Sōchin

Sōchin (壯鎭) (Japanese: "Tranquil Force") is a kata practiced in several styles of karate. It may have derived from Dragon style, and was taught in the Naha-te school in Okinawa by Seisho Arakaki. It was then passed down to Shitō-ryū. Later, a variation of it was introduced into Shotokan by Gichin Funakoshi's son, Yoshitaka.[1]

The rhythm of the kata is dynamic, it is characterized by slow, deliberate movements interspersed with explosive out-bursts of speed. In the Shotokan version, the powerful dominant stance in this kata is sōchin-dachi ("rooted stance"). In the Shitō-ryū version, it employs several stances including nekoashi-dachi ("cat stance") and zenkutsu dachi ("front stance"). Rhythm is important in the execution of this kata. This kata has been said to develop Chi/Ki energy.

Sōchin is practiced in Shuri Style Karate, not from Naha Style.

References

  1. ↑ Redmond, Rob, Kata: The Folk Dances of Shotokan, 2006 (http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata)


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