The videos linked are definitely examples of Itosu gojushiho,
because they are from the same original source (Master Choshin Chibana), before
being slightly altered by at least one of the schools specifically referenced
for the kata performances, to result in a Shidokan Shorin Ryu version and a
Kyudokan Shorin Ryu version.
Sensei Maeshiro Morinobu of Shidokan Shorin Ryu karate kenpo, performing Itosu gojushiho (useshi/ueseishi):
Kyudokan Shorin Ryu karate kenpo Itosu gojushiho (useshi) demonstration:
Mabuni Shito Ryu has Mabuni gojushiho, the original source of Shotokan gojushiho [sho], as Sensei Kanazawa noted, and as can be seen for yourself quite plainly. Mabuni gojushiho is clearly Mabuni's version of Itosu gojushiho, with what may or may not be influence from other teachers such as Master Yabu Kentsu, if you view Yabu useshi (gojushiho) seen at least in "Classic Kata of Shorinji-ryu", by Leroy Rodrigues (you will see what I mean if you check, but in particular is the similarity with Yabu useshi's sword-hand techniques whilst moving forwards and flipping each hand over). Alternatively, the differences are purely of Master Mabuni's innovation. But it seems to close to be the case in certain instances like that which I mentioned.
Gojushiho [dai], being from Master Toyama originally, again noted by Sensei Kanazawa, is also a variation of Itosu gojushiho, though I am not yet sure who made what changes, because I have yet to see Toyama's original, though there are a couple of promising sources that may (or may not) answer the question. It can be seen that it is a combination of Itosu gojushiho and Matsumura gojushiho, with a variety of other alterations from either Master Toyama or Master Gichin Funakoshi or both. I don't believe it was Master Gigo Funakoshi in this case, and in many cases, because it is evident that Master Gichin Funakoshi made many of his own changes while he was still living in Okinawa, creating Okinawan Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu karate, as I call it. There is a lot of Itosu-Matsumura combination in Master Funakoshi's school, which would actually mostly be Itosu-Asato combination, due to Master Asato's lineage. That supports gojushiho [dai] being [Gichin] Funakoshi gojushiho [dai].
I believe that both Shotokan gojushiho kata are Funakoshi kata, as are the other kata of the school, some closer to the originals than others, and some completely new. And that it was the founder/first head of the school who made the main and final decisions about the content to be transmitted, though Master Gigo Funakoshi introduced many innovations. In the end, there is Japanese Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu, which is Shotokan karate - with Gigo Funakoshi's influence - and there is Okinawan Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu, which is the predecessor of Shotokan karate. They could also be called Japanese Shotokan Shorin Ryu, and Okinawan Shotokan Shorin Ryu, just as you have Kyudokan Shorin Ryu and Shidokan Shorin Ryu. Master Funakoshi just didn't like segregating with names, when it is all karate kenpo.
Gojushiho [dai], being from Master Toyama originally, again noted by Sensei Kanazawa, is also a variation of Itosu gojushiho, though I am not yet sure who made what changes, because I have yet to see Toyama's original, though there are a couple of promising sources that may (or may not) answer the question. It can be seen that it is a combination of Itosu gojushiho and Matsumura gojushiho, with a variety of other alterations from either Master Toyama or Master Gichin Funakoshi or both. I don't believe it was Master Gigo Funakoshi in this case, and in many cases, because it is evident that Master Gichin Funakoshi made many of his own changes while he was still living in Okinawa, creating Okinawan Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu karate, as I call it. There is a lot of Itosu-Matsumura combination in Master Funakoshi's school, which would actually mostly be Itosu-Asato combination, due to Master Asato's lineage. That supports gojushiho [dai] being [Gichin] Funakoshi gojushiho [dai].
I believe that both Shotokan gojushiho kata are Funakoshi kata, as are the other kata of the school, some closer to the originals than others, and some completely new. And that it was the founder/first head of the school who made the main and final decisions about the content to be transmitted, though Master Gigo Funakoshi introduced many innovations. In the end, there is Japanese Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu, which is Shotokan karate - with Gigo Funakoshi's influence - and there is Okinawan Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu, which is the predecessor of Shotokan karate. They could also be called Japanese Shotokan Shorin Ryu, and Okinawan Shotokan Shorin Ryu, just as you have Kyudokan Shorin Ryu and Shidokan Shorin Ryu. Master Funakoshi just didn't like segregating with names, when it is all karate kenpo.
Of course, students of Chibana-ha Shorin Ryu karate kenpo and its descendants may, possibly, say that this information is obvious. But it does not appear to be publicised, or at least popularly published if there is indeed some small trace of mention somewhere. Even in a DVD of Shidokan Shorin Ryu, entitled "Okinawan Karate & Kobudo Legends: Katsuya Miyahira", the titling during the kata demonstrations is incorrect in various instances, including the titles for gojushiho and jion, which are called Matsumura gojushiho and Itosu gojushiho respectively, while they should actually be Itosu gojushiho and jion. The producer made a big mistake there. If someone were to not know otherwise, as with most at the moment, they would think that those titles were correct, because they must be, mustn't they?! Even in that case of actually mentioning Itosu gojushiho, it is still wrong, when it was right next-door! Many sources commonly make statements such as the idea that both of the Shotokan gojushiho kata are Master Itosu's designs. As I have stated, with the comparative evidence easily available to be checked by the reader, this is not true, with more than one source proving that there was just one Itosu useshi (gojushiho) kata.
Sean R. Marshall
Sean R. Marshall
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