Koei-Kan
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Koei-Kan Karate-Do is a karate style that was developed by Master Onishi Eizo in 1952. Koei-Kan can be translated from Japanese to "Prosper with Happiness." Onishi Eizo was the pupil of two famous Okinawan Karate Masters, Toyama Kanken (1888-1966) and Kyoda Juhatsu (1887-1968). Master Onishi opened his first Koei-Kan dojo on April 2nd, 1954 in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Koei-Kan has a unique form of full contact fighting called Bogu Kumite (sparring with armor protection). The armor, called bogu, consists of a mask to protect the face and a construction to link the movement of the head to the movement of the shoulders. It was developed to allow the practitioner to strike an opponent with full contact without fear of serious injury. Another unique aspect of Koei-Kan training is its systemized method of body transfer called Tenshin Waza, which incorporates methods of body transfer, dodging, evasion, footwork, rolling, and breakfalls.
Onishi Sensei was also an expert in Naha-te and Shuri-te. The Koei-Kan kata syllabus includes 5 Pinan Kata, 3 Naihanchin, Sanchin, Sanseiru, Seisan, Chinto, 4 Kushanku Kata, 2 Passai Kata, Sepai, Gojushiho, Suparinpei, Jaken Ichiro, and Renchiken Ichiro. Kobudo kata (Okinawan Weapons) are also practiced, including the bo, nunchaku, sai, kama and tonfa.
The primary foundational techniques are strikes, punches, blocks and kicks. Secondary techniques are throws, escapes, joint locks, chokes, grappling, ground fighting. Methods of application of techniques are kata (forms), waza (technique), and kumite (sparring).
Chuck Liddell, a UFC champion, started his training at the age of 12 in Koei-Kan Karate-do.
[edit] References
- Frost, Brian. Koei-Kan Karate-Do: Practice and Precept, North Atlantic Books, 1998. ISBN 1-883319-64-1
- Corcoran, John. "The Original Martial Arts Encyclopedia: Tradition, History, and Pioneers", Los Angeles, CA : Pro-Action Pub., ©1993. ISBN 0-9615126-3-6
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