Linking the Chishi to Kata, Bunkai and Anatomy

Without hojo undo, there is no Goju Ryu. We take a deep dive into how the chishi improves our kata and our bunkai, while also showing the physical and anatomical benefits of the chishi.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Exercise 1: swing and drop
02:46 - Bunkai/applications
05:31 - Exercise 2: Over-shoulder
05:59 - Applications
09:06 - Exercise 3: 180 & 360 degree shoulder drop
14:00 - Discussion on conditioning and ude tanren
15:11 - Exercise 3 continued: Age uke and deltoid training
21:30 - Exercise 4: double-handed grab and drop

@GKCgoju

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Video produced by:
Zoe Jagger-Hinis

[GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Sensei Zoe made magic with all the editing

[micheledannunzio]

I've been doing goju since 1987, but watching your video, I understand that the Way is still so long. Thanks Sensei!

[matthews]

A wonderful video by Sensei Che, that links Hojo Undo to Kata and bunkai - which gives meaning to the Gojuryu System and context for doing what we do in the dojo. Chi-Ishi come in various sizes and weights, the long one in the Video trains the entire arm, should and back muscles, the small one we'd use to train the wrist - I think this illustrates the intricacy of Gojuryu training as a system, and also that of Sensei Che's dojo to have both sizes on demo (lots of people have demonstrated/tried the large one, not so the small one (I've only seen them in Sensei Higaonna's home dojo years ago).My sensei used to teach this: During the Chi-Ishi exercises, one should also grip the handle of the Chi-Ishi tightly, in-order to train gripping power at the same time, also we were trained to slow down on the last part of the action of lifting the Chi-Ishi upright, thus relying on the forearm's and the wrist's rotational strength rather than momentum of the swinging Chi-Ishi to complete the exercise.
Sensei Che covered some aspects of Ageuke, showing how it could be a parry, deflection with muchimi - yes, Gojuryu traditionally didn't have the Jamming upper block that we now find in the Geki-Sai series Kata. The Geki-Sai katas were only created in 1940, with the view of creating unified/universal Kata that covered techniques from different traditions, hence Chojun Miyagi Sensei incorporated the Ageuke that we see often in Shotokan/Shorin Ryu. The only Ageuke in the other Gojuryu kaishugata is really the open-palmed pull found in Seiyunchin, a technique that intercepts and drags the opponent's arm rather than a jam (as Sensei Che pointed out). Anyway, raising one's arm to block something coming at our face, is almost an instinctive response that even untrained people will resort to without ever spending a day in the dojo, so I think it pays to build on this instinctive response and make it into a robust form of defense/offence. We were taught to make the Ageuke posture with the forearm at a slight angle (not horizontal) twisting the forearm into position upon the final approach, then end with a little drag/muchimi for the last two we were taught to emphasize using the power of the upper arm to do the raising, so that overall this block is applied more as a parry towards the side of the head. Anyway, we'd also train this block while holding the ishi-sashi or the Chi-Ishi.

[barbarba]

Thank you Sensei and Deshi for your continued hard work. Once a again a great watch. Missing classes already.... Thank you Sensei Zoë for you hard work and editing. Sending love to all. 💗💪🥰

[mounirkm]

Thanck youuu sense, this will help many karatikas to understand kata, next time🙏

[a.batista]

OSS. Nice the mention that concept, the inmobility of the elbow.

[ctcm]

Thank you so much for this video. When Sensei Che said: "Chi-ishi is Karate training" a big smile on my face appeared. I absolutely LOVE practicing with my Chi-ishi. It's my favorite Hojo Undo tool and since I made one for myself there's an extra connection to it. 🙂

[terrysanders]

Hi Che and Zoe, Appreciated the muscle and bone illustrations! Also, seeing a familiar name was a pleasant surprise! Happily, there is a 2 pound sledge available. We also have a 16 pound sledge hammer nicknamed "Arnold" for beating on a large tractor tire. Merry [almost] Christmas! Terry.

[koshinryukempo]

Greetings from Oz, y'all! Thankyou, Senseis (and deshi) for yet ANOTHER edifying clip. Wonderful idea to correlate hojo undo with kihon/kata, and REALLY appreciate the anatomical/physiological exposition, and the insightful editorial additions provided by Zoë... i learn something from you guys every time i watch, and love the purity of what GRKC 'brings to the table'. Have been pondering the pros/cons of including light chiishi drills as regular part of training for our kiddles, and you've convinced me we should. And breathlessly atremble in anticipation of ANYthing you might do on Suparinpei! Dow'nunder we call chiishi (and axe handles) 'aussie memory sticks'... one whack with that and they never forget THAT bad choice (memory stick is aussie slanguage for a usb drive). Hoping you good folk enjoy a safe, blessed, peace-and-joy filled CHRISTmas!

[stevegray]

As usual a brilliant video and explanation, gave me lots of food for thought. Merry Christmas

[jmardo]

Thanks for another great video! Love what you're doing with your channel.

[rikkic]

Thank you for a very interesting and informative video.
I believe that hojo undo would help develop a strong healthy body even if you don’t practice Karate
Kind regards

[Burvedys]

Bunkai of chiishi is when you hit somebody with a chiishi. Osu!

[abominablesnowman]

Chishi may have come from those objects, but I guarantee the creation itself (putting those objects together) was influenced by Indian Clubs, which had spread far and wide by this time, and we know Okinawan was a huge trading country with many, many countries.

[grilledcuttlefish]

How much training would you recommend before starting hojo undo? Should a student be familiar with several kata beforehand, or can they start with lightweight chishi without much experience (a couple months maybe)?

[ikikatabudoacademycom]

Hi Che can I send you a private message?

[ikikatabudoacademycom]

Che Can I send you a private message ?