Kata Sanseru

Kata Sanseru is one of 4 main kata's of the Sanchin style which are originally brought out of early China by Kanryo Higaonna in what is now the style of GoJu Ryu.

Sanseru has a kanji meaning of 36 and in some styles this kata is also known as a the 'dragon kata'. Pulling under tension best describes how the kata should be approached. Slow and deliberate motions are geared upto the explosive kicks and strikes used throughtout the kata. Sanseru is a multi paced kata, from under tension slowness to explosive rapid striking in the kata using low kicks and double hand techniques.

The kata is focused on fighting in all four corners, basic but direct and hard techniques are used alongside some unique and advanced, close-in techniques. One example of this is morote ko uke (two handed wrist block) which has many close quarters fighting applications in this style.

Blind Sensei Mark Brown is performing the kata in this video, another excellent performance of the kata by the totally blind Karate instructor of Mill Hill Dojo.