IKA / IMA & Graham Slater ARTICLES 3
Australian Impact magazine Nov 1993 No 19
SPIRIT KATA
Tenshingoso is the foundation of Shintaido (a new wave martial art) along with a few other sections such as Hikari, Tawaamureru and Eiko.
by Graham Slater
Hiroyuki Aoki (a gifted master who is highly skilled in more than 50 traditional Kata) along with his followers formed the Shintaido around 1968. Aoki Sensei and many of his followers reached the highest level in Shotokai Karate in 1965 under Shigeru Egami before breaking away to form the Rakutenkai. This group was made up of around 36 high grade martial artists (5th Dan in Shotokai Karate). The Rakutenkai set out to find new heights in the martial arts discovering the unknown threshold of physical limitations and enter the source of psychological strength (beyond technique). Aoki Sensei and his followers set out on a Traditional 1000 days training continuing without a break regardless of winter or summer elements and illness. The group would often be training through the night starting at I I pm through to 4 am. The training was so severe that before they commenced with the group they had to put their homes and family in order, even make their wills, for the attitude was "Do or die"; some thought they may not return.
Such courage and dedication in training would have to, achieve results. The formulation of a martial art, Shintaido, was the result.
The various moves in Tenshingoso are believed to be used to defend against almost every situation, so complexed are developer's thinking. It is also thought to the core of spiritual (KI) and sensory development, hence my interpretation as the "Spirit Kata".
Tenshingoso Practice:
Vocalize "UNN" whilst in a squat position, tucking your head tight into your knees. Holding your thumb lightly in your right hand and hold your fingers with your left fingers. Drop both your arms and look forward with your eyes closed or half open. Try to clear your mind of all thoughts and ideas. From here you spread your feet apart, throw your arms back and start to stand up while vocalizing "AAHH". Continue drawing the arms back in an arching fashion until they are reaching up towards the sky. Reach as high as you can, even rise onto your tip toes.
Next twist your arms and hands so that your thumbs are towards the front. Continue by vocalizing "EEE" and draw your hands to your forehead, then push forward as if you were blocking in a cutting fashion.
While vocalizing "III", bring your hands forward with the feeling of pressing together or scooping up something. Continue the movement until you can see through your hands and view the sky, view the KI.
Changing the vocalization to "00OH" raise your arms in a circular fashion bringing them all the way back and continue until they are pushing out in front of you.
Finally bring your hands in together, vocalizing "UUNN", relax and return to the first stage.
It is believed that, even if you only practice Tenshingoso once or twice each morning, you will get immediate results. You will find a deeper calm, a state of peace and wellbeing. Tenshingoso is not just a Kata of movement but a way of giving and receiving energy of the universe. Its deeper benefits are for all to explore and hopefully for all to share. Vocalizing the 5 Japanese vowels are essential in the Kata's practice. Many martial artists use
some of the vowels in mainly "AAHH","EEEH" and "IIII".
For example, in tournament sparring perhaps one might scream "IIII" while delivering reverse punch this sound accentuates the effect of short sharp techniques.
Maybe there is a large gap between two practitioners and one charges in screaming "AAAHH" this tends to help big powerful running movements.
Ever tried to perform strong thrusting techniques such as front or side kicks while vocalizing "UUNN"? Your technique probably does not feel that effective, but try "EEEHH" you will feel the difference.
"OOOHHH" might be the sound you make when you are hit (1) but its better used in throwing or lifting techniques.
"UUNN" can be used in falling or rolling techniques and in sinking to regain one's centre (balance).
The same sounds that helped to enhance your kick or punch can be the same ones that can stop or redirect an attacker's techniques.
If one can catch an opponent's attack at a certain point using the appropriate sound it can enter his thought process then, either walking away the "will" for the attack or steering him in another direction.
At the right moment "AAHH" is good for redirecting or leading your opponent.
''IIII'' is good for hitting your opponent with hard-short-sharp blocking or block/ strike simultaneously.
"UUMM" can take away an attacker's fight, stopping him in his tracks, providing you enter his space dramatically at the crucial time.
"OOHH" is good for breaking one's opponent's hip strength and balance, even lifting and throwing him.
"EEHH" can be used in leading/redirecting or striking an opponent.
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