This kata seems to have been brought to Okinawa by Higaonna Kanryo, who is
said to have learned it under the master Ruru Ko, or perhaps under Wai
Xinxian, who is said to have taught at the old Kojo dojo at Fuzhou City in
Fujian Province. Recent research has indicated that Ruru Ko was actually
Xie Zhongxiang, founder of Whooping Crane boxing, but this kata is not
included within that style, thus hinting that Higaonna had either learned
it elsewhere, or else developed it himself. However, here we run into a
problem, as Nakaima Norisato (founder of Ryueiryu) is also said to have
learned this kata under Ruru Ko. Another theory is that Miyagi may have
been responsible for creating this form or introducing it from other
sources.
The word Seiunchin is written as "Control, Pull, Fight" by many Okinawa
Gojuryu stylists, as well as Isshinryu teacher Uezu Angi (son in law of
Shimabuku Tatsuo), perhaps hinting at the various grappling and grabbing
techniques contained within. A good example is the "reinforced block"
which can actually be applied as a wrist-crushing joint lock (Tokashiki,
1995), and the "archers block" which can be used as a throw (Higaonna,
1981; Kai, 1987).
Otsuka Tadahiko, a Gojuryu teacher who has spent considerable time in
China and Taiwan researching the roots of his system, tells us that his
research indicates Seiunchin may mean "Follow-Move-Power" which would be
pronounced Sui Yun Jin in Mandarin Chinese (Otsuka, 1998). Kinjo Akio says
that his research has revealed to him that Seiunchin may be from a Hawk
style of Chinese boxing, and mean "Blue-Hawk-Fight" which is pronounced
Qing Ying Zhan in Mandarin, or Chai In Chin in Fujian dialect (Kinjo,
1999).
This kata is preserved in many modern styles of karatedo, including
Gojuryu, Shitoryu, Isshinryu, Shoreiryu, Kyokushin, Shimabuku Eizo lineage
Shorinryu, Ryueiryu, etc.
*from
The Kata of Okinawa Isshinryu Karate-do: An Informal Discussion on their
Possible Origins by Joe Swift
