Customer Reviews

Goju Ryu Karate Technical Series 1 - Seipai & Saifa (Tsunami) [VHS]

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This is a masterpiece of these kata of Okinawan Goju-Ryu system: Saifa and Seipai. I bought this video to learn the Saifa Kata, and I can tell you that is really good mainly because you can see many views of it execution. I think the key points of this video are: Full and slow camera execution Different angles view Lecture on these Kata

Additionally this video serves like a reference guide in the study of these Kata.

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.

I study a branch of Goju-Ryu that has more modern versions of these kata. I purchased this tape in order to learn the more traditional versions of these kata. This is an excellent tape to learn from. The slow motion, multiple angles, lecture and bunkai make this tape an excellent way to study at home. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to supplement their studies at home. The forms are very traditional and full of the fundamentals. I have watched the tape at least 10 times and am still not finished studying it.