Jion kata group
Encyclopedia
Ji'in, Jion, and Jitte form a group of kata
used in Shotokan
and other karate
styles, beginning with the same characteristic kamae
of the left hand covering the right, which apparently has roots in ancient Chinese boxing. Their origin is thought to be from the Tomari-te school, however Hirokazu Kanazawa speculates that the Jion kata were devised in the Jionji 慈恩寺, the Jion temple, where martial arts were famously practiced. From there, Kanazawa believes the Jion kata were spread into the Tomari region.
Also practiced in some Shito Ryu
organizations, emphasis is also placed on kokutsu dachi, the kata is noticeably shorter than its Shotokan counterpart.
known as a jitte
, which occurs a number of times in the kata. This rather short kata of only 24 movements contains a number of defenses that can be implemented against the bo
. Also known in some styles as Sip Soo.
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
used in Shotokan
Shotokan
is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Gigo Funakoshi . Gichin was born in Okinawa and is widely credited with popularizing karate through a series of public demonstrations, and by promoting the development of university karate clubs, including...
and other karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
styles, beginning with the same characteristic kamae
Kamae
is a Japanese term used in martial arts and traditional theater. It translates approximately to "posture". The Kanji of this word means "base".Kamae is to be differentiated from the word , used in Japanese martial arts to mean stance...
of the left hand covering the right, which apparently has roots in ancient Chinese boxing. Their origin is thought to be from the Tomari-te school, however Hirokazu Kanazawa speculates that the Jion kata were devised in the Jionji 慈恩寺, the Jion temple, where martial arts were famously practiced. From there, Kanazawa believes the Jion kata were spread into the Tomari region.
Ji'in
Ji'in 慈陰("Inverted Mercy") is important for the execution of many simultaneous techniques and the often-repeated stances, enabling swift changes of direction while maintaining balance, power and steps of equal length. It has, however, been removed from the Japan Karate Association teaching and grading syllabus.Jion
Jion 慈恩 ("Mercy") is a representative kata in the Shotokan system because of the importance of the perfection of the basic stances it contains, notably zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and kiba dachi (horse stance).Also practiced in some Shito Ryu
Shito ryu
is a form of karate that was founded in 1931 by .- History :Kenwa Mabuni was born in Shuri, a district of Naha, Okinawa in 1889. Mabuni was a 17th generation descendant of the famous warrior Oni Ufugusuku Kenyu...
organizations, emphasis is also placed on kokutsu dachi, the kata is noticeably shorter than its Shotokan counterpart.
Jitte
The mastery of Jitte 十手 ("Ten Hands") should in theory enable one to face ten adversaries. Some claim that the name is derived from the position of the raised fists, resembling a type of saiSai (weapon)
The sai is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, dagger-shaped metal truncheon, with two curved prongs called yoku projecting from the handle...
known as a jitte
Jitte (weapon)
The , literally meaning "ten-hand" , is a specialized weapon.In Edo period Japan the jutte was a substitute for a badge and represented someone on official business and was carried by all levels of police officers including high ranking samurai police officials and low-rank samurai law enforcement...
, which occurs a number of times in the kata. This rather short kata of only 24 movements contains a number of defenses that can be implemented against the bo
Bo (weapon)
A bō or kon , is a long staff weapon used in Okinawa and feudal Japan. Bō are typically around long and are now used in Japanese martial arts, in particular bōjutsu...
. Also known in some styles as Sip Soo.