension in the muscles.

2. Hand Me a Bucket - Even Level Vertical Punches (Heiko Tate Zuki). Step to the left with the left foot to a 45° angle, bring both fists back to the right waist, then slowly vertical fist punch with both hands to the front. The fists should come back as

Gojushiho-Dai

the feet come together, then punch as the foot is more slowly extended to the front into a front stance. The beginning of the motion is done without power and while inhaling. Exhale as the fists punch. Do not quickly and violently snap the fists to the waist in the beginning. Move quietly and slowly. 3. Hand Me Another Bucket – Even Level Vertical Punches (Heiko Tate Zuki). Step to 90° to the right side. Move the right foot close to the left foot and then outward to make a new front stance. Bring both fists back to the left waist as before, then punch with two vertical fists very slowly and strongly. 4. Sword Hand Left - Left Middle Level Vertical Sword Hand Block (Hidari Tate

Shuto Uke). Step forward 90° to the left with the left foot, moving the left foot inward and then outward. Block slowly with a vertical sword hand block with the left hand.

Rotate the hips to the side while blocking. Inhale as the arms fold for the block, then exhale slowly and deeply as the sword hand is extended, the shoulders move back, and the chest is expanded. 5. Punch - Right Middle Level Reverse Punch (Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki). Reverse punch with the right fist in place by strongly rotating the right hip to the front by pressing with the rear foot into the floor. This punch snaps back immediately. 6. Punch - Left Middle Level Straight Punch (Hidari Chudan Jun Zuki). Without moving the hips, punch strongly with the left hand. The previous technique and this one are paired together in a 1-2 rhythm. Perform both punches in a single exhalation.

Do not move the feet. Essentially these two punches are a single double punch. 7. Kick in Place - Right Front Snap Kick (Migi Mae Geri). Without stepping forward, front snap kick with the right leg. Replace the foot in the same stance that you kicked from. As the kick snaps back, begin the next technique. 8. Punch - Right Middle Level Reverse Punch (Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki). As the kicking foot arrives at the floor, simultaneously focus a right side reverse punch strongly. The kick and the punch are performed in the same exhalation in a 1-2 rhythm.

The timing on the sword hand block and punches should be 1….2.3..4.5 9. Sword Hand Right - Step forward into a front stance in the 90° angle to the right side while executing a right arm vertical sword hand block. Rotate the hips to the side.

10. Reverse Punch – Reverse punch with the left fist 11. Punch– Straight punch with the right fist in place 12. Front Kick – Middle level front snap kick in place 13. Punch – Simultaneously reverse punch while lowering the kicking foot to the floor strongly. 14. Elbows Away! – Step 45° to the front with the right foot so that you face the true 0° front wall again, upper cut with an elbow strike, rotate the hips to the side, and finish

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with the right vertical fist behind the right ear. Don’t spend much time in this position. You should move quickly to the next technique 1-2. 15. Break their knee backwards – Turn 180° to the rear moving the left foot, open both palms, drive the right palm downward toward the lower level with the hand open in a “tiger mouth” while pulling upward in a scooping action with the left palm so that the left hand finishes palm upward outside the right elbow and travels up the right arm and under it. The left hand should surround the right arm’s bottom half and slide up without touching it to behind the right elbow. This is a strong technique performed quickly following the elbow strike. 16. Chicken Locked – Step forward into a cat leg stance, begin slowly arcing the right hand upward, with the right elbow sitting on top of the back of the left wrist, into a slow Chicken Head block (using the wrist as a blocking location). 17. Chicken Loaded – Lower the left arm slowly with the palm facing outward (looks like a vertical sword hand block), raise the right Chicken Head Block upward so that the index finger points forward and the back of the right hand is beside the right ear slowly. 18. Chicken Attack! – Shift both feet forward, the front foot moving first, so that the stance is reconstructed about 12 to 18 inches forward of the previous position. At the same time, move your right hand downward sharply, so that the index finger strikes to the lower level in a stabbing motion. The left hand should be beside the inside of the right elbow at this point. 19. Stab with the left index finger spear hand to the lower level. 20. Alternating sides, quickly strike once more in the same fashion with the right hand.

