In the Wado kata seishan, after the slow, under tension segment of the kata, we block and punch to each side and then to the front.
We then punch to the nose, simultaneously bringing up our knee before striking uraken (back fist) behind us in shikadachi (sumo stance).
My question is: When we raise our knee as we punch, should our toes be pointing down or should our foot be square and why?

I have seen it done both ways and everyone I ask has no explaination as to why they think they are right. (perhaps the foot shape is irrelevant?)

Anyway, I would be glad to have some opinions, even if nobody actually knows the answer (I don't know how may of you have a background in Wado).

Thanks in advance
Sharon

It being wado I would say it doesn't really matter, I think it should be relaxed, so if you have to force it to be strait or bended, then it is wrong
If no-one can tell why it has to be the one or the other, saying that it has to be done in this or that way is stupid to begin with
Wado isn't a style for blind followers [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif[/IMG]
This evening I will look in the book by Ohtsuka and the Tsunami video where he performs this kata( hope that part isn't missing since not all kata were complete in the old footage)

Hello all,

Well, I don't do Wado, but if it is anything like the Seisan we do in my system, then you would like to keep the foot flat.

1) if toes are pointed down it relaxes the calf mucles a little. If it is flat the calf mucles have a little tension on them.
This helps in balance and helps in the kick.

2) One idea it is for trapping with the foot. If the toes are pointed down, then you can't use the foot for this purpose.

Regards,

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wadowoman:
In the Wado kata seishan, after the slow, under tension segment of the kata, we block and punch to each side and then to the front.
We then punch to the nose, simultaneously bringing up our knee before striking uraken (back fist) behind us in shikadachi (sumo stance).
My question is: When we raise our knee as we punch, should our toes be pointing down or should our foot be square and why?

I have seen it done both ways and everyone I ask has no explaination as to why they think they are right. (perhaps the foot shape is irrelevant?)

Anyway, I would be glad to have some opinions, even if nobody actually knows the answer (I don't know how may of you have a background in Wado).

Thanks in advance
Sharon[/QUOTE]
Well I dont know anything about wado,But in the isshinryu system we sweep the floor with our foot,& Come up with the toes down,& Giving the knee kick more power. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

Thanks for your input guys.
I have always performed this move with the toes down, but as I said, I have seen it performed both ways and everyone I have asked have no idea why it should be one way or the other.
I was taught that the knee is brought up to avoid a leg sweep as you punch your opponent.
Most people I have asked about this do not know the bunkai to what they are doing. (A few even asked what's bunkai?!!)
I will stick with the way I have always done it for now.
Thanks again for your input.
Sharon

Foot is almost parallel to the floor in the Ohtsuka/Ajaru Video and also in the book it is
I quote "Avoid an enemy's kick from the rear and pull the left leg back while preparing to do a front kick to the enemy in front" so the position of the foot is the same as when doing a fontkick

quote from Wado ryu Karate by Hironori Otsuka isbn 0-920129-18-8 (numbered edition)

I can capture the footage of Ohtsuka doing Seishan and put it online if people are interested

[This message has been edited by Toudiyama (edited 05-03-2003).]

Yes please, I would be very interested to see it, thanks very much.
Sharon

Ok look in 24 hours on www.toudiyama.nl there's nothing else there but a couple of links to some video clips
Right now I'm transcoding but have to go right now, If I manage it sooner I will post it here

Thank you.

I look forward to veiwing the clip.
Sharon [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

3 minutes after I post this the clip will be online