Monday, February 8, 2010
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Empi
Flying Swallow
This again is a very popular kata for competition, and because of the lightning speed performance of many of the techniques, it is both very dynamic and extremely beautiful to watch. The kata ‘Enpi’, or ‘Empi’ as many associations call it can be translated to mean ‘Flight of the swallow’, and when you watch an effective performance of this you will see why.
Anyone who has ever watched Asai sensei or Yahara Sensei perform this kata will fully appreciate the value of this kata. The swallow flutters up and down in defence against its predator to make capture as difficult as possible, and like this defence mechanism employed by the bird, this kata acts out the same kind of movements, raising with the knee, and then dropping to kosa-dachi.
Power in this kata is not quite as obvious as a kata such as Sochin, which uses deep-rooted stances. Instead, this kata creates power through movement, making this kata quite deceptive.
This kata was formally known as Hanshu, although the kata we practice today has been greatly modified by Master Itosu. Master Funakoshi however gave this kata it's name while trying to make this okinawan art accessible to the Japanese audience.
This kata introduces age-tsuki, while also using a huge, highly athletic jump. This kata requires lightness on the feet, and through training in this kata, you will learn to move quickly and generate power through momentum and movement.
