IKKU Group Photo after the Juroku Kata Clinic on October 8, 2016
Juroku (十六) Kata
Following the 2016 IKKU Annual Black Belt Test on Saturday October 8, 2016 was the 2016 IKKU Juroku Kata Clinic led by Soke Joseph Ruiz. The event was held in Duluth, GA and hosted by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, Chief Instructor of Keishin Karate Kai. There was a solid turnout with approximately 28 attendees for the event. Participants gathered from across the Eastern U.S., including attendees from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maine. The IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union was represented with participants from 7 affiliated Dojos. Since the immediate area around the dojo was experiencing power failures the clinic was relocated from inside the school to outside on the football field. The temperatures were mild, the sunshine was bright and it made for a great afternoon session of Karate.
Soke Ruiz teaching Juroku Bunkai. Shown here delivering a Taisho Strike to Hanshi Downton’s jaw.
Soke Ruiz taught Juroku Kata and Bunkai during the afternoon session from 1pm to 5pm. Juroku literally translates to Sixteen (16). After some research it appears this kata was developed in the year of Showa 16, so hence the name in Japanese. Soke taught that this kata was developed by Kenwa Mabuni, who is the first Sensei to name his style of Karate, Shito-Ryu after his instructors Higashionna and Itosu.
Juroku is a relatively short kata and is designed to utilize close in techniques against an attacker. So advice from Soke in executing Juroku Kata Bunkai is to keep proper stances for effective power delivery. As well the Tori should always be closing the distance against the Uke leaving them little or no ability to counterstrike. As soon as a parry or block is delivered the Tori should flow immediately into his or her bunkai rhythm simply following the moves of the kata. Soke spent time showing effective Karate bunkai techniques as well as how to implement Katsu-Ryu Kempo techniques into the bunkai.
Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2016 IKKU Christmas Clinic and Celebration scheduled on December 3, 2016 hosted by Kyoshi Kim Blue at Suansu Karate Kai in Dexter, GA.
For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year to allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.
For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.