Okinawan Traditional Goju Ryu Karate-do Association

_Immediately what comes to mind is the oriental world of the graceful Crane bird.

As to the spirit world, the Phoenix bird symbolizes immortality and the resurrection of life after death.  Only one Phoenix exists at one time, which would suggest only one Kata.  The Phoenix was usually depicted as the Heron but in classic literature as a Peacock or an Eagle.

The first movement to the side could suggest the Crane bird warding of an attacker, the forward movement could indicate the flapping of the wings in an attack.

The movement at 45° suggests the Heron bird stalking it pray, close to the waters edge and the middle knuckle thrust could be deduced as the beak of the Heron bird piercing it’s pray.

From the low stance, and rising with both hands aloft, this could be the Graceful display of the Peacock bird, signifying detail, precision, colour and beauty.

And the last move is the representation of a Peacock bird, display it’s non-compliance to be approached, the Kiai (the shout for spirit) is quite daunting.

George Andrews

Cambridge Goju Ryu celebrated it's second birthday today with a special three hour open course. Thank you to all those that came to support the club and a special thanks to the guest instructors Sensei George Andrews and Sensei Dave Amber.

After a quick warm up we split into two groups. Whilst the junior grades practiced a variety of self defence techniques with Sensei Dave, the black and brown belts recieved instruction on Sanchin kata from Sensei George. After a brief break Sensei George introduced the junior grades to Sanchin and the senior grades practiced basic techniques with movement and a decent amount of conditioning led by Sensei Martin.

We concluded our training as a group with makiwara training making good use of the crash mats for both punching and kicking.

Thanks again to all the participants for making this course a success.

The OTGKA was invited to demonstrate at two Japanese events in London last year.  The first event was Okinawa Day, held in Spitalfields in June. The two photos below were taken by Stephen Chung (click here for more photos).

This was followed by a demonstration at Japan Matsuri in September.  This photo was taken by Laura Hilton-Smith, winning 3rd prize in the photography awards.

_There is a suggestion that this Kata could be a sister Kata to Seiyunchin, as it uses supported or double handed techniques and the absence of Zenkustu dachi.

The first move suggests interaction of the planets and space in time; it also represents the circle of life and that time is only seeing the past.

The double handed techniques suggest the power of working together as a commodity for the good of all and the prolongation of truth.

The 45° step and the double hand movement suggest the turbulent waters before a tidal wave then the descent into a low stance suggests an earthquake.

Then the spiralling movement is a fearsome tornado to the end move, suggesting the beginning of calm.

George Andrews

_ Your foot movements should resemble the time lapse of a hypnotic Cobra snake.

From the first kame and punch, imaging you are trying to extinguish a lighted candle without touching it.

On the retraction and the turning of the hands, imaging you are doing Sanchin breathing without noise, at the same time your arms are as powerful as a boa constrictor, until the Juji Uke, which resembles the bite of the Cobra.

_ The kick, elbow and punch suggests a stampede of horses.

From the Juji Uke think like the stealth of a tiger, ready to pounce and surprise it’s pray.

As to the last move, this resembles a begging or happy dog.

The Element that this Kata portrays is Fire.

George Andrews

Shisochin Kata resembles the Dragon.

The Nukite strike could demonstrate the defiant mood of the Dragon, hissing and displaying it’s tongue.

The step back and then quickly moving forward suggests Karate Ni Sente Nashi and the Mawashi like movement could be the wings of the Dragon in defence.

The distinctive Zenkustu Dachi is the element of Fire and the four different directions that the Kata displays suggest the Dragon attacking forward and at the same time defending the rear end with its tail.

The palm heel strike to the face suggests the advancing of the flame and the downward palm heel strike could represent the tail in defence.

The Hiki Uke movement and the kick into Zenkustu Dachi could represent the descent of the Dragon crushing its foe.

To the last move, Tora Guchi, this could be the Dragon proudly displaying it’s triumph.

George Andrews

Looking back over the years not much as changed on the Isle of Wight, it still reminds me of the early 60’s and it is a pleasure to be invited back once again to conduct a one day course with Sensei Mick Dewey 8th Dan SEKU and the coordinator Sensei Mark Elliott 5th Dan SEKU.

I travelled across by ferry which takes about 40 minutes, in this time you can witness some of the coastline and its beauty which has a long line of history. On arriving I made my way to Sensei Mark's house where I was greeted by Sensei Mike whom I have not seen for 15 years. It was quite a emotional time, we sat and talked about old times we had spent together in the past.

That evening I was invited out to dinner, I had a wonderful Fish supper then I went back to the hotel to get a good night sleep ready for training in the morning, at 9.15 – 10.30am I started with the Children I counted about 30, all were eager and ready to go.

Then it was the turn of the Adults and Cadets I counted about 35 people and after an hour of arduous warming up we split the class into groups, Sensei Mick took the kyu grades and I took the black belts and after 2 hours Sensei Mick focused on Kata and I focused on self – defence and then for the last hour I was invited to take all black belts so I focused on the Kata Tensho and Kakie (Sticky Hands) everyone was excited with this discipline.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Mark Elliott and his wife Lisa for such a lovely time.

George Andrews

Respect others
Be courageous
Train your mind and body
Practice daily and protect traditional karate-do
Strive to teach the essence of Goju-Ryu
Never give up

The full article can be found here.

Heaven and Earth are described as Kenkon in Japanese.

Ken meaning heaven and Kon indicating earth. Heaven is shown as round and earth as square, which symbolises the vastness of heaven and earth.

The badge expresses the harmony of hardness and softness in nature...heaven and earth.

The meaning of Goju is directly related to the badge since this also means hard and soft, Go translates as hard whilst Ju equals soft.

The symbol within the circle is the family crest of the Miyagi family, since the idea of heaven and earth, hard and soft originated with Miyagi Sensei.

The Children’s Fun Day was organised by Sensei Dick Lovett and Dave Amber from Harlow and Basildon Dojos. The Children arrived at 10am full of energy and spark and many new faces were in attendance, but it was not for long as the Children intermingled with each other and by the end of the day they had made many new friends.

The day started with all the children warming up together and working in pairs, a few games and banter helped the children to forget their anxiety and concentrate on having fun, next they were split into four groups and each instructor would concentrate on one or two combinations for 15 minutes so as not to lose the children’s interest.

After lunch break it was time for a competition and this would include Push ups, Sit ups and Star Jumps for one minute, the children were so enthusiastic for them it was not only about winning but also the challenge.

Then as a special treat Sensei Joost Frehe, who is an instructor of Grapping and Ground-work, had the children work together in pairs and they absolutely enjoyed every moment even those that were hesitant in the beginning gave it their all.

And to finish the day, and by know the children were showing signs of fatigue, it was back into their groups for light sparring and after the call to line up, each child received a medal and certificate for their participation.

I would like to thank all the instructors and parents for making this event a success.

Sensei George Andrews

The ready position with the left hand over the right hand signifies gentleness overcoming strength, our natural behaviour is to greet a person with calm and equanimity not aggression. The first move in this Kata shows water finding its own level, as you sink into the stance.

The first hand movements resemble a volcano which suggests the father of creation, as the eruption settles thus life is created, in time everything moves or changes.

Most of the techniques are double handed or supported, which indicates that human beings should exist as friends and that with a helping hand, life can exist without hardship or conflict.

All movements suggest this Kata to be the element of Earth, indicating logic isolating power.

George Andrews


Equanimity is a state of mental or emotional stability or composure arising from a deep awareness and acceptance of the present moment.