Seienchin - 征遠鎮

Seienchin means conqueror and subdue over a distance, or attack the rebellious outpost. The characters mean: Sei - 征 (‘subjugate' or 'attack the rebellious’), En - 遠 (‘distant’), and Chin - 鎮 (‘tranquilize’). In feudal Japan, Samurai warriors would often go on expeditions lasting many months, and they needed to maintain their strength and spirit over a long period of time. The word ‘Seienchin’ can also be translated here as ‘control’, ‘pull’ or ‘fight’, as a hint toward the various grappling and grabbing techniques.


Seienchin Kata was studied by Miyagi-Sensei (founder Goju-ryu) in China, possibly in the Fujian province of China where Kanryo Higaonna had studied, and later introduced in Okinawa around 1883 as an exclusive form of Naha-Te. Technically it is a Kata with Bai-He-Quan roots (Fujian White Heron), but some instructors say the Kata also has Xingy (‘Tiger’) style influence. The Kata is described as having 'Yin and Yang' in its performance due to the contrast between hard and soft or slow and explosive. It is as if the ‘storm erupts from the calm phases of the Kata'. It utilizes very low Kiba Dachi stances, and the dynamic breathing and block/striking techniques are typical of the Naha-Te style. Seienchin is believed to be one of the most conserved Kata practiced by different styles including Kyokushin.


Seienchin is unique among advanced Kata because it has no Geri techniques. The hook blocks within the Kata hint at its Chinese origin. Seienchin introduces Age-Tsuki and Hiji-Barai (performed with both elbows, at the same time, at the end of Kata); both techniques are designated for close-range combat. Correct breathing, smoothness of movement, pivoting in and out of Kiba Dachi, and effective use of open and closed hand techniques are important points in the performance of this Kata.


Kanryo Higaonna had many notable students, including Chojun Miyagi (founder of Goju-Ryu and teacher of Gogen Yamaguchi) and Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shito-Ryu). Both of these masters would have learnt the Kata from him and Seienchin Kata is preserved in both these systems. Mabuni is generally credited with being the person who took Seienchin Kata to Japan when he moved there with his family in 1920.


Known as the Southern Kata within Kyokushin Karate, the Seienchin was developed from Mas Oyama's training for Kyokushin under sensei Nei-Chu So. Sensei So was a student of Gogen Yamaguchi.

Seienchin - 征遠鎮
video instructions

# Explanation step by step 2e Dan
Begin the Kata in FUDO DACHI. Move into MUSUBI DACHI and MOKUSO on the command MOKUSO. On the next command Seienchin, open eyes and wait until the command YOI. Then start perform a slow YOI DACHI with IBUKI that ends in HEIKO DACHI
1. On the command move the right foot forward and turn at , simultaneously both open both hands on your own shoulder heights, wrapped them around an imaginaring ball, and bring it slowly under water at your own belt level (SEIKA TANDEN). On the command HAJIME/ICHI move the right foot forward turning the body 45° counterclockwise into KIBA DACHI, simultaneously open both hands on your own shoulder heights, and execute a slow SHOTEI MOROTE GEDAN UKE (hands in KANKU form).

