Monday, September 12, 2011 by C. Michial Jones
Following a recent discussion with Garry Leaver of the Gojukenkyukai regarding the nuances of Sanchin, I found my thoughts turning toward its counterpart: Tensho.
While the community often debates the “First” and “Second” versions of Sanchin, Tensho presents a different puzzle. Chojun Miyagi Sensei never formally identified a Tensho Dai Ichi or Dai Ni; he simply taught Tensho. Yet, if you survey the global Goju-Ryu landscape, you will find two distinctly different structures being taught across diverse organizations.
Categorizing the Versions
For the sake of clarity, let us categorize these two expressions as Version A and Version B.
Version A: The Direct Start
This version begins directly from the Yoi (ready) position. The practitioner performs Morote Chudan Uke, chambers the left hand, and immediately begins the Hiki-uke and the flowing “rolling hand” movements associated with the kata.
- Practiced by: IOGKF (Higaonna), Gojukai (Yamaguchi), Kimo Wall’s Kodokan, Kyokushinkai (Oyama), and Shito-Ryu (Mabuni).
Version B: The Sanchin-Step Start
This version begins with three forward steps in Sanchin-dachi, mimicking the opening of the Sanchin kata, before transitioning into the specific Tensho hand movements.
- Practiced by: Jundokan (Miyazato), Jundokan International (Chinen), Shoreikan (Toguchi), and Shodokan (Higa).
The Lineage Paradox
The most fascinating aspect of this divergence is how it contradicts expected lineage patterns. Usually, we expect a student to teach the version they learned from their master. However, the data shows several “surprises”:
- The IOGKF Anomaly: Morio Higaonna Sensei (IOGKF) was a senior student at the Jundokan. The Jundokan teaches Version B (the stepping version), yet the IOGKF teaches Version A.
- The Kodokan Shift: Kimo Wall’s lineage is rooted in the Shoreikan and Shodokan schools, both of which utilize Version B. Despite this, Kimo Wall’s students practice Version A.
Why the Difference?
Some might argue that Version B is simply a “Sanchin-Tensho” demonstration form, designed to show the relationship between the two “Heishugata” (closed-gate kata). But the split is too consistent across organizations to be a mere demonstration choice.
The divergence likely points to a period in the 1940s or early 1950s when Miyagi Sensei may have been experimenting with the delivery of the kata. It is possible that the “stepping” version was intended to reinforce the Sanchin foundation, while the “direct” version was intended to emphasize the Soft (Ju) element in isolation.
Alternatively, the shift may have occurred during the cross-pollination era, where certain masters chose to streamline the form for their respective associations. Regardless of which version a dojo practices, the core objective remains the same: the cultivation of Muchimi (heavy, sticky hands) and the mastery of internal breath.
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