14.16 Saifa
Saifa is (perhaps) more commonly known as Saiha
(Chinese Zuofa) and is considered an advanced form. Saifa/Saiha/Zuofa, means
"Rolling Wave", "To Break" or "Smash" and is
therefore a significant element of the Kyokushin Budo Kai Kihon (consider the
Tsunami symbol of the International Kyokushin Budokai).
It is not really clear whether this form is a direct
descendant of, or was simply influenced by, the White Crane systems of the
Chinese Martial Arts. However, there is clearly a relationship between Saifa
and the White Crane systems.
This Kata works with many angled steps and circular
movements designed to parry an attacker. Also included are one legged crane
stances and a large number of different hand techniques (Tetsui, Uraken, Morote
Tsuki, Ashi Barai, Haito Uchi etc.).
Steps
Begin the Kata in Fudo Dachi.
Move into Musubi Dachi and Mokuso on the command
"Mokuso".
On the second command "Saifa", open eyes,
move into the Yoi position with Ibuki.
On the command "Hajime" move forward with
the right foot at 45°. Slowly bring the left foot to the right into Heisoku Dachi simultaneously move the hands so
that the right fist returns to the ready punch position (i.e. in
Tate Tsuki position) and the open left hand is placed
on the front of the right fist.
Grasping the right fist, snap the right elbow up in a
circular upper movement (looking the same direction the elbow is pointing).
Then the left hand covers using Jodan Shotei and the
right hand closed, moves inside the left ready to strike.
Move the left foot straight back into Kiba Dachi and
strike right Uraken Ganmen Uchi and simultaneously the left hand is pulled back
still in Shotei, to a cover position slightly above belt level.
Move the left foot forward at a 45° angle and repeat
the entire previous movements but striking with the left arm.
Move the right foot forward at a 45° angle and repeat
the entire previous movement, but striking with the right arm.
Move with the left leg 90° to the left simultaneously
turning the head in the same direction and position both hands for the block.
Pull the right leg slowly along the ground towards the
side of the left foot (keeping the hips facing forward) with the heel raised in
a ready kicking position, simultaneously with the above leg movement perform a
slow
double blocking movement with both hands open (right
hand moves downwards similar to Shuto Gedan barai and the left hand moves to a
position similar to Haito Uke) at the same time of the leg and arm movements
the head turns quickly to the front.
From this position kick right Chudan Mae Geri keeping
both hands in the original Position.
After the kick, without placing the right foot down,
position the right foot to the right approximately "two shoulder
widths" from the left foot, look to the left and move the left foot to the
right as illustrated and
position the hands in preparation to block.
Repeat the leg and blocking movements as previously
described.
Kick left Chudan Mae Geri and immediately after the
kick place the foot back so to end up in right Zenkutsu Dachi as the foot comes back execute Morote
Haito Uchi to the neck. Continue the hand movement so that
both hands are pulled back closed, to the ready punch
position.
Strike Jodan Morote Tsuki. With both fists in this
position, open both hands and swing them slowly down in a circular movement at 45° dosing the left fist
prior to striking the left palm with Tetsui (at approximately belt
height).
Step across with the right foot and turn 180° into
left Zenkutsu Dachi execute Morote Haito Uchi. Continue the hand movements to
the ready punch position and strike Jodan Morote Tsuki. Open both hands and
swing them
down in a circular movement and strike right Tetsui
into the open left palm.
Move the right foot towards the left and slightly in
front to perform a leg sweep, simultaneously the right fist is positioned above
and behind the head in preparation to strike.
Turn 180° to complete the movement on the left leg,
keeping the right knee as high as possible, cover left Shotei stamp the right foot down into right
Sanchin Dachi and strike right Tetsui Oroshi Ganmen Uchi pulling
the left hand back into the ready punch position and
KIAI.
Open the right fist and execute a fast tensho hooking
movement and punch left Shita Tsuki pulling the right hand back closed to the
ready punch position.
As previously described move the left foot towards the
right and execute a sweep.
Turn 180° stamping the foot down into left Sanchin
Dachi and strike left Tetsui Oroshi Ganmen Uchi and KIAI. Open the left fist
and execute a fast tensho hooking movement and punch right Shita Tsuki pulling
the left
hand back closed to the ready punch position.
Move forward with the right foot into right Zenkutsu
Dachi and punch Chudan Oi Tsuki.
Move forward 45° to the right pivot on the left foot
and turn quickly, with the right arm extended, hand open, and the open left
hand in the ready punch position (the right hand is held at approximately neck
height).
Pull back slowly into right Neko Ashi Dachi
simultaneously pull the right hand towards you as if hooking the neck and at
the same time the left hand slowly strikes Chudan Yonhon Nukite (palm upwards -
the final position should be with the right hand over and in line with the left
Nukite position and not extended beyond it).
Block Gyaku Shuto Mawashi Uke and Ibuki (the Ibuki is
performed on the Shotei part of the Shuto Mawashi Uke).
The Kata is completed by moving the right foot back
into Musubi Dachi and the Mokuso position is retained until the command
"Naore" when the Fudo Dachi position is taken.