Seichusen, the center line, and enbusen, the
demonstration line, have been explained in the
introduction. We decided to take this part to a
separate introduction to assist our commentary of kata. There is so much to mention about one
movement of even a mechanical part of one
movement, but in order to not keep repeating we will introduce terms that we use in our book. Also, it can’t be emphasized enough that it is very difficult to put the feeling of a technique or process into words.
As previously mentioned, kata is a flowing
method that operates with a set of basic elements that are isolated and later on mixed in order to
create an educational system. Pinan kata are the setup to Kushanku, which are kata that learn to control one’s own body from the outside to the inside. Naihanchi, Seishan and Chinto are the realm of kata that teaches the generation of power from the inside to out. This is what we mean by educational system. In a way, they are stepping stones to get deeper into the function of (and harmony of mixing) the elements.
We refer to all these as center lines, because all of these lines cross the center of gravity. Explanation on the center of gravity is mostly by pointing to a location on the ground, where the exact center of your weight is located.
There are 4 center lines at play.
Seichusen 正中線 – radial axis (right in the middle line/ correct center line)
First, there is the center line which has been explained in the introduction. We refer to this center line as ‘seichusen’. The
seichusen is a radial axis. Imagine the axis being a standing pole from the ground to up pointing to the sky. The seichusen crosses the center of gravity.
Yokochusen 横中線 - horizontal center line
We talk about the horizontal center line in kata, when the body is moving over a track that is exclusively
sideways. The line crosses the center of gravity in a horizontal manner.
Tatechusen 縦中線 – vertical center line
This line is the vertical line on the ground, that is
always pointing straight forward right in front of you, or straight back. These lines are imaginary so they are infinite in length.
Nanamechusen 斜中線 – diagonal center line
This line is mixing both the horizontal and the
vertical concept. Of course our body should be
always moving using all lines or coordinates. However, to understand it, it is easier to think of them being used separately. Especially in kata, these lines are quite strict.
Think about a chessboard. The tower is to be used on the horizontal or vertical line exclusively. The
bishop is only allowed to travel in a diagonal line and the queen is allowed to travel horizontal,
vertical as well as diagonal. The queen is bound to the chess board and can’t change color when moving in a
diagonal line, the knight is only able to switch.
We are not bound to a chessboard so we should use all these lines in harmony in order to move to the
appropriate position. In kumite gata these lines are
often mixed to teach correct positioning.
However, in kata these concepts are isolated in a
more structured manner in order to teach
the basic principles of movement.
KATA