Hi All,

Not an official newsletter, just another quick update to let you know
we’ve added some more online kata application videos to the website!


VIDEO 1: Passai / Bassai-Dai "Reinforced Lower Blocks" Bunkai

This short clip looks at bunkai for the “elbow” followed by the three
“reinforced lower blocks” found toward the end of Passai / Bassai-Dai.
Commonly explained as a series of rapid “reinforced” kick blocks (such
as one may need if attacked by an angry can-can dancer!), I would suggest
that a more pragmatic way of viewing the move is simply striking the enemy,
and then pulling them on for a second strike.

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/passai-bassai-dai-reinforced-lower-blocks-bunkai-video


VIDEO 2: Tekki-Nidan Bunkai

This footage was taken at a residential course in June 2014. At the course,
all participants were asked what topics they would like to cover. One
suggestion was the bunkai for Shotokan’s Tekki-Nidan (Naihanchi-Nidan).
I’m not a Shotokan stylist and the school I originate from only practises
one version of Naihanchi. Tekki-Nidan is therefore not a kata I practise or
have spent much time analysing. In preparation for the course, I
familiarised myself with the kata and had some initial thoughts. On the
course itself we had covered the process of kata analysis in previous
sessions, so this was a good opportunity to apply the process and see what
the kata revealed. This clip shows what we came up with for the opening
sequence.

The video starts by showing our conclusion, and then shows the exploration
process in order to illustrate the underlying thinking that gave rise to
the conclusions reached. It’s definitely a kata I now wish to explore in
more depth!

A huge thanks to Kim Dunn 8th dan for suggesting Tekki-Nidan, and for
showing the kata while I walk through the bunkai next to him in the clip.

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/tekki-nidan-bunkai-video


VIDEO 3: Thoughts on bunkai for Goju-Ryu / Shito-Ryu Seisan

This footage was taken at a residential course in June 2014. At the course,
all participants were asked what topics they would like to cover. One
suggestion was the bunkai for Goju-Ryu’s Seisan. This clip shows what we
came up with for all the motions prior to the first turn. Shito-Ryu’s
Seisan is similar, and therefore the bunkai shown would generally apply to
that version too.

To me, in its “opening lessons” the kata seems to be showing a number
of mutually supportive ways in which an enemy can be taken to the floor.
The idea being that if one does not work, then we can flow to any of the
others.

A huge thanks to Ash Nicholls for suggesting Seisan and for showing the
kata in the clip. Thanks also to “uber-uke” Mike for his help with all
the demonstrations!

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/thoughts-bunkai-goju-ryu-shito-ryu-seisan-video


SEMINAR UPDATES

Please also be sure to checkout the list of upcoming seminars! We have
upcoming events in the USA (Kansas, North Carolina & Tennessee), England,
Scotland, Germany, Norway, Finland etc. Details will also be shared soon on
events in Denmark (15th and 16th of November) and Canada (3rd, 4th and 5th
of October)!

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/seminar-dates


I hope you enjoy the videos and I’ll be back with a full newsletter soon!

Have a great weekend!

All the best,

Iain