Sanchin

Sanchin is perhaps the oldest kata to be found in all the different karate styles. Older versions can be clearly still seen in Southern Chinese kung fu styles (unlike many other karate kata which claim to have originated in China but which cannot be proven to have done so). The kata means 'three battles' and what this means precisely is unknown, though a common interpretation is that it refers to the 'battle' to control one's body, mind and spirit. In Chinese the kata is called saam ching and may trace its roots back to the Southern Shaolin Temple and perhaps, as author Nathan Johnson suggests in Barefoot Zen, to Bodhidharma himself, or at least to his inspiration as the founder of Ch'an / Zen Buddhism.

Whether Buddhist in origin or not, the kata also incorporates Taoist 'Immortality' ritual aspects and emphasizes forced breathing in conjunction with a distinctive pelvic movement whereby the pelvic bone is retracted on the in breath and pushed forward on the out breath.

The Goju ryu version of the kata performed by Master Morio Higaonna emphasizes dynamic tension and this is tested - sometimes severely - by heavy slapping. This may not be healthy (and in my opinion, it isn't) as the body is simultaneously starving the muscles of oxygen (through the tension) while also depriving the body as a while of oxygen (through the slowed, forced breathing). Author Mark Bishop draws attention to the fact that several high ranking Okinawan karateka have died at relatively young ages (and consider that Okinawan people currently have the highest average life expectancy anywhere in the world) of complications relating to their heart condition. He himself eventually quit the practice of the kata for this reason and I have also read that this practice is rejected by Chinese martial artists who execute their similar form without the forced breathing and dynamic tension. This kata is seen to represent the 'hard' aspect of Goju, with Tensho being the softer side.

Master Morio Higaonna performing Sanchin