These three techniques should be performed 1….2.3 with a fast pace. 21. Chicken Locked – Turn 180° to the rear, moving the Chicken Head Block of the right hand across the lower level in an arc from the right to the left and back to the right again in front of the shoulder in a sweeping motion, and then upward in an inside outward arcing action. Step forward at the same time with the right foot, describing a small circle on the floor with the tip of the right big toe. Do all of this simultaneously, smoothly, and slowly with tension. 22. Chicken Loaded – Lower the left arm slowly with the palm facing outward (looks like a vertical sword hand block), raise the right Chicken Head Block upward so that the index finger points forward and the back of the right hand is beside the right ear slowly. 23. Chicken Attack! – Shift both feet forward, the front foot moving first, so that the stance is reconstructed about 12 to 18 inches forward of the previous position. At the same time, move your right hand downward sharply, so that the index finger strikes to the lower level in a stabbing motion. The left hand should be beside the inside of the right elbow at this point. 24. Stab with the left index finger spear hand to the lower level.

Gojushiho-Dai

25. Alternating sides, quickly strike once more in the same fashion with the right hand.

Some people prefer to do the index finger stabs to the middle level, also with the preparatory blocking motion, but they point the hand downward at the wrist so the fingers still land pointing down but at middle level. 26. Throw the Baby out with the Bath Water – Turn 270° to the right side moving the left foot and using the right foot as a pivot. Finish in a horse riding stance, facing to the left, and execute a swift inside outward double open handed block. 27. Cross Your Feet – Step the right foot across the left foot very quickly at first, and then slow and pause for a moment. 28. Throw Him to the Floor – Raise the left foot and knee, both hands in the air, and bring them down strongly together in a double armed downward blocking action. 29. Another Toss – Turn and face the right side, quickly snap the hands upward, then bring them down decisively as a double open handed block to the right side in horse riding stance (no stepping). 30. Cross Your Feet – Step the left foot across the right as before 31. Throw Him to the Floor– Raise the right foot and both arms in the air, bring them down simultaneously with the stomping action into a double handed downward block (using fists). 32. Chicken Locked – Move the right foot forward (90° to the left), into a cat leg stance, slowly sweeping the right hand across the lower level then arcing it upward, inside, then outward in a chicken head block. Move the tip of the right big toe in a small inside-outward circular motion on the floor.

33. Chicken Loaded – Lower the left arm slowly with the palm facing outward (looks like a vertical sword hand block), raise the right Chicken Head Block upward so that the index finger points forward and the back of the right hand is beside the right ear slowly. 34. Chicken Attack! – Shift both feet forward, the front foot moving first, so that the stance is reconstructed about 12 to 18 inches forward of the previous position. At the same time, move your right hand downward sharply, so that the index finger strikes to the lower level in a stabbing motion. The left hand should be beside the inside of the right elbow at this point. 35. Stab with the left index finger spear hand to the lower level. 36. Alternating sides, quickly strike once more in the same fashion with the right hand. 37. Lower Level Sweeping Block and Sword Hand Strike – Turn 180° to the rear into a front stance moving the left foot. Sweep the left hand across the lower level, then strongly bring it back to the waist as the right hand comes down in an outside inward sword hand strike to the lower middle level with the palm facing upward.

Turn the hips strongly to the front.

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38. Vertically Challenged – Step forward with the right foot into a front stance, and raise the right hand in a fist over the head, then bring it down slowly into a vertical back fist strike to the front.

39. Lower Chop Inward – Quickly outside inward strike to the front rotating the hips strongly forward with a palm upward sword hand strike to the lower level. 40. Vertical Knock Out – Step forward slowly with the left foot, and slowly raise the left hand over the head, then bring down a vertical back fist strike slowly at chest level.

41. Falling Eagle – Step forward with the right foot into a front stance. Strike to the middle level from above with a large, swinging Falling Eagle Hand Strike with the fingertips. 42. Eagle On Its Back – Immediately snap the Eagle Hand upward quickly to the upper level (around the chin). 43. Front Kick – Left foot front snap kick in place and simultaneously punch forward with the left hand to the middle level while bringing the right fist vertically beside the left ear – folding the arms as if to perform a down block. The kick will be in-place. 44. Elbow the Chin – Bring the kicking foot back and turn 180 degrees so that the left foot becomes the front foot and turn to the left. Raise the left elbow in a horizontal elbow strike to the upper level while executing a simultaneous lower block to the rear. The face is pointed in the direction of the elbow strike. Unlike the other

Gojushiho kata, do not lean for this. Stay upright.

