Yui Shin Kai Karate

This Yui Shin Kai open hand system forms part of the Ryukyu Kobujutsu approach and the Ryukyu Kobujutsu approach forms part of the Yui Shin Kai Karate approach. The overlaps and affinities are many and it was Sensei Inoue's vision that both are necessary and interlinked and should be studied in conjunction to fully understand his vision and form part of the complete approach of Bujutsu

The style was created by Sensei Motokatsu Inoue and the name Yui Shin Kai is interpreted as "in the pursuit of the understanding of Budo, only the heart, spirit and mind exist".The name originated from the founder of the style, Seiko Fujita (1898-1966) the last true Ninja and headmaster of the Koga Ninjitsu Ryu.

He was the watchful guardian of Motokatsu Inoue (Julian Mead's teacher) from childhood. Seiko Fujita gave Inoue Sensei permission in 1948 to open a dojo in Shimizu City and named the style, also creating the calligraphy which forms the style's logo.

In addition to the aforementioned Inoue Sensei trained with Choki Motobu, a close friend of Yasuhiro Konishi, renowned for his kumite and study of Naihanchi Kata. This is reflected in the system.

In addition to the kata and bunkai the system also includes many aspects of Seiko Fujita's close quarter training. He felt Karate too linear and Akido too circular and his training drills reflect the principles of Nan Ban Sato Ryu. The system also incorporates many elements of Sensei Shioda's Akido. Fujita felt his approach to be more practical and relevant to actual applications and this was integrated into the Yui Shin Kai approach

The system follows strongly the three principles of Japanese Bujutsu; Kihon, Kata and Kumite. It systematically teaches the building blocks of Waza (technique), followed by the usage approach of Genri (principles). This builds the necessity of Heiho (strategy) and builds the character for Seishin (spirit) and Kokoro (heart). The principles of strategy (Sen no Sen, Go no Sen and Tai no Sen) form an important part of the approach in Yui Shin Kai Karate Jutsu.

The syllabus starts with Shuri Te and from Shodan commences the practise of Naha Te. This is paramount to the evolution of the student from long distance waza to shorter more powerful internal technique. Yui Shin Kai embodies the necessity of Tai Sabaki (body movement) but recognises the training needed to hold the line.

Knife work (Tanto and Hamno dori) is introduced from Shodan and combined with the Kobujutsu training the realisation of bunkai that works is evident.

Kumite forms a strong part of training and the traditional approach in Japan did not hinder the success of students when they entered open competitions. This ability to walk both floors of fighting is a clear indicator of the style content being relevant to the building of the qualities needed to be a student of Bujutsu and the adaptability needed to be successful.

The Yui Shin Kai Kata

Translated as form kata embodies the strengths from Kihon and builds the combination and understanding of Bunkai translated as analysis of movement and its meaning. It makes you aware of its purpose and why the movement is necessary within the kata. Its Embu-Sen or kata line is traditionally 90 degree and 45 degree angles. I have listed the most common kata broken down into the styles. Many of the kata have more than one name due to style identity and character interpretation.

In addition to the above there are different ways of doing many of the kata and they are commonly identified with a teachers name preceding it. Passai and Kushanku have the most kata styles. A further list allows you to see how many adaptations there are and how many other kata ther are to be practiced. This is not complete as there are others but with the old traditionalists suspicion has been cast on many kata that have suddenly materialised in the last 30 years.

Some kata are called a different name, some of the common variants being:

Pinan - also called Heian and taught often in a different order. Some styles start with Pinan (Heian) Nidan first and others with Shodan first. Nidan is translated as two and Shodan one, so the approach has some merit. Naihanchi - also called Naihanchin from the style and Tekki commonly used in Nihon Karate Kyokai (Shotokan) and named by Gichin Funakoshi. Kushanku - also called Kanku and Kosoken/Koshokun Passai - also known as Bassai Shoto Wanshu - also known as Empi Chinto - also known as Gankaku Seisan - also known as Hangetsu Jitte - also known as Jutte