Budo no Kukyo – 武道の空虚: October 2017

Thursday 12 October 2017

Kata Focus - Sochin

Sochin was introduced to Okinawa by Seisho Arakagi based on what he learnt in China from Ru Ru Ko, along with other various Karate and Kobudo Kata.

This Kata possibly has its origins within the Dragon style of Kung Fu. Sochin bridges the gap between Naha-te and Shuri-te as it originates within the Naha line with Arakaki (Naha master) but the most common versions today are from Shotokan (from Shuri/Tomari).

Arakagi taught this Kata to Higashionna who in turn taught it to Kenwa Mabuni.

Mabuni’s style of Shito-Ryu is based on both Naha-te and Shuri-te, as he learnt Karate from both Higashionna and Itosu.

It is plausible that Gigo Funakoshi learnt Sochin from Mabuni as he was the person who then introduced Soshin into the Shotokan syllabus.

The Kata utilises the stance Fudo Dachi (which some styles call Sochin Dachi) maintaining a low centre of gravity. This stance is practical/stable and strengthening at the same time, making Fudo Dachi good for both training and bunkai.

Sochin is quite dynamic and rooted in the ground at the same time. Given its various origins and influences Sochin is unlike any other Kata.

The Meaning of the Kata’s name, ‘Tranquil Force’, can have many different interpretations. The most obvious interpretation is that the name simply refers to the type of techniques used in this Kata. To watch the Kata one might describe the movements as “Tranquil”. Another interpretation might be a description of Sochin’s non-lethal bunkai. As all the bunkai in the Kata would only stop an attacker rather than to permanently injure or kill the opponent (of course this type of non-lethal application of bunkai is not unique Sochin).