Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu-Koeppel Ha Standards

Stances:

Haiichi dachi – Focus stance
Fudo dachi – Immovable stance
Shizentai dachi – Natural stance
Naihanchi dachi – Iron horse stance
Renoji dachi – Defensive stance
Jigo tai dachi – Horse stance
Heisoku dachi – Attention stance
Neko ashi dachi – Cat stance
Kosa dachi – Cross over stance
Kaki dachi – Hook stance

Blocks:

Shuto uke – Knife hand block
Jodan uke – High or up block
Gedan uke – Low block
Chudan uke – Middle block
Mae ude uke – Forearm block
Osoto uke – Outside to middle block

Strikes:

Seiken tsuki – Forefist strike
Tettsