Jitte is a powerful Kata and one must show good use of power. The distinctive yama uke are said to resemble the Japanese three-pronged jitte (like the Okinawan sai), which is one possible interpretation of the name. Some experts suggest that Jitte can be traced to ancient Kung Fu. The reason for this is that it was observed that the style use can be found in karate with some grappling techniques thrown in. August 2018 We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In feudal Japan, it was considered a crime punishable by death to bring a sword inside the Shogun’s palace. ... Jitte. The same technique is performed by Funakoshi Sensei as Gedan Juji Uke (Cross Block). Today these kata are trained among others in the following schools: Shito-ryu by Mabuni Kenwa (1888 - 1952), Kobayashi-ryu by Chibana Choshin (1885 - 1969), here only the Jion, in the Shudokan by Toyama Kanken (1888 - 1966) and Shotokan by Funakoshi Gichin (1868 - 1957). Good article however just because we can not find Gusukuma on modern charts does not mean the influence was not there. The table shows that the he clearly assigned Jion to be Shorei-ryu, the kata Jitte, however, 1922 and 1935 the Shorei-ryu, 1925 but the Shorin-ryu was assigned. Jitte; Jion; The Pinan Series. Thank you for your feedback and comments. * Jitte: another Tomari-te kata of the Jion kata group; the name means "10 hands." The illustrations show the initial movements of the Jion (Hanashiro) and the Jiin (Konishi). This does not exclude palace guards. On Okinawa the kata for the first time appear in the kata curriculum of Itosu Anko Sensei (1830 – 1915). Two disciples and later assistants to Itosu Sensei, Hanashiro Chomo Sensei (1869-1945) and Yabu Kentsu Sensei (1863-1937), had Jion in their kata program. It came from the same person as kata Chinto (and Chinte and Jitte) came from; the castaway known as Chinto and Anan. The Pinan katas were developed by Anko Itosu in the early 1900s. From the point of view of self-defense, it makes more sense to make kata more combative than to focus solely on a clean and stylized execution of the techniques. The Morote Soto Uke of Gichin Funakoshi is very „exact“. When we compare Kururunfa with the other kata Higaonna learned under his instructor (Ryu Ru Ko Sensei ) in China you will note that Kururunfa is performed relatively quick and fast. II, is classified as Neh Ka Ryu. Juli 2018 , in whose school the kata are said to have played a minor role. The last few paragraphs have shown that the kata group Jite, Jiin, Jion has also spread among the students of Toyama Sensei and that the Jion for many masters was a very important kata and that Jion is the most widespread kata of the kata group. To master these Shotokan Karate katas, you will also have to learn basic Shotokan stances, Karate kicks, Karate blocks, Karate punches, etc. Like its sister kata Jion and Ji’in, Jitte begins with the kamae of the left hand covering the right fist which may suggest roots in ancient Kung Fu. Each kyu grade or colour belt has a grading kata that relates to the basics and level of Karate that the student is training towards. If you continue to use this site you understand and agree to the use of cookies and accept them. Some theories on where Jitte got its name is the raised fist hand position used within the kata. Creator of this kata is unknown.’ Jitte’ can be translated as ‘ten hands’. The Shito Ryu and Itosu Kai sensei, Ryusho Sakagami (1915-1993) believed that the three 'J kata' were Itosu's reformulation of older Tomari kata, since lost. The modern Jitte stands in between, 18 inches in length. Even after Toyama Sensei’s death Higa Sensei visited many Shudokan Embukai meetings in Japan. This character also apparently taught the kata Chinto (Gankaku), Chinte and Jitte to various Okinawan karate experts. There are 26 standard Shotokan Kata. This Kata was introduced to Shorin Ryu by Master Shinpan Gusukuma (Shiroma). Which theories are conceivable? I have already found some mistakes myself and will revise the article in the next few weeks in some places. April 2018. Chinto kata has a fascinating history and it is necessary to have some understanding of that history if we are to understand the kata itself. Info about "Jitte (kata) video". Furthermore, the blog should serve to give you new historical insights immediately, so you do not have to wait for the second edition of my book. There are several schools in existence today that teaches this practice. Brief History. List of Shito-Ryu Karate Katas with Videos. Featured Image Source: Samuraiantiqueworld [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. The kata has very moves, associated with defence against a staff. * Suparinpei : known as "108 hands," representing the 108 evil spirits of man. In feudal Japan, it was considered a crime punishable by death to bring a sword inside the Shogun’s palace. He and Matsumora Kosaku Sensei (1829-1898) had been training together around 1873 and he could have learned the three kata from Matsumora Sensei in addition to Wankan, Wanshu, Wandou and Rohai. by Joe Swift. Although Kyoda Sensei's main teacher was Naha-te master Higashionna Kanryo (1853 - 1915), from whom he learned the kata Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseiru and Peichurin, Kyoda Sensei must have seen something special in the kata Jion or in Yabu Sensei, otherwise he would have not incorporated the kata in his “small” Naha-te based kata curriculum. This is a small pointed tip or blade attached to the tsuka but, hidden in the boshin. The JKA version consists of 24 moves. I lied very much. For your consideration, Great article though I enjoyed it! Itosu learned the kata “Chiang Nan” from a Chinese martial artist who lived in Okinawa, and later remodelled this into five simpler katas, calling them Pinan because … Often referred to as the “Soul of Karate,” kata encapsulates the techniques, movements, and spirit of the art. On closer examination it can be seen that these three kata share some similarities: The three kata thus seem to be related both technically and historically to each other and come from the same source or school. Did Itosu Sensei's teacher Matsumura Soken Sensei (1797-1889 or 1809-1901) already know these kata and was he responsible for their transmission? When Funakoshi Sensei began teaching karate in Japan in 1922, he taught a total of 15 kata, subdividing kata into Shorei or Shorin kata. Today I would like to share some thoughts on the historical development of these three kata. The main element use is Gyaku-te waza grappling techniques. JITTE – “Ten Hands”. One of the big defining points in karate’s history was after the fateful invasion of the Satsuma Samurai in 1609. So-ojin - it is my belief that this is merely another phonetic spelling of the "So-Jin" Hyung listed above, and is probably not a different name. As a form of protection palace guards carries a non-bladed weapon called Jitte. Kyan Sensei not only studied under Matsumora Sensei but also under Oyadomari Kokan Sensei (1827 - 1905) and Maeda Peichin Gichio Sensei (1826 - 1890). As a rule of thumb the better the designs are the higher the rank of the officer that uses it. Kata practice trains the mind and body for a wide variety of movement and is an excellent form of exercise, memorization, and visualization. If it is plain this means the owner is a low ranking officer. This made Jitte a good form of protection for these palace guards. The Kata’s name Jitte which means “the strength of 10 men” gives it away. This does not exclude palace guards. The choice is made when the ability is activated. Januar 2019 Hanashiro Chomo generally performs the Kata much more combative. Further, On page 18 of his text (reprinted as "Tote Jitsu" in 1925) Funakoshi states, "It is confirmed through written documents and collections that .....(2) ASATO followed MATSUMURA and ITOSU followed GUSUKUMA, according to what has been told through generations." Hanashiro Sensei performs Morote Gedan Tsuki. Throughout the 1800s the Meiji Restoration was taking hold and karate on Okinawa was developing into three nebulous, sometimes interweaving prongs: Shuri Te, Naha Te, and Tomari Te. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. The origin of this Kata comes from the Tomari-te system, translates to “10 Hands”. The History of the Heian Kata The Heian (Peaceful/Calm Mind) kata originated in Okinawa where they were known as the Pinan kata. From there, Kanazawa believes the Jion kata were spread into the Tomari region. Jitte can sometimes have a hidden stiletto in the hilt. Sip Soo - this Kata is known as "Jitte" in Karate-Do, and as Great Grandmaster Hwang Kee explained in Vol. Jitte is the third 'temple' kata (along with Jion and Jiin). 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. In 1951, Higa Sensei went back to Okinawa. ).However, if you have any questions about a particular kata movement, please check with your instructor because kata instructions and the order of katas can vary by school and organization. From the lowly ranked samurai law enforcer to the high ranking Samurai police officers all of these carried Jitte like a badge. 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. 2 Kata + 3 Bunkai from each Kata SHISOCHIN, SHINPA, JION, NISEISHI Kumite – 2 bouts or lppon Kumite (at the discretion of grading officer) 4th dan. In this blog I would like to answer some of your questions about the book. This page provides videos and/or written instructions for the katas used in Shito-Ryu Karate (i.e. It was taught as a part of the Tomari-te Okinawan karate style and has elements of Gyaku-te grappling techniques. The history of Jitte (ten hands) is very clouded, but most agree that the kata developed in Tomari, but probably originated in China. The original name was Jutte, meaning 'ten' (ju) 'hands' (te) but is most commonly referred to nowadays as Jitte though the meaning of 'Ten Hands' has remained. The primary function of this is to teach defense against enemies using weapons during fights or battle. Jitte, Jiin and Jion have survived in the schools of some of Itosu Sensei’s students. 2. This can be decorated lavishly with all manners of inlays. This can be as short as 12 inches or more than 24 inches in length. The kata Jion can also be found in Toon-ryu by Kyoda Yuhatsu Sensei (1887 - 1968). This kata is particularly effective in dealing with stick attacks such as a bo or a jo. Jiin is the kata that only a small number of Toyama Sensei's students have received. 2/1/2005: Umezawa’s Jitte’s activated ability generates a modal choice. As we know Kata, meaning Form, or a series of movements, looks to the outsider as a “dance”, and history has recorded these “dance-like” forms in various cultures. 2 Kata + 2 Bunkai from each Kata WANSHU, ANNANKO, JITTE, SEISAN Kumite – 2 bouts or lppon Kumite (at the discretion of grading officer) 3rd dan. Further information can be found in my unpublished book on Jitte, Jion and Jiin (2007) and in my book "The Kata of the Shudokan", planned for the year 2022. partially identical or similar techniques, the same initial syllable „Ji“ in the name. The movements of Hanashiro Chomo are on the other side more realistic and his fists reminds us to the movements of the 19th century western boxers. Jitte (or Jutte) means "Ten Hands." Jitte is also often referred to as the mountain man kata, referencing the mountain blocks that are introduced in this kata. A jitte or jutte (十手, "ten hands") is a specialized weapon that was used by police in Edo period Japan (1603 – 1868). Along with Join and Jitte begin with left hand covering right (ancient Chinese) Tokui kata 得意 is your “free” or favorite kata. It is interesting to see how he associated the kata Jitte and Jion in his books in 1922, 1925, and 1935. If Jitte, Jiin, and Jion were actually Tomari-te kata, then it's surprising why Kyan Sensei should not have learned these set of kata. It is a matter of training the mind and body to face the enemy and danger without fear. He actually taught at least 40 kata, these were later included in the limited but monumental work by Shigeru Egami "Karate … In addition, there are a variety of photos and interesting stories that have not found entry into the book. Mai 2018 While many styles still use the Okinawan name (which means the same), in Shotokan they are usually known as the Heian kata, a name change instigated by the style’s founder Gichin Funakoshi when he introduced karate to Japan in the 1920s. 2 Kata + 3 Bunkai from each Kata This was carried by all levels of police officers. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. There are two kiai points in Jitte, the first one occurs on the last jodan-yoko-uchi-barai (upper level side sweeping block) at the top of the embusen (line of attack). Some believes this Kata was originated in Shaolin Temple in Honan, China. In 2006 I wrote a book about the kata group Jitte (temple hand), Jion (temple sound) and Jiin (temple floor). Kururunfa is an advanced kata brought back from China by way of Kanryo Higaonna. Although Toyama Sensei did not present these three kata in his books, these kata have been preserved in some of his students' schools, as shown in the table below. As we know, the kata Jion was one of Hanashiro Sensei's favourite kata. JITTE. Those listed below the red line are the rest of the 26 Shotokan kata. Higa Sensei could have learned the Kata Jion from Toyama Sensei, but also from Chibana Sensei or Nakama Sensei. 2/1/2005: If the “target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn” mode is chosen, the target creature must also be announced. Masters Azato and Itosu were the teachers who instructed this writer and to whom the writer is greatly indebted" There Higa Sensei also studied under Chibana Sensei and under Nakama Sensei. It translates into: speciality, pride, triumph aka your best! It is better to describe Japanese in the name of the Katas. 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