14.17 Tensho
Tensho Kata was created by Miyagi Chojun O'Sensei
(Goju). Tensho literally means "turning", "rolling" or
"fluid" hands and this Kata represents the "Ju" (softness)
of Goju. Miyagi O'Sensei developed this Kata from the "Rokkishu" Kata
of the Fukian White Crane System.
Tensho emphasizes smooth movements and can be
considered the counterpart to the Sanchin No Kata which has very hard
movements. Where Sanchin No Kata is hard, Tensho is soft. Tensho consists of
only three steps forward and three steps back and this may, at first, sound
very easy. However, the hand movements and breathing method require a high
level of co-ordination. Tensho is about refinement, perfection, concentration
and focus.
When one masters the Tensho Kata, one comes to a
fundamental understanding of the "soft" aspects of Karate.
The wrist is very important in Tensho. It must be
relaxed and loose so that contact with an opponents attacking arm results in
the arm being taken and controlled (an important aspect of close combat) and
not lost again. This is the principle of Kakie Sticky Hands.
Tensho was Mas Oyama's favorite Kata.
Steps
Begin the Kata in Fudo Dachi.
Move into Musubi Dachi and Mokuso on the command
"Mokuso".
On the second command "Tensho", open eyes,
move into the Yoi position with Ibuki.
On the command "Hajime" move into right
Sanchin Dachi simultaneously slowly blocking Morote Chudan Uchi Uke (no Ibuki
Nogare breathing).
In the same position slowly bring the left fist back
to the ready punch position (to a mental count of four).
Inhale and execute, at a moderate speed, a right Jodan
Tensho circular hooking movement. Immediately reverse the hand movement using
Shuto completing the technique at the ready punch position, hand open (block or
strike) (on both the circular movements inhale sharply with short breaths).
Execute a right Jodan Shotei Uchi with Ibuki. Position
the right hand as shown and execute at a moderate speed a circular movement similar to Shuto
Hizo Uchi continuing the circular movement back to the ready punch position
with the right hand open.
Inhale and execute a right Shuto Gedan Uke with Ibuki.
From this position slowly execute a right Jodan Koken
Uke and immediately follow with a right Shuto uchi komi with Ibuki, striking
forward and down.
Immediately follow with a slow right Koken Hizo Uchi
whilst inhaling and execute a right Chudan Shotei Uchi with Ibuki.
Move forward into left Sanchin Dachi simultaneously
blocking Morote Chudan Uchi Uke and Ibuki.
In the same position slowly bring the right fist back
to ready punch position (to a mental count of four).
Inhale and execute, at a moderate speed, a left Jodan
Tensho circular hooking movement. Immediately reverse the hand movement using Shuto
completing the technique at the ready punch position, hand open (block or
strike) (on both the circular movements you inhale sharply with short breaths).
Execute a left Jodan Shotei Uchi with Ibuki.
Position the left hand as shown and execute a circular
movement similar to Shuto Hizo Uchi continuing the circular movement back to
the ready punch position with the left hand open.
Inhale and execute a slow left Shuto Gedan Uke with
Ibuki. From this position execute a slow left Jodan Koken Uke and immediately
follow with a left Shuto uchi komi with Ibuki striking forward and down.
Immediately follow with a slow left Koken Hizo Uchi whilst
inhaling and execute a left Chudan Shotei Uchi with Ibuki.
Move forward into right Sanchin Dachi simultaneously
blocking Morote Chudan Uchi Uke with Ibuki.
In the same position inhale and execute at a moderate
speed a Morote Jodan Tensho circular hooking movement.
Immediately reverse the hand movement using Morote
Shuto completing the technique at ready punch position (block or strike) (on
both the circular movements you inhale sharply with short breaths).
Execute Morote Jodan Shotei Uchi with Ibuki.
Position both hands as shown and execute a circular
movement similar to Morote Shuto Hizo Uchi continuing the circular movement
back to the ready punch position with the hands open.
Inhale and execute Morote Shuto Gedan Uke with Ibuki.
From this position execute a slow Morote Jodan Koken
Uke and immediately follow with Morote Shuto Uchi Komi and Ibuki striking
forward and down.
Immediately follow with a slow Morote Koken Hizo Uchi
whilst inhaling and execute Morote Chudan Shotei Uchi with Ibuki.
From this position quickly execute, in a forward
direction, a double hooking movement (positioned at height of neck) and slowly
return both hands open, to the ready punch position whilst inhaling.
Execute Morote Chudan Yonhon Nukite to the solar
plexus with Ibuki.
Repeat the double hooking movement and slowly return
both hands, open, to the ready punch position whilst inhaling.
Execute Morote Chudan Yonhon Nukite with Ibuki.
Repeat the double hooking movement and slowly return
both hands, open, to the ready punch position whilst inhaling.
Execute Morote Chudan Yonhon Nukite with Ibuki.
Quickly move back with the right leg into left Sanchin
Dachi and execute a fast Shuto Mawashi Uke inhale and execute Morote Shotei
Uchi (right hand Jodan left hand Gedan) with Ibuki.
Quickly move back with the left leg into right Sanchin
Dachi and execute a fast Shuto Mawashi Uke inhale and execute Morote Shotei
Uchi (left hand Jodan right hand Gedan) with Ibuki.
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.