It is always problematic to describe a kata in words. English is
just not suited to accurate description of three-dimensional movement. Some might
feel like it is a waste of time. Clearly learning the kata from this
webpage will be hopeless. However, if you knew the kata at one point
and are trying to recall if a strike is shomen or yokomen, this page
might just help.
I have used times to denote the ending direction for each step.
The assumption is that you will be facing in the 12:00 direction initially (so 3:00
would be to your right).
Begin with the base of the jo on the floor in front of your left foot. Hold
the jo with your left hand. Say "ready" and extend the top of the jo towards your opponent; the
base will rise and the jo should naturally land in the palm of your right hand.
The jo will more-or-less horizontal at this point.
From this position begin counting for the kata.
Thrust at opponent's throat and then retreat to upper guard. The initial
thrust will accompanied by a slide step forward along the line-of-attack.
The retreat is also a slide step back and to your left. You will end in
left hanmi at a slight angle to the line-of-attack and the tip of your jo
will be pointed towards your attacker. (finish in 11:00 direction)
Repeat #1 i.e., slide step back onto the line-of-attack and thrust again,
then slide step back off the line-of-attack to upper guard (finish in right
hanmi at 11:00)
Step through with back foot. As you do this slide the back hand to the
front and release with the front hand so that you can grab the base of the
jo. Finish with a right yokomen strike. (11:00)
Now step across the line-of-attack with your back (left) foot. Do a
reverse yokomen as your right foot sweeps rightward so that you finish in
left hanmi in the 1:00 direction.
Release with left hand and grab the other end of the jo as you turn right
180 degrees and slide your right foot onto the line of attack. This movement
is like a low thrust to the knee of the person attacking from behind. This
movement ends with both feet on the line of attack and blends into the next
step...
which is a large step through with left foot and a repeat of #1 (thrust on
line with retreat to upper guard off the line-of-attack). You will finish
in left hanmi at 7:00. #5 and #6 should be continuous.
This is a repeat of 3 (s)
repeat 4 (s)
turn right 180 and bring the jo down (n)
slide step tsuki (right foot in front) (n)
repeat 4 and change hands
repeat 1
repeat 3, then let the jo slide through your hands so it is behind
strike with ishizuki to opponent's face
strike between opponent's eyes with ishizuki
let go with right hand repeat 1
repeat 13
duck as you move forward to sweep opponent's leg from side
tsuki with ishizuki to stomach
flip and tsuki with kissaki to stomach
let jo slide through hands and step forward with right foot as
the ishizuki strikes chin in upper cut
let go with left hand and tsuki to throat with kissaki
Tips:
Count, then move. The reason to count out loud is to guide the rest of
the students through the kata. If you move as you count, then they will always
be a half-step behind you. This is especially important to remember when testing.
Kiai on # 6, 13, 17, and 22.
When raising the jo to upper guard, relax your shoulders and lift the jo naturally
with both hands.