Jitte no Konbo

Funakoshi jitte gata with the bo (konbo / kon). I don't think it fits perfectly, but there are only a few techniques that don't work so well. Overall it does work as a bo kata. 

This concludes what needs to be shown for the ryuha hyoho section. I am finishing the online second edition of Origins of Shotokan, called A Study of Master Gichin Funakoshi's Ryukyu Kenpo Karate, with more written sections and some photos. The next project to illustrate my work on Funakoshi karati is an illustrated book of all of the kata, including bunkai and hojo undo. I have decided it should be pictorially focused as other researchers have presented the worded side of Master Funakoshi's teachings and history, so I don't feel there is much I can contribute in that area. The book might be called Funakoshi Okinawan Karate Kenpo no Kenkyu.

Jitte no Sai

Funakoshi jitte applied to the sai. Master Funakoshi practised saijutsu, but it is not known what, if any, kata he knew. The term jitte also refers to a sai-type of weapon. It is a weapon that is used to defend against a sword and catch it. The sai is, as Master Funakoshi illustrated, also used for defending against, and catching, a bo. I believe you should know saijutsu as well, if you study bojutsu. I wouldn't say that jitte applies perfectly to the use of the sai. Probably the best kata to apply to weapons are passai [sho] (bojutsu), kusanku [sho] (bojutsu), wansu (bojutsu), and niseshi (saijutsu). Matsumura rohai works well with the sai, and Funakoshi sochin works nicely with the kama. Jitte has sections that work well with the bo and the sai, but also parts that can be applied like any karate kata, but which don't fit so effectively. 

Niseshi nu Sai

Funakoshi niseshi (nijushi-ho) using the sai. As with Funakoshi bojutsu, there does not appear to be evidence of sai kata taught by Master Gichin Funakoshi. He definitely taught techniques with both weapons, though. I have read about niseshi being a kata to be used with the sai. This is a version of how it could be applied to saijutsu.

Aragaki Sochin by Master Kenwa Mabuni

These photographs appeared in Genwa Nakasone's Karate-Dō Taikan in 1938. They are shown here for research purposes, to illustrate clearly a version of Aragaki sōchin which is meant to be the correct version. This is to compare with the other version linked in Ryuha Hyoho and to contrast with Funakoshi-Kudaka sōchin. 

Passai nu Bo

Funakoshi passai [sho] bojutsu

Okinawan Funakoshi Kusanku nu Bo

Funakoshi kusanku [sho] bojutsu

Crescent kick section from different angles

Funakoshi Okinawan Mariti Kata (Chinte)

Mariti is Okinawan for chinte. They both mean "unusual hands". This is an illustration based on my study of Funakoshi karate which includes comparison with other styles, schools and versions of the kata. Mariti contains about 48 techniques including special techniques. I believe it should be studied carefully. 

Funakoshi Okinawan Unsu with variation of finger-tip strikes

In the same way as Funakoshi useshi / gojushi having varied versions of finger-tip strikes, as noted by Sensei Iwaki Nobuhiro, as well as being shown in the many versions of gojushiho and unsu, the latter kata, derived from Master Aragaki's unsu and with alterations making it Funakoshi unsu, can also be performed with different types of finger-tip strikes. This is also according to Sensei Iwaki Nobuhiro.

Variations of the finger-tip strikes in Funakoshi unsu:

https://youtu.be/G018pwKYbVc

Funakoshi Okinawan Useshi [Dai] Kata - Variation of finger-tip strikes

This version is inspired by the demonstration by Sensei Iwaki Nobuhiro of the Japan Karate-Do Federation, former Director of Keio University School of Medicine Karate club. He shows some of the different ippon nukite and crane beak techniques you might use, but himself employs an ippon nukite crane beak strike. This is interesting as he demonstrates a version of authentic Funakoshi karate, which can be compared in various instances with other Keio University Karate sensei in particular, as well as Sensei Ohshima's Shotokan Karate of America, though depending on what exactly is being compared. It is best to follow others who are more experienced than yourself and then decide if those methods actually work for you and your own body. In terms of research into old Funakoshi karate, it is necessary to listen to the experts and retain an open mind.

Variations of the finger-tip strikes in Funakoshi useshi [dai]:

https://youtu.be/C7E15hriJco

Tiger-style Boxing in Okinawan Karate (Okinawan-Chinese Boxing)

Tiger-style press ups are one difficult method of push ups. I was taught finger-tip press ups when I was a child in Zimbabwe, Africa, from the age of 8. I believe it is an important method for strong karate/quanfa. There are a few kinds of tiger-style press ups. How you practise depends on your own body. Breathing exercises are practised before and after tiger-style methods, and after such strenuous training you should also practise counting [200] leaves, rolling [eyes] stars, and expanding the mind (standing meditation). A tiger's eyes are sharp. You must learn to fight with your eyes. You also need to relax your body and mind and ensure good circulation (going hand-in-hand with breathing) is fostered throughout hard training. The mind must also be trained to be calm and conceal ferocity, with the spirit in reserve hiding the spirit in release. These exercises develop the essence of tiger boxing, which is jing, essence, internal force or internal power. Related to qi (internal/intrinsic energy) and involving shen (mind/spirit), it is far more internal than you might think or than it necessarily looks.