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This material and these pages are copyrighted by Elmar T. Schmeisser (1998 - 2008), and may not be reproduced and/or distributed by any means without written and signed permission by the author.

The following notes document a set of bunkai (technique application examples) that are constructed as a dynamic sequence. This series allows a continuous visualization of an opponent during the entire kata by the performer, without missing or overlapping motions in the kata sequence. It is of course only one of many such bunkai that can be constructed for this kata. I assume that the viewer already knows the basic sequence and layout of this kata.

DISCLAIMER: As is usual with this type of material, neither the author of this page, nor the web page hosts can or will accept any responsibility for injury, damage or death resulting from direct or indirect use of any information in these or linked pages.  This material is presented for educational purposes only as an example of historical pre-firearm fighting methods found in Japanese and Okinawan martial arts.




  1. The first attacker is to your left
  2. Accept an incoming left handed stepping punch by executing a classical up block with the right hand (grabbing if possible), and the left hand simultaneously executing a hammer fist into the face.
  3. Slide the left hand along the arm towards the wrist, while slipping the right hand around the attacking hand and using it to strike just above the elbow.
  4. Grab the arm with the right hand, pull back and downwards while executing a hammer fist with the bones at the bottom of the wrist into the jaw/neck area (link to picture sequence).

  5. Repeat the defense to the other side, first with the up block and hammer fist,
  6. Then attack the elbow joint,
  7. Finish with the attack into the neck (link to picture sequence).

  8. With a new opponent, capture the attacking right fist with the left hand, hammering into the back of the fist with the right and drawing the attack off balance. Use the leg lift to slash/pull at the inner aspect of the attacking knee while pulling the captured hand to your own left hip. Immediately execute the side snap kick/backfist combination.
  9. Slip the right hand to the back of the attacker's head and push it forwards as you move to slightly behind him, still hanging onto, and pulling up, the captured fist. Switch grips and strike with the knifehand.
  10. If you've grabbed wrongly, switch the grip on the fist by moving the thumb under the wrist; lift, push and step forward to complete the throw (link to picture sequence).

  11. A new attacker comes from the front and grabs both wrists. Turn both wrists upwards and take the attacker's right hand off your own left wrist with your right hand. This removal will twist the attacker off balance, especially with the stepping in knife hand strike.
  12. Trap/strike the attacker's left forearm, and take another step in to deliver a thumb knuckle or palm heel strike into the neck.
  13. Move the attacker's head towards your left elbow, and using the pivot as well as the knifehand block movement itself, execute a throw. If done carefully, you can maintain a cross-body arm bar as a control on the opponent (link to picture sequence).

  14. Pick up a new opponent's left stepping punch with the sweeping "setup" motion of the next knifehand block, simultaneously executing a spear hand to the throat. Grab the arm just above the elbow with the thumb's point hooked into the crease between the muscles on the inside, step in and strike.
  15. Maintain the grips and by levering the right elbow on the shoulder and the knifehand itself on the chin, pivot and throw.
  16. If he doesn't fall, move in and attack again, holding the elbow bent with the fist trapped under the armpit (link to picture sequence).

  17. A new opponent attacks with a right hand stepping punch. Parry with the left hand, then sweep against the elbow before locking it with the reverse inside block.
  18. Execute a short front kick into either the support knee, thigh or short ribs, depending on distance.
  19. Step in and counterpunch to the short ribs (liver area). The pullback will complete the elbow break. For practice sake, allow the fist to escape to your right side with your pullback.
  20. Slip the counterpunch hand between the attacker's body and arm, executing a back fist strike to the face/neck area while pulling opn the captured hand.
  21. Deliver a second front kick to either leg while forcing him back.
  22. Deliver another counterpunch to the short ribs (spleen area), keeping the arm captured with the pullback hand.
  23. Take the opponent's head to your left shoulder. Reset the grip, taking the face, and execute a neck twisting throw (link to picture sequence).

  24. A new attacker comes in with a left middle to lower level stepping punch. Spin into it and attack it with a down block.
  25. Immediately grip the attacking limb and lift it with a light pulling motion.
  26. Step in and deliver the upblock into the opponent's throat, dropping the initial attacking limb behind your neck, thus twisting the attacker.
  27. Pull the opponent over so that he falls onto your right front stance leg with the pivoting down block motion (link to picture sequence).

  28. The final opponent attacks with a left handed grab of your right wrist. Lift that wrist and stretch the arm upwards.
  29. Enter and attack either the elbow or the face, depending on the opponent's position.
  30. Finish by rolling the captured arm and pushing the upblock hand behind the attacker's left shoulder, lower both hands while pivoting back to complete the shoulder lock (link to picture sequence).


This same type of analysis is the substance of my kata classes, and will be (slowly) published, kata by kata, as I figure them out and document them.

last update: 27 August 1998

©ElmarT. Schmeisser, 1998