Itosu Useshi (Gojushiho) Variants: Master Kanken Toyama's "Koryu Useshi" (Part 2 of a set of articles about gojushiho)

Though I still intend to purchase a copy of, ideally, the translated version/s of Master Kanken Toyama's work/s, at present there does not appear to be such an edition, so Sensei Mario McKenna's kind publication of the images of Master Toyama's koryu useshi (gojushiho) is very welcome indeed, for my purposes of research into both Itosu useshi and Funakoshi useshi (dai & sho). The pictures, found here, illustrate the original version of Shotokan's gojushiho [dai], before it was (as is evident) changed by Master Funakoshi upon receipt, to become Shotokan karate's own version of that particular gojushiho/useshi kata, which is clearly related to Itosu useshi (demonstrations linked in the previous post to this one, entitled "Itosu Gojushiho (Useshi/Ueseishi): The Evidence of Master Itosu's Version of the Kata"). There are several alterations to koryu useshi, but nothing particularly major. More changes appear to have been made to Mabuni useshi, to create gojushiho [sho].

It is clearly known from the evidence that there is Matsumura useshi in Matsumura Seito karate, and two versions of gojushiho in Shotokan karate which are derived from Mabuni useshi and Toyama's koryu useshi. And there are demonstrations which illustrate two variations of the useshi that seems to be Itosu useshi. However, is that version definitely Master Itosu's original? What about Mabuni's or Toyama's? They seem like plausible candidates for possessing and transmitting the original. And why did Toyama call his kata "koryu useshi" if it wasn't the "old style" of useshi (at least, the old style of Itosu useshi)? 

Toyama's and Mabuni's contain similarities and differences to one another's versions. Both are related to Shidokan's and Kyudokan's useshi kata. Toyama's is closer to the Shidokan and Kyudokan version/s, while Mabuni's at times resembles "[Yabu] Kentsu useshi", and otherwise seems to be a definite unique variant created by Master Mabuni. I believe it is evident that the latter conclusion is true (it is Mabuni useshi, derived primarily from Itosu useshi). And koryu useshi is really just a variant of Itosu's useshi kata, also, making it, on one hand, perhaps legitimately "Toyama useshi" to distinguish its lineage, but on the other hand actually just a version of useshi which may or may not be the original Itosu useshi, but is certainly related and similar, in this case appearing more similar than Mabuni's useshi (Toyama useshi resembling Shidokan and Kyudokan useshi more so than the former - Mabuni useshi - does. And with distinguishing names being allocated to each variation of useshi/gojushiho, even if they are quite similar to other versions, those of Shotokan karate should also be entitled appropriately for historical purposes. Therefore, they are Funakoshi gojushiho [dai], derived from Toyama useshi (more or less a variant of Itosu useshi), and Funakoshi gojushiho [sho], derived from Mabuni useshi (a variant of Itosu useshi, and perhaps [Yabu] Kentsu useshi additionally). And both Funakoshi gojushiho/useshi kata are, more or less, variations of their respective original source kata, making them validly unique versions of useshi with Itosu useshi as their bases. 

I think that Toyama useshi helps to prove what Itosu useshi looked like, as does part of [Yabu] Kentsu useshi and part of Mabuni useshi. The Itosu useshi found in Shidokan and Kyudokan Shorin Ryu are very similar to each other, and may possess some influence from Master Chibana (so they are not necessarily examples of the original Itosu useshi/gojushiho). Nonetheless, Itosu useshi is evident from the various sources compared and compiled as one. And it is now clear [to me] that the useshi kata of "Shotokan Shorin Ryu karate" definitely both experienced changes most probably made by Master Gichin Funakoshi, furthered from the alterations made by the originators of the source-versions of those two kata, being Masters Toyama and Mabuni respectively for gojushiho [dai] and gojushiho [sho]. The foundations of each kata can be seen in the illustrations of Toyama useshi and Mabuni useshi, with perhaps more similarities between Toyama's and gojushiho [dai] than Mabuni's and gojushiho [sho], though both showing great evidence proving their respective origins. 

The third installment on the topic of Itosu useshi will link a video that I will film of demonstrations of useshi kata for comparison, including what could legitimately be called Itosu useshi (gojushiho), though it is based on the various variants. 

Sean R. Marshall

Funakoshi passai [dai] - Itosu & Matsumura passai kata combined - Funakoshi-ha Shorin Ryu karate kenpo

From the documentary DVD-film, Origins of Shotokan, available on Amazon.co.uk

Check out the latest issue of Shotokan Karate Magazine, Issue 120, for my article entitled "The Okinawan Origins of Japanese Shotokan Karate".

Origins of Shotokan (Trailer): inc. Naihanchi, Useshi (Matsumura Gojushiho, rather than Itosu Gojushiho, in this particular footage), Kusanku, Bojutsu, Saijutsu, and Hojo Undo: Makiwara (Machiwara), Nigiri Game, Striking Stones (Ishi) - Iron-body/palm...

From the documentary DVD-film, Origins of Shotokan, available on Amazon.co.uk

Check out the latest issue of Shotokan Karate Magazine, Issue 120, for my article entitled "The Okinawan Origins of Japanese Shotokan Karate".

Hojo Undo - Iron-body Method - Hitting self with sticks - Funakoshi-ha Okinawan Shorin Ryu karate kenpo

From the documentary DVD-film, Origins of Shotokan, available on Amazon.co.uk

Check out the latest issue of Shotokan Karate Magazine, Issue 120, for my article entitled "The Okinawan Origins of Japanese Shotokan Karate".

Comment on the karate book, "Shotokan Mysteries..."

I took a quick look at the preview of a book called "Shotokan Mysteries: The Hidden Answers to the Secrets of Shotokan Karate". Scrolling down to see if I might be interested in purchasing the Kindle edition, I read a section discussing the reason for the frequent use of back-stances (kokutsu-shitsu dachi - bent rear-knee stance). The author states that the back-stance is a development of Master Gichin Funakoshi's, based on his "encounter" with Master Kano Jigoro's judo-ka. Whatever the demonstration actually contained, what the author says is not true, and not based on research, but on theory. Master Funakoshi developed many of the kata to be his own versions, and in some cases, to be essentially his own creations entirely. This is largely based on his studies under various teachers, principally including Masters Asato and Itosu. Combining the teachings of both of these lineages resulted in the kata devised and the new versions of kata developed by Itosu, to be altered and developed with the inclusion of the teachings of Master Sokon Matsumura's lineage through Asato, primarily, besides directly from Matsumura. In Matsumura's school, it can be observed that the back-stance exists prominently, proving my point. These changes were made by Funakoshi while he resided in Okinawa before the 1920s, and probably long before, since he was teaching karate in Okinawa for around 15 years before moving to mainland-Japan.