Karate, KGBV Style
August 22nd, 2010 at 2:54 am (Uncategorized)
When the KGBV girls first showed me their katas, I was perplexed. There was one kata that looked like Chito Ryu, but not exactly. It had the Cat Paw technique, and the toes-out kibadachi stance, but then had a crouching stance that I’ve never seen before. Not that I was expecting familiarity: my inquiries into what style of karate they practiced were met repeatedly by the response: Martial Art. So, major language gap. At the announcement of their next kata, I started to be relieved: Heian Yondan. This I know! But as I watched, it was Heian Sandan that I was seeing – at least it is in my dojo back home. The kata continued, and incorporated into it were the toes out kibachi stance, and Hapkido style shuto uke. Oy. Ok. No problem, right? Then came Heian Sandan, which looked exactly like what I know to be Heian Yondan. And then another kata that looked again like a combination of Chito Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Hapkido-type blocks and stances.
I find it very interesting to find so many martial arts styles combined together in this remote part of the world. It makes me wonder about where the influences have come from and how karate originally came to this area. Due to lack of technology, the method of passing on the tradition is very much hands-on, teacher-to-student. And I muse over what this style could evolve into. And if this is what it was like on Okinawa as Karate was evolving into what I’ve come to know it as. Quite fascinating considerations for this karateka.
Tom Burger said,
August 22, 2010 at 3:30 am
Belle,
What a great trip! Thank you for taking the time out to share your experiences. Safe travels home.
Belle said,
August 22, 2010 at 5:21 am
Thanks, Tom! Easy to do today as it is pouring rain, so I’m stuck indoors for the most part. It is a nice break, though. Good to hear from you!
Chastity said,
November 13, 2010 at 8:50 am
I don’t like your template but your posts are quite fantastic so I will check back! Also i can’t subscribe to your rss feed! Any ideea why? My kind regards, Chastity.