Society for the Preservation and Promotion of Ancient Martial Arts of the Ryukyu Islands

Ikkyu Kata (1st Kyu, Brown Belt)

The requirement for the Ikkyu grading test is, proficiency with the Kata listed.

The student must have passed all previous levels, with no less than two years experience in present level. All previous level Kata must be known and can be asked. Grade testing may be done only by a certified instructor of this Association. The grade must register with this Association Headquarters in Okinawa, Japan and is also issued at the discretion of the Association. Certificates are issued by the Association Headquarters only, must be numbered and stamped with the Associations inkan (signature seal). Any other certificates issued in the name of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai are not recognized. All certified instructors are listed in the Officials page.

Key points

• When beginning Kobudo it is easy to become frustrated with the fact that you are a beginner.  One must remember that Kobudo is not Karate although it has many parallel points and many of cognitive skills will apply and help you in your study it will take time to lean this new art.  Do not become discouraged if you are advanced in another art but can not replicate the same power, focus, and control in your Kobudo.  This is natural and is the reason that grades are awarded separate from any karate system that participates in the association.
• It will help you to understand the first point if you wear a white belt when training Kobudo until you have achieved an official ranking.  This also shows respect for the art as a new and different art from anything that you may have done before.
• Because the system is not connected to any one Karate system we enjoy training with people from various systems including, Shorin Ryu, Gojuryu, Uechiryu, Shitoryu, Kempo, Taekwondo, Wing Chung, and many others.

This is the first Bo Kata taught in the association.  

Key points

• Remember to perform all Tsuki parallel to the floor
• Remember to perform the 3 Shomen Uchi with the feet and body at 45 Degrees to your opponent as the strike must travel the width of the body
• Remember that the over head Kamai is not a block and it should be done slowly with out kime or focus.

Composed by Taira Shinken Dai Sensei.  This Kata is designed around simplicity.  It gets its strength from clean sharp strikes and solid blocks.  It teaches the practitioner to control the Nunchaku through intense rapid target location while preserving light movement and reinforcing a strong defense.

Key points

• Do not hold the Nunchaku too close to the string as you may have seen in movies.  While this kind of grip may be good at flailing around with the weapon it is useless for blocking and does not provide the proper control over where the weapon is going.  Instead grip the weapon near the bottom of the handles.
• Be sure to put emphasis into both halves of each block.
• Always put your free hand to your side at the hip when striking so that it is positioned to catch the weapon immediately after the blow.

Maézato No Tekko in Uchinan Guchi うちんぐち　or the local languages of Okinawa. 

Maézato is the birth name of our founder and First President Taira Shinken Dai Sensei.  He composed this Kata and on the strength of his performance of the Kata was accepted into the Yamaneryu school.  Unique in design, this Kata can be used both as a Kobudo Kata and a karate Kata.  Distinguishable by its use of kicks, locks, and throws, this Kata prepares the practitioner for close range fighting.

Key points

• The original Tekko were fashioned out of horseshoes.  In many areas the modern Tekko are treated as "brass knuckles" and may be illegal.  It is recommended that you find appropriate items such as D Rings or possibly hand weights that comply with local laws rather than defy local rulings.  It may be possible to create wooden Tekko that will suffice for training.  
• This Kata is excellent for developing use of koshi or hips to produce snap and focus.
• The Kata is also excellent for developing balance through the frequent use of one legged stances (ippon ashi dachi　一本足立ち and kosa dachi 交差立ちwhere the legs twist.
• Keep punches to the center of the body.
• When performing the Sagaru Uke　下がる受け (downward blocks), both arm's must move in a circular motion.
• When executing the Ryoute Sayuu Chudan Tsuki 両手左右中段つき　do not let your elbows come out to the sides of your body.  The words waki shimeru 脇閉めるare often heard in Okinawan dojo.  They mean close your armpits.  When the arm comes away from the side of the body it makes the structure weak and open for attack.

Please direct general queries through our Guest Book

　

Please Sign Our Guest Book

Please View Our Guest Book