Traditional Karate > Kata > Seiuchin

Seiuchin Kata was named for the great master, Seiuchin. Seiuchin means "lull in the storm" or "storm within a calm". Master Seiuchin lived in the 15th or 16th century and excelled in Southern Chinese Boxing. Legends tell stories of Master Seiuchin being so powerful with gouges that he could drive his fingers through a cow's side and pull strips of meat from the inside. There is also a story about his pulling out a man's heart.

The Seiuchin Kata is known for the wide stances and for reinforced punches and blocks. The Kata is also used as strong emphasis on internal power and is sometimes used as a tension Kata, which is wrong according to a letter from Master Robert A. Trias, an authority of Okinawa Karate Masters Council (letter dated 7-28-82). The only Katas with loud tension type breathing are Tensho and Sanchin.

The Kata was supposedly brought to Okinawa by Kanryo Higashionna. He had gone to China to study Chung Fu (Kung Fu) under Master Woo-Lin-Chin. He had studied in China between five and thirty-five years. Returning home, he developed NaHa-Te (Shorei-Ryu). His top student was Chojun Miyagi. Master Miyagi also studied in China. Together they developed Goju-Ryu Karate. Master Shimabuku learned the Kata directly from Master Chojun Miyagi.