Difference between revisions of "Gojūshihō"
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| − | Gojūshihō (“54 Steps”) is a popular [[Kata|kata]] | + | '''Gojūshihō''' (“54 Steps”) is a popular [[Kata|kata]] that is part of many karate curricula. Gojūshihō is long and technically complex, so it is typically reserved for black belts. |
| − | No one knows who created | + | No one knows who created Gojūshihō, though its name suggests a Buddhist origin. Buddhists place an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108_(number)#Buddhism intense numerological significance] on the number 108 and its factors; 108 ÷ 2 = 54. Gojūshihō may have been imported from China, as many of its movements appear in the ''Bubishi'' ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wubei_Zhi ''Wubei Zhi'']), a popular military textbook from 1620’s China. Excerpts from this book circulating around Okinawa influenced karate's development. The ''Bubishi'' mentioned a fighting system called “The 54 Steps of the Black Tiger;” which may be Gojūshihō, or one of its evolutionary ancestors. |
==Directions== | ==Directions== | ||
[video of Gojūshihō, performed fast and slow, viewed from cameras at #1, 3, 7, 5. Be sure that you take up the whole frame. A lot of our old kata videos are from too far away, and it hides some detail. ] | [video of Gojūshihō, performed fast and slow, viewed from cameras at #1, 3, 7, 5. Be sure that you take up the whole frame. A lot of our old kata videos are from too far away, and it hides some detail. ] | ||
| − | + | {{#ev:youtube|TCizFcxoVoI|800|center|}} | |
[[File:Points_of_Harmony.png|center]] | [[File:Points_of_Harmony.png|center]] | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
#Rise up, [[Twisting|twisting]] into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #3 with a left supported [[Chūdan uke|chūdan uke]]. | #Rise up, [[Twisting|twisting]] into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #3 with a left supported [[Chūdan uke|chūdan uke]]. | ||
#Immediately execute a [[Double punch|double]] [[Ridgehand block|ridge-hand block]], followed by a [[Double punch|double punch]]. | #Immediately execute a [[Double punch|double]] [[Ridgehand block|ridge-hand block]], followed by a [[Double punch|double punch]]. | ||
| − | #Step your left foot to #3, [[Transitional stance|transitioning]] into a left [[Sanchin | + | #Step your left foot to #3, [[Transitional stance|transitioning]] into a left [[Sanchin dachi|sanchin dachi]], before [[Twisting|twisting]] into a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #7 with a right supported [[Chūdan uke|chūdan uke]]. |
#Immediately execute a [[Double punch|double]] [[Ridgehand block|ridge-hand block]], followed by a [[Double punch|double punch]]. | #Immediately execute a [[Double punch|double]] [[Ridgehand block|ridge-hand block]], followed by a [[Double punch|double punch]]. | ||
#[[Cat_stance#Inverted cat stance|Invert your cat stance]], stepping your left foot to #3, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #2 with a left [[Ridgehand block|ridge-hand block]], which immediately turns over into a left [[Grasping block|grasping block]]. | #[[Cat_stance#Inverted cat stance|Invert your cat stance]], stepping your left foot to #3, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #2 with a left [[Ridgehand block|ridge-hand block]], which immediately turns over into a left [[Grasping block|grasping block]]. | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
#[[Twisting|Twist]] counter-clockwise into an [[Attention stance|attention stance]] facing #5 with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]], and then a right punch to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]]. | #[[Twisting|Twist]] counter-clockwise into an [[Attention stance|attention stance]] facing #5 with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]], and then a right punch to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]]. | ||
#Slide your right leg back to #2, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5 with a right [[Shutō_block#Downward_knife-hand_block|downward shutō block]]. | #Slide your right leg back to #2, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5 with a right [[Shutō_block#Downward_knife-hand_block|downward shutō block]]. | ||
| − | #Step your right foot to #4, entering a right front stance facing #5, with a right | + | #Step your right foot to #4, entering a right [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5, with a right [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]]. Execute a left four-fingered [[Spearhand strike|spearhand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]]. |
| − | #Step your left foot to #6, entering a left front stance facing #5, with a left | + | #Step your left foot to #6, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5, with a left [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]]. Execute a right four-fingered [[Spearhand strike|spearhand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]]. |
| − | #Step your right foot to #4, entering a right front stance facing #5, with a right | + | #Step your right foot to #4, entering a right [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5, with a right [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]]. Execute a left four-fingered [[Spearhand strike|spearhand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]]. |
| − | #Step your right foot to #7, twisting and sinking into a right cat stance facing #3 with a left shutō guard. | + | #Step your right foot to #7, [[Twisting|twisting]] and sinking into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #3 with a left shutō guard. |
| − | #Execute a left front | + | #Execute a left [[Front kick|front kick]] to #3. Upon re-chambering, slide your left foot to #4, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #3 with a left shutō guard. |
| − | #Immediately step your right foot to #3, with your toes pointing to #1, entering an extended right hook stance facing #3 with a left shutō guard. | + | #Immediately step your right foot to #3, with your toes pointing to #1, entering an extended right [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #3 with a left shutō guard. |
| − | #Twist into a right sleeping crane stance facing #1, | + | #[[Twisting|Twist]] into a right sleeping [[Crane stance|crane stance]] facing #1. Quickly look to #7, while shooting your arms 45° upward to #7. |
| − | #Drive your left foot down to #3, entering a | + | #Quickly look to #3. Drive your left foot down to #3, entering a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #1 with a [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]]-level [[Double punch|double punch]] to #3. |
| − | #Twist into a left cat stance facing #7 with a right shutō guard. | + | #[[Twisting|Twist]] into a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #7 with a right shutō guard. |
| − | #Execute a right front | + | #Execute a right [[Front kick|front kick]] to #7. Upon re-chambering, slide your right foot to #6, entering a right [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #7 with a right shutō guard. |
| − | #Step your left foot to #7, with your toes pointing to #1, entering an extended left hook stance facing #7 with a right shutō guard. | + | #Step your left foot to #7, with your toes pointing to #1, entering an extended left [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #7 with a right shutō guard. |
| − | #Twist into a left sleeping crane stance facing #1, | + | #[[Twisting|Twist]] into a left sleeping [[Crane stance|crane stance]] facing #1. Quickly look to #3, while shooting your arms 45° upward to #3. |
| − | #Drive your | + | #Quickly look to #7. Drive your right foot down to #7, entering a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #1 with a [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]]-level [[Double punch|double punch]] to #7. |
| − | #Slide your right foot to #1, entering a left full-side-facing to #3, with a downward | + | #Slide your right foot to #1, entering a left [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] to #3, with a [[Hammerfist_strike#Downward_hammerfist_strike|downward hammerfist strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]] at #1. Your open left hand covers the right side of your face. |
| − | #Twist into a left cat stance facing #1 with a right downward backfist. Your open left hand is inside your right armpit, covering your exposed ribs. | + | #[[Twisting|Twist]] into a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #1 with a right downward [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]]. Your open left hand is inside your right armpit, covering your exposed [[Kyūsho#Floating_ribs|ribs]]. |
| − | #Step your right foot to #2, twisting into a right cat stance facing #5 with a left shutō block. | + | #Step your right foot to #2, [[[[Twisting|twisting]] into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #5 with a left shutō block. |
| − | #Execute a left grasping block. Step your right foot to #5, entering a left full-side-facing to #7, with a downward | + | #Execute a left [[Grasping block|grasping block]]. Step your right foot to #5, entering a left [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] to #7, with a [[Hammerfist_strike#Downward_hammerfist_strike|downward hammerfist strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]] at #5. |
| − | #Reset into a | + | #Reset into a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #7, with a left side shutō guard to #1. |
| − | #Slap opponent’s hand down with left | + | #Slap the opponent’s hand down with your left hand. Reach across your chest to grab the opponent’s hand with your right hand. |
| − | #Step right foot to #2, entering a left hook stance facing #1 with a left uraken uchi, pulling right hand to left armpit. | + | #Step your right foot to #2, entering a left [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #1 with a left [[Uraken uchi|uraken uchi]], pulling your right hand to your left armpit. |
| − | #Step your right foot back to #6, entering a left front stance facing #1 with a left downward-fist block. | + | #Step your right foot back to #6, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #1 with a left [[Downward-fist block|downward-fist block]]. |
| − | #Immediately execute a double | + | #Immediately execute a [[Double punch|double]] [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]]. |
| − | #Reach forward and grab the opponent by both lapels, pulling them down into a left knee | + | #Reach forward and grab the opponent by both lapels, pulling them down into a left [[Knee kick|knee kick]]. |
| − | #Step your right foot to #2, entering a right hook stance facing #1. Execute a left side | + | #Step your right foot to #2, entering a right [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #1. Execute a left [[Side kick|side kick]] to #3. |
| − | #Upon re-chambering, step your right foot to #8, entering a left hook stance facing #1 with a right | + | #Upon re-chambering, step your right foot to #8, entering a left [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #1 with a right supported [[Chūdan uke|chūdan uke]]. |
| − | #Step your right foot to #8, entering a right front stance facing #1 with a left downward-fist block. | + | #Step your right foot to #8, entering a right [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #1 with a left [[Downward-fist block|downward-fist block]]. |
| − | #Step your left foot to #8, entering a right hook stance facing #1 with a left uraken | + | #Step your left foot to #8, entering a right [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #1 with a left [[Uraken uchi|uraken uchi]], pulling you left hand into your right armpit. |
| − | #Step your right foot to #3, twisting and sinking into a right cat stance facing #7 with a left shutō guard. | + | #Step your right foot to #3, [[Twisting|twisting]] and sinking into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #7 with a left shutō guard. |
| − | #Invert your cat stance, stepping your right foot to #7, entering a right hook stance facing #6 with a right shutō block. | + | #[[Cat_stance#Inverted cat stance|Invert your cat stance]], stepping your right foot to #7, entering a right [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #6 with a right shutō block. |
#Step your left foot to #7, entering a left front stance facing #6 with a left cross-body block. Execute a reverse punch. | #Step your left foot to #7, entering a left front stance facing #6 with a left cross-body block. Execute a reverse punch. | ||
#Twist and sink into a left cat stance facing #3 with a right shutō guard. | #Twist and sink into a left cat stance facing #3 with a right shutō guard. | ||
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==Bunkai== | ==Bunkai== | ||
Movement 1 mudra | Movement 1 mudra | ||
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| + | ---- | ||
| + | {{Navigation}} | ||
Latest revision as of 15:02, 30 March 2026
Gojūshihō (“54 Steps”) is a popular kata that is part of many karate curricula. Gojūshihō is long and technically complex, so it is typically reserved for black belts.
No one knows who created Gojūshihō, though its name suggests a Buddhist origin. Buddhists place an intense numerological significance on the number 108 and its factors; 108 ÷ 2 = 54. Gojūshihō may have been imported from China, as many of its movements appear in the Bubishi (Wubei Zhi), a popular military textbook from 1620’s China. Excerpts from this book circulating around Okinawa influenced karate's development. The Bubishi mentioned a fighting system called “The 54 Steps of the Black Tiger;” which may be Gojūshihō, or one of its evolutionary ancestors.
Directions
[video of Gojūshihō, performed fast and slow, viewed from cameras at #1, 3, 7, 5. Be sure that you take up the whole frame. A lot of our old kata videos are from too far away, and it hides some detail. ]
- Stand in an attention stance with open hands at groin level; you left hand overlaps your right hand, with your palms facing inward. With strong nogare breathing, raise and rotate your hands into a palms-up position at solar plexus level, and clench your right hand into a fist.
- Step your right foot out to #8, kneeling on your left knee, facing #1, with a downward X-block.
- Rise up, twisting into a right cat stance facing #3 with a left supported chūdan uke.
- Immediately execute a double ridge-hand block, followed by a double punch.
- Step your left foot to #3, transitioning into a left sanchin dachi, before twisting into a left cat stance facing #7 with a right supported chūdan uke.
- Immediately execute a double ridge-hand block, followed by a double punch.
- Invert your cat stance, stepping your left foot to #3, entering a left front stance facing #2 with a left ridge-hand block, which immediately turns over into a left grasping block.
- Execute a reverse punch, front-foot punch, right front kick, and a reverse punch.
- Shift into a right front stance facing #8, with a right ridge-hand block, which immediately turns over into a grasping block.
- Execute a reverse punch, front-foot punch, right front kick, and a reverse punch.
- Twist counter-clockwise into an attention stance facing #5 with a left outside shutō block, and then a right punch to the opponent’s solar plexus.
- Slide your right leg back to #2, entering a left front stance facing #5 with a right downward shutō block.
- Step your right foot to #4, entering a right front stance facing #5, with a right ridgehand block. Execute a left four-fingered spearhand strike to the opponent’s throat.
- Step your left foot to #6, entering a left front stance facing #5, with a left ridgehand block. Execute a right four-fingered spearhand strike to the opponent’s throat.
- Step your right foot to #4, entering a right front stance facing #5, with a right ridgehand block. Execute a left four-fingered spearhand strike to the opponent’s throat.
- Step your right foot to #7, twisting and sinking into a right cat stance facing #3 with a left shutō guard.
- Execute a left front kick to #3. Upon re-chambering, slide your left foot to #4, entering a left front stance facing #3 with a left shutō guard.
- Immediately step your right foot to #3, with your toes pointing to #1, entering an extended right hook stance facing #3 with a left shutō guard.
- Twist into a right sleeping crane stance facing #1. Quickly look to #7, while shooting your arms 45° upward to #7.
- Quickly look to #3. Drive your left foot down to #3, entering a horse stance facing #1 with a groin-level double punch to #3.
- Twist into a left cat stance facing #7 with a right shutō guard.
- Execute a right front kick to #7. Upon re-chambering, slide your right foot to #6, entering a right front stance facing #7 with a right shutō guard.
- Step your left foot to #7, with your toes pointing to #1, entering an extended left hook stance facing #7 with a right shutō guard.
- Twist into a left sleeping crane stance facing #1. Quickly look to #3, while shooting your arms 45° upward to #3.
- Quickly look to #7. Drive your right foot down to #7, entering a horse stance facing #1 with a groin-level double punch to #7.
- Slide your right foot to #1, entering a left full-side-facing to #3, with a downward hammerfist strike to the opponent’s groin at #1. Your open left hand covers the right side of your face.
- Twist into a left cat stance facing #1 with a right downward backfist strike. Your open left hand is inside your right armpit, covering your exposed ribs.
- Step your right foot to #2, [[twisting into a right cat stance facing #5 with a left shutō block.
- Execute a left grasping block. Step your right foot to #5, entering a left full-side-facing to #7, with a downward hammerfist strike to the opponent’s groin at #5.
- Reset into a horse stance facing #7, with a left side shutō guard to #1.
- Slap the opponent’s hand down with your left hand. Reach across your chest to grab the opponent’s hand with your right hand.
- Step your right foot to #2, entering a left hook stance facing #1 with a left uraken uchi, pulling your right hand to your left armpit.
- Step your right foot back to #6, entering a left front stance facing #1 with a left downward-fist block.
- Immediately execute a double ridgehand block.
- Reach forward and grab the opponent by both lapels, pulling them down into a left knee kick.
- Step your right foot to #2, entering a right hook stance facing #1. Execute a left side kick to #3.
- Upon re-chambering, step your right foot to #8, entering a left hook stance facing #1 with a right supported chūdan uke.
- Step your right foot to #8, entering a right front stance facing #1 with a left downward-fist block.
- Step your left foot to #8, entering a right hook stance facing #1 with a left uraken uchi, pulling you left hand into your right armpit.
- Step your right foot to #3, twisting and sinking into a right cat stance facing #7 with a left shutō guard.
- Invert your cat stance, stepping your right foot to #7, entering a right hook stance facing #6 with a right shutō block.
- Step your left foot to #7, entering a left front stance facing #6 with a left cross-body block. Execute a reverse punch.
- Twist and sink into a left cat stance facing #3 with a right shutō guard.
- Invert your cat stance, and step your left foot to #3, into a right hook stance facing #4 with a left shutō block.
- Step your right foot to #3, entering a right front stance facing #4 with a right cross-body block. Execute a reverse punch.
- Pull your left foot in, then immediately step your left foot out to #7, kneeling on your right knee, facing #6 with a downward X-block.
- Execute a right nami-ashi, stepping your right foot to #1, entering a kiba dachi facing #3.
- Execute a double reverse elbow strike.
- Execute a double hook punch.
- Step your right foot out to #6, entering a left hook stance facing #5 with a double hook punch.
- Step your right foot to #4, entering a right front stance facing #5 with a double chūdan-uke.
- Execute a right downward-fist block, and reverse punch.
- Look over your left shoulder. Pull your right foot in before stepping out to #5, entering a full-side-facing to #7, with a downward hammer-fist to #1.
- Pull your right foot up to an attention stance facing #1. Goshin-Jutsu bow.
Notes
Bunkai
Movement 1 mudra