Picture yourself wrapping your hands around a ball, and bring it slowly under water at your own SEIKA TANDEN.
2. Scoop and slowly raise both open hands to the front of your own face, bringing both elbows together (close the armpit), and then slowly drop them (with closed hands) towards both sides into a SEIKEN MOROTE GEDAN BARAI.
3. In the same position look to the right and cover with a fast left SHOTEI and execute slowly a right HAITO UCHI UKE, returning the left hand back in closed HIKITE. Perform a right KAKE UKE (TENSHO) and pull towards the body, simultaneously strike with a slow left CHUDAN YONHON NUKITE (1).
4. Move the left foot forward turning the body 90° clockwise into KIBA DACHI, simultaneously open both hands on your own shoulder heights, and execute a slow SHOTEI MOROTE GEDAN UKE (hands in KANKU form).
5. Scoop and slowly raise both open hands to the front of your own face, bringing both elbows together (close the armpit), and then slowly drop them (with closed hands) towards both sides into a SEIKEN MOROTE GEDAN BARAI.
6. In the same position look to the right and cover with a fast right SHOTEI and execute slowly a left HAITO UCHI UKE, returning the right hand back in closed HIKITE. Perform a left KAKE UKE (TENSHO) and pull towards the body, simultaneously strike with a slow right CHUDAN YONHON NUKITE (2).
7. Move the right foot forward turning the body 90° counterclockwise into KIBA DACHI, simultaneously open both hands on your own shoulder heights, and execute a slow SHOTEI MOROTE GEDAN UKE (hands in KANKU form).
8. Scoop and slowly raise both open hands to the front of your own face, bringing both elbows together (close the armpit), and then slowly drop them (with closed hands) towards both sides into a SEIKEN MOROTE GEDAN BARAI.
9. In the same position look to the right and cover with a fast left SHOTEI and execute slowly a right HAITO UCHI UKE, returning the left hand back in closed HIKITE. Perform a right KAKE UKE (TENSHO) and pull towards the body, simultaneously strike with a slow left CHUDAN YONHON NUKITE (3).
10. From this position bring your right foot back, turn 45° clockwise, taking the opponent’s hand all the way back with the right hand into HIKITE (on top of the left open hand). Lunge into a right MORO ASHI DACHI, and strike with right SEIKEN CHUDAN TSUKI with KIAI, while supporting the right forearm (KOTE) with the left open hand on top.
11. Step back with the right foot into right ZENKUTSU DACHI, performing a left SHUTO JODON UKE, followed by a right CHUDAN HIJI ATE into the left open hand (the palm fist is facing your own face).
12. Move forward 45° clockwise into a right KOKUTSU DACHI while performing a slow block right CHUDAN MOROTE UCHI UKE from the left shoulder.

Fast pull back both hands in right Wiki no KAMAE (right fist, left open), and block left TE KEN SASAE UKE (augmented/supported wrist block with open hand on fist).
13. Move the left foot forward and turn the body 90° clockwise into KIBA DACHI, with left SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI (still looking in the same direction). Step back 180° counterclockwise with left foot in KIBA DACHI, with right SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI (still looking in the same direction).
14. Move the left foot and turn 90° counterclockwise into a left KOKUTSU DACHI while fast pulling back both hand in WIKI NO KAMAE (left fist, right open) and then performing a slow left TE KEN SASAE UKE.
15. Move the right foot forward and turn the body 90° counterclockwise into KIBA DACHI, with right SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI (still looking in the same direction). Step back 180° clockwise with right foot in KIBA DACHI, with left SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI (still looking in the same direction).
16. Move the left foot back 135° counterclockwise into KIBA DACHI and simultaneously execute a slow right SHOTEI YUMI BARAI (KATA GURUMA, is a judo throw, but also called SEIENCHIN no KAMAE).
17. Move the right foot back 180° clockwise into KIBA DACHI (still looking in the same direction) and simultaneously execute a slow left SHOTEI YUMI BARAI.
18. Move the body forward at 90° counterclockwise, close your right foot in a low HEISOKU DACHI, and make a right SEIKEN SOTO UKE, align your left SHOTEI hand with your right forearm (TE KOTE). Step in further to the front in left SANCHIN DACHI striking a right URAKEN OROSHI GANMEN UCHI (left hand remains open, palm down, right elbow on top of the left hand), with KIAI.

