Please note that this review is actually on master Higaonna's monumental 18-volume series on Goju ryu karate from Panther Video. This is the most complete series ever done on the Goju style, and it deserves a separate review, so I thought I'd post it here under one of the volumes in his technical series videos, which are great videos also.
Before I get into that however, I should say that the videos in master Higaonna's Technical Series are excellent too. This volume, on Sepai and Saifa, cover forms for the middle kyu grades and are important kata also. The forms are done at walk-through pace or more slowly as well at the normal, faster speed, for easier learning, and are shown from the front as well as side. Applications or bunkai of the forms are also shown.
But getting onto the other set, this is master Morio Higonna's series on Okinawan Goju-ryu. This is without doubt the best, most complete, comprehensive, and detailed series on Goju ryu ever done. On these tapes Master Higaonna demonstrates all the forms, self-defense, Goju-ryu pushing hands, Guju-ryu "toide" or aiki-jitsu techniques, warm ups and exercises, basic techniques showing punches, blocks, strikes, kicks, stances, and footwork, and basically every aspect of the Goju-ryu system.
Most of the set is forms, which are of course an important part of any karate or kung fu system. In the forms videos, master Higaonna gives a brief lecture and introduction to the form, discussing the philosophical and combative meaning of the form, and any special points or aspects, and how it is to be performed.
Many forms incorporate a certain strategy or approach to fighting in addition to the techniques. For example, in one of the forms (unfortunately I forget which one) master Higaonna explains that the punches, in contrast to the usual karate style, are done from a high stance and are snappy rather than powerful. Others emphasize footwork and mobility and turning while fighting opponents, etc. After the introduction, master Higaonna performs the forms at regular and slow speed and from front and side angles for better understanding.
Master Higaonna's forms performances are, to use an overused word, nothing less than awesome. His focus and speed are simply amazing and his turns in advanced katas such as Suparimpei are lightning fast and he starts and stops literally on a dime. They are truly a sight to behold.
Here are the titles of the videos:
Vol. 1. Warm ups
Vol. 2. Stances and Footwork
Vol. 3. Punching Techniques
Vol. 4. Kicking Techniques
Vol. 5. Blocking Techniques
Vol. 6. Goju Pushing Hands
Vol. 7. Traditional Okinawan Self Defense
Vol. 8. Goju Sparring Techniques
Vol 9. History Part I
Vol. 10. History Part II
Vol. 11. Dai Ni Kata
Vol. 12. Saifa Kata
Vol. 13. Shisochin Kata
Vol. 14. Sanseiru Kata
Vol. 15. Sepai Kata
Vol. 16. Kururunfa Kata
Vol. 17. Sesan Kata
Vol. 18. Suparimpei Kata
Overall this is the finest set ever done on Goju ryu and perhaps of any style of karate. It just doesn't get any better than this.
