TANREN BO CHYOSEN - THE BIRTH OF A KATA
It is extremely rare when us martial artists are witness to the birth of a new kata. Okinawan culture
and Karate styles demand that Kata principals should be practice as taught from generation to generation. But, once
every few decades an adept sensei, like in this case, Ota Hanshi 9th Dan, who has mastered the art, does add
to it by teaching in new ways and in this case, with a new Kata exercise.
The weapon, "Bo", the exercise "TANREN BO CHYOSEN". Ota, Hanshi has been composing this exercise
for a long time. Like a composer hums a toon until he place it on paper and lets the instrument play it, Ota, Hanshi
has been humming this exercise for quite some time. In the last years he has been teaching us the kata in little
segments or pieces. Most probably you have not even notice. Sensei's intent with this exercise is
to help us build accuracy and flow in the movements of the "Bo".
There is no reason to swing a "Bo" in Kata unless the practitioner has learn the basics of it first.
This exercise practices both the right and the left sides of the practitioners ability with the "Bo". Its last feature
is a challenge possed by Sensei to the student. Hence, "Chyosen" or "Chősen" as part of the name of this kata.
This term can be translated as "Challenge". The purpose is to repeat as many times as possible, both with
the right and then with the left side the last sequence of the form that encompasses a series of swings for blocking
and striking with both ends of the weapon.
"TANREN BO CHYOSEN" means "Small Training Challenge". You are first to learn the movements of the
form and then beggin by adding to the challenge. First, you do one repetition of the last series and then you start
on adding more repetitions (2, 5, 7) and keep on building until you get to 10 repetitions. A garanteed challenge!
"TANREN BO CHYOSEN" is Ota, Hanshi's gift to our continuos strive to better our art. I feel extremely
proud and lucky to have been there when Ota, Hanshi named this form and to have such a Sensei watching out for our training.
Joche Zapata, Sensei 5th Dan
Okinawan S.K.K.A (Puerto Rico)
March 19, 2007
