just stumbled across this, not sure again of it's relevance but an interesting kata for sure.
Of all the Hakutsuru kata (which seem an amalgam of Kume village and Gokenki variations with some silly moves added) this is the only one I would consider studying. I agree with Victor that the ni pai po clip has a lot of 'dead' movement. This hakutsuru seems highly functional - even the 'crane' stance (for a change)...
I see lots of Nijushiho, some chinto, kusanku, what looks like mock kungfu (eagle claw maybe) and some distinctly Goju ryu movements.
Despite this it is an interesting and appealing form, much more so than any of the other supposed crane forms I've seen. Though I think if you know any two of the ones I mentioned above there's not a lot to learn in this, but I could be way off base.
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It's Shotokan not Shoto-can't!!!
Now if you've taken the time to watch all of the crane kata, where do you find a common link? If all of them are Okinawan, were there Okinawan crane stylist hiding behind every bush and tree?
Gives one pause?
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victor smith
bushi no te isshinryu
offering free instruction for 30 years
Taking the "Okinawan" forms which are actually different from one another and putting them together would certainly make an interesting system to train in.
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It's Shotokan not Shoto-can't!!!
As a Matsumura Seito then Kenshin Kan then Matsumura Kenpo guy who's had the opportunity to train with Tony Sandoval and Chuck Chandler on a seminar basis only -this is my opinion. I have also had the priviledge to train with Ron Lindsey on a seminar basis. I respect and admire all three men greatly for their martial arts ability. All three gave me the opportunity to understand things much better with their ability to explain it to me in English since so many times I have found myself try to understand an explanation in broken English and since I have no ability to speak Japanese or Hogen. I thank all three for their efforts in bringing that greater understanding to me. As far as the Crane kata goes...it has been for sometime the Holy Grail that many have sought. I remember when Kise Sensei performed the Crane kata for my instructor back in the 80's on video. He had to promise not to reproduce it and only a few were even allowed to view it (he unlike others kept his word). As time passed different trends have struck karate-Kyusho, then the Crane kata. With all kinds of people jumping on the bandwagon teaching this Crane kata and that Crane Kata. Knowing or thinking you know the kata is great. But if you don't understand it, if you don't know the bunkai then it's all just a pretty dance-regardless of the kata you are doing. I don't know the kata, I don't know the bunkai other than that which was shown to me. After 30 + years I can perform 20+ kata. I can do 10 of them. I understand 3 of them -maybe-others might disagree. Each year is a struggle to retain what I know, deepen my understanding and to make the kata mine. It is said that Soken Sensei said if you know the Naifanchi kata that is all the kata you need to know. I'm still working on it. To those of you who choose to chase the Crane good luck, it's an elusive bird.
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