The combination of kick, fold, and elbow should be performed at very high speed and a continuous rhythm. 45. Chicken Locked – Slide the right foot up and draw a small circle with the big toe while creating a cat leg stance. Sweep the right Chicken Head Block across the lower level and increase muscle tension as the block comes from the inside out at middle level.

46. Chicken Loaded – Lower the left arm slowly with the palm facing outward (looks like a vertical sword hand block), raise the right Chicken Head Block upward so that the index finger points forward and the back of the right hand is beside the right ear slowly. 47. Chicken Attack! – Shift both feet forward, the front foot moving first, so that the stance is reconstructed about 12 to 18 inches forward of the previous position. At the same time, move your right hand downward sharply, so that the index finger strikes to the lower level in a stabbing motion. The left hand should be beside the inside of the right elbow at this point. 48. Stab with the left index finger spear hand to the lower level. 49. Alternating sides, quickly strike once more in the same fashion with the right hand.

Gojushiho-Dai

50. Give the Baby Another Toss Out the Window – Turn 270° to the right, pivoting on the right foot. Create a horse riding stance and face to the left side while double open hand blocking to the lower level. 51. Cross Your Feet – Step the right foot in front of the left slowly, and pause for a moment.

52. Lift and Block – Look forward quickly. Raise the left foot upward strongly and simultaneously execute a left hand vertical sword hand block to the front. 53. Stomp and Punch – As the foot lands, right side spear hand thrust to the middle level with the left fist pointing into the right waist (do not draw the hand). 54. Lower Level Palm Up Blocking – Strike to the right side with the double open hand blocks in a horse riding stance. 55. Cross Your Feet – Step across the right foot with the left, pause for a moment. 56. Lift and Block – Raise the right foot and knee into the air strongly while executing a left side vertical sword hand block.

57. Stomp and Punch – Strongly stomp the floor with the foot and simultaneously right side spear hand thrust to the middle level as before with the left fist pointed at the left waist and the elbow pointed out. 56 and 57 are performed using the same hands again in most renditions of these kata. However, my friends of experience and myself agree: You can perform this in mirror image if you like. I have no idea why this is left-right on both sides while in all other kata something like this would be left-right and then right-left.

I have done it both ways in front of various instructors and have never been caught doing it one way and told to do it the other. I think it falls under the category of petty details.

58. Flowing Water – Step forward with the right foot slowly, increasing tension as the flowing water back fist posture is constructed. The right arm lifts up with the fist pointed up at the ceiling, just like the very first move in the kata. Then settle it down with the elbow on top of the left fist. Be careful to construct 90° angles in both elbows.

59. Bottom Fist – Step to the rear strongly with the right foot into a side on facing horse riding stance. Quickly bottom fist strike to the left side while looking left (was forward direction). 60. Charging Punch – Step back forward into a front stance where you had been standing for the flowing again (the same location as move #59). Middle level punch. [kiai!] 61. Elbows Out – Move the left foot toward the right and rotate the body to the left so that you are facing 90° to the side in a natural stance with the feet about 18 inches apart. Bring both fists to the chest and point the elbows outward at shoulder height.

Move swiftly and sharply.

Gojushiho-Dai

62. Peck Wood – Head butt to the front from the waist at a 25°-35° angle if viewed from the side. At the same time, swing both fists to the rear in a bottom fist scissors punch to the rear. 63. Elbows Out Again – Snap the upper body and the fists back as quickly as possible from the head butting position and return the fists and elbows to their previous positions. 64. Snap to the Left – Turn to the left 90° into a front stance. Keep the elbows pointing outward. Turn very quickly in a sharp motion. 65. Flap Your Wings – Bring the right foot forward into a cat leg stance, and open both hands into the sword hand position. With the elbows straight, swing the arms upward, crossing them over in front of the chest, and then downward so the fingers are pointing outward and to the sides. 66. Learn to Fly – Continue by reversing the direction of the hands and arms. Bring both hands up into a double Chicken Head Block to the front in the same cat leg stance. Bring the arms up increasing to about half power. 67. Two Beaks Strike – shift both feet forward so that the cat leg stance is moved about 18 inches forward, but the structure of the stance does not change. Double hand lower level single finger strike and [kiai!] 68. Snap Back – Snap both hands back upward in the blocking posture again without any tension. Do this and the previous technique as a single motion. 69. Load the Chicken One Last Time – Turn 180° to the rear, bringing the right foot forward into a cat leg stance. Perform the lower to middle level arcing sweep with the chicken head block. Return the right foot to the natural position. Finished.