| Seisan | |
This is a very old kata, which may be translated as 13 or 30. It is possible that this kata was named after a Chinese martial artist sometime during the 17th century. Its use can be traced back to the well-known mapmaker, astronomer, mathematician, and martial artist, Takahara Peichin (Lord Takahara). There are two major versions, with many variants: the Shuri version and the Naha version. They are very different in form. It is believed that the wife of Bushi Matsumura (Yonamine Chiru, married 1818) had a great deal of influence on the development of this variant. It is said that the Matsumura Orthodox variant was developed to teach women how to fight with a baby on their backs. Some of the other variants are: Tomari no Seisan, Oshiro no Seisan, Arakaki no Seisan, Inami (or Iha) no Seisan, Kyabu no Seisan, and Motobu no Seisan. |
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