Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura
He was born in Karafuto, Japan on February 22, 1942. Kaicho Nakamura has been studying martial arts since the age of eleven. He was a very distinguished practitioner of Kyokushin Karate as he won many tournaments and honors. In 1976 he founded the World Seido Karate Organization. His organization incorporates a philosophy which places more value on the spirit rather than on physical strength or technical prowess. Another key element to the Seido philosophy is that Seido karatekas should work to include everyone and work together.
World Seido Karate Organization
-Meditation
One major element of the Seido Organization that makes it so unique is that it incorporates aspects of Zen meditation without any sort of spiritual connotations. In each meditation class, karatekas focus on controlling their breathing. The emphasis on breath control is great because it is where both the mind and the body meet in the sense that you can control your breathing and if you try to stop, your body will start again no matter how hard you try.
*Updated 5/9/13*
-Kata
I have mentioned practicing kata many times in my blog but have never really taken the time to explain what it is. According to Kaicho Nakamura, it is "defending from an imaginary attack occurring from all different directions." This is the way it was described to me when I first started Karate when I was a child. Many different basic techniques are combined to form kata. These techniques consist of blocks, strikes, kicks, punches and even basic stances which are combined to form a sequence of movements that may seem simple, but contain the foundations necessary for being successful in martial arts. Being a series of movements, kata trains individuals how to move, specifically between stances, and how to maintain balance while executing various techniques.
The translation of "kata" is "shape" or "form." Kaicho Nakamura also writes that katas or forms are an integral part of traditional martial arts. They are connections to the past masters and their wisdom and as a result, they are practiced constantly and regularly throughout a martial artists' career.
*Updated 5/16/13*
There are several types of kata and each of them were created by masters who, through kata, tried to distill certain lessons into their students.
Taikyoku Kata- Roughly translates to overview, or "large view," these are the first kata that Seido karatekas learn.
Pinan Kata - Translates to peace and harmony, as far as my training goes, I have learned the first and second kata of this type.
Sanchin Kata - According to Kaicho Nakamura, these kata are the oldest. Sanchin translates to "three points," which is related to the fact that the purpose of these kata is to train many parts of the karateka at one time, specifically the mind, the body, the techniques, the internal organs, and the three ki which are in: the top of the head, the diaphragm, and the lower abdomen
Gekisai-dai and Gekisai-sho - Translated, Dai means large, Sho means small, Sai means fortress, Geki means breakdown.
Yansu - Translates to pure which is meant to instill the idea that a karateka should maintain their ideals.
Tsuki No Kata - Translates to fortune and luck and these kata are supposed to embody the idea that through hard work and constant effort good fortune will happen as a result.
Saiha - Translates to big wave relates to the idea that no matter the size of the problem, it is possible to overcome it with strong determination.
Tensho - Translates to "rolling" or "fluid" hand.
Seienchin - The purpose of this kata is to reinforce the idea that karatekas need to maintain a strong, non-quitting spirit.
Ba Kata Chion - Translates to "sound knowledge" which is what is needed to perform a kata effectively and purposefully.
Koryu-gojushiho - Translates to "54 steps" which embodies the idea that a step in one's life is linked to both the one before it, and the one after it. There is a similar connection between the traditional and the modern life, meaning that all of one's achievements rest solely on everything that one has done and that has affected oneself.
Kanku - Translated, Kan means good observance and Ku means universe, air, or emptiness. Known as the "rising sun," through techniques it signifies that no one thing, no difficulty is so bad such that it changes the "basic reality of existence."
(All information here is gathered from the sources listed on the running bibliography)
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