migi EMPI no ue ni hidari Haishu - right elbow on top off left open backhand.
19. After a right cross-step turn 135° counterclockwise into a left SANCHIN DACHI with a slow left SEIKEN UCHI UKE / GEDAN BARAI.
20. Slide forward, turning the body 90° counterclockwise in a KIBA DACHI striking a right SEIKEN JODAN AGE TSUKI with KIAI, followed by a right URAKEN SAYU GANMEN UCHI (left hand cover with SHOTEI block in the middle of the body) and finish with a right SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI.
21. Move the right foot back 180° clockwise into KIBA DACHI and simultaneously block left SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI.
22. Move back your right foot into right NEKO ASHI DACHI (turning the body 135° clockwise) and simultaneously execute a right HIJI MAE CHUDAN (AGE) ATE (the arm from below and raise).
23. Move back the right foot into left NEKO ASHI DACHI and simultaneously execute a right HIJI MAE CHUDAN (Age) ATE.
24. After a left cross-step turn 135° clockwise into a right SANCHIN DACHI with a slow right SEIKEN UCHI UKE / GEDAN BARAI.
25. Slide forward, turning the body 90° clockwise in a KIBA DACHI striking a left SEIKEN JODAN AGE TSUKI with KIAI, followed by a left URAKEN SAYU GANMEN UCHI (right hand cover with SHOTEI block in the middle of the body) and finish with a left SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI.
26. Move the left foot back 180° clockwise into KIBA DACHI and simultaneously block right SEIKEN GEDAN BARAI.
27. Move back your left foot into left NEKO ASHI DACHI (turning the body 135° counterclockwise) and simultaneously execute a left HIJI MAE CHUDAN (AGE) ATE (the arm from below and raise).
28. Move back the left foot into right NEKO ASHI DACHI and simultaneously execute a left HIJI MAE CHUDAN (AGE) ATE.
29. Move your right foot into a right SANCHIN DACHI and execute a right URAKEN OROSHI GANMEN UCHI (right elbow on top of the left fist).

migi EMPI no ue ni hidari Haishu - right elbow on top off left open backhand.
30. Move the right feet back into left KOKUTSU DACHI and simultaneously perform a HASAMI UKE (SHUTO MOROTE OROSHI BARAI) with IBUKI.
31. Move the left foot back into MUSUBI DACHI and the MOKUSO position is retained.
The Kata is completed on the command NAORE the FUDO DACHI position is taken.

At the command YASUME relax and at ease.


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Video

Seienchin - 征遠鎮
source Youtube


Documentation

Instructions Seienchin - 征遠鎮


Kihon Waza
Dachi Waza

Fudo Dachi
Mosubi Dachi
Joi Dachi
Heiko Dachi
Kiba Dachi
Moro Ashi Dachi
Zenkutsu Dachi
Kokutsu Dachi
Sanchin Dachi
Neko Ashi Dachi


Te Waza

Chudan Yonhon Nukite
Seiken Chudan Oi Tsuki
Hiji Chudan Ate
Uraken Oroshi Ganmen Uchi
Seiken Jodan Age Tsuki
Uraken Sayu Ganmen Uchi
Hiji Mae ChudanAte


Uke Waza

Shotei Morote Gedan Uke
Seiken Morote Gedan Barai
Haito Uchi Uke
Kake Uke
Shuto Jodan Uke
Te Ken Sasae Uke (Morote Uchi Uke)
Seiken Gedan Barai
Shotei Yumi Barai (Kataguruma)
Seiken Soto Uke
Seiken Uchi Uke / Gedan Barai
Shuto Hasami Uke (Shuto Morote Oroshi Barai)


Kihon Jutsugo

Kamae - 構え, means posture or base. Kamae is to be differentiated from the word Dachi - 立ち. Dachi refers to the position of the body from the waist down, Kamae refers to the posture of the entire body, as well as encompassing one's mental readiness.Kamae
Mokusō - 黙想, means meditation, part of the training of mushin; the call to meditate.Mokuso
Hajime - 始め, means begin.Hajime
To look at the sky.Kanku
Seika tanden 臍下丹田, Lower abdomen; center of the abdomen; Litalary: 'the red rice paddy below the navel'.Seika Tanden
Spirit unification; the union of breath and energry in a cry.Kiai
Hikite - 引き手 means drawing hand: Hiku - 引き, to draw or pull, and Te - 手, the hand.Hikite
HandTe
FistKen
ForearmKote
Supported blockSasae Uke
Hand throwing technique in JudoKataguruma
Posture in Seienchin after KATAGURUMA (a judo throw).Seienchin no Kamae
Ibuki is karate’s hard breathing method. Ibuki breathing is a study of tension, which is necessary to truly understand relaxation. While ibuki breathing serves as a dynamic tension exercise, its true value is ki development, since it teaches the breathing control necessary for kiai. Ibuki breathing is performed in two ways, one long, and one short. Ibuki
Naore - 直れ, is a command to go back into the beginning Kamae.Naore
Yasumi - 休み, is a command to rest or relax.Yasume