In the Judo Striking and Self-Defense thread, Jon Lean asked the following questions on karate kneeling techniques after the kneeling work in Judo kata had been mentioned:
I recall there are similar kneeling position techniques described in Funakoshi's Karate Do Kyohan, at least in my copy (Kodansha copy with the Okinwan Statue on the front, the one with this plus throws demonstrated by Funakoshi and Ohtsuka), but I've never heard any serious discussion as to their history in karate circles. Are they practiced by anyone? Do they have their origins in Okinawan karate or are they also ju-jutsu derived?
The origins and nature of the kneeling techniques across karate is not something I’ve personally looked into in any depth. Because they have no direct practical relevance to the culture in which I live, I prefer to spend training time on other things and hence I’ve never paid the kneeling stuff much attention. However, Jon’s question has sparked my interest in how / if such techniques are practised across karate.
I personally am aware of two groups of these techniques within karate; there are the ones Funakoshi shows in Karate-Do Kyohan and the Idori of Wado-Ryu (a youtube clip of which is embedded below):
These are obviously drawn from Otsuka’s Jujutsu as opposed to from his karate study. I know of many Wado groups who practice these as a part of the system (and for historical reasons). I’m also aware of many groups who have dropped them due to their cultural irrelevance. There are arguments either way, but the general point is that, overall, they are widely practised.
Is anyone here aware of any Shotokan groups that make use the six kneeling drills shown in Kyohan?
As regards to their origins, Funakoshi states, “Iai [kneeling drills] also does not have any fixed kata from the old times but is simply an application of basic kata. Although I am going to explain six methods in the following pages, you must know that the Iai of karate does not consist of these exclusively. These are simply examples of the many applications of basic kata.”
We therefore know that these are not techniques that have a direct history via Okinawan karate, but that – as always – the principles of the karate kata can be utilised in other scenarios and not just in the specific examples shown in the kata i.e. the concepts shown while standing are also applicable while kneeling.
Funakoshi makes direct reference to concepts embodied by the "dropping hammer-fist" in Heian Shodan on the first kneeling drill. On the third drill he makes reference to the age-uke and punches of Jion being utilised in a kneeling position as opposed to standing. Number five makes direct reference to the kneeling use of the motions in Heian Sandan. On number six Funkoshi makes reference to the application of the side kicks of Kanku-Dai from a kneeling postion (see picture to the right).
Interestingly, all reference to the kata bunkai connections are missing from the more modern, more widely available, Kodansha version of the book. They are there in the Neptune Publications translation of the original though (now sold out) along with all original photos. Perhaps another example of bunkai being deliberately ignored as knowledge of it was lost?
So we see Funakoshi’s use of standing bunkai techniques from named kata in a kneeling position. This again emphasises the point that the methods of kata can and should also be adapted for use in other positions. However, it would seem there is no direct “kneeling kata from old” within Shotokan karate … probably because they are not needed as the intention was always for the concepts of the kata to be liberated from the specific combative example used to encapsulate it. Interestingly enough, in Kyohan Funakoshi also makes reference to the kata being adapted for use in a lying (“sleeping”) position, but says he will not include any specific examples in the book.
So it seems that Otsuka’s kneeling drills come from his Jujutsu, and Funakoshi’s are adaptations of kata bunkai. Do any other practitioners practise techniques from Seiza? If so, where to they originate from? What are they like? Are they widely practised? Or are they falling by the wayside?
Could be an interesting discussion this and not a topic I think we’ve ever touched on before.
All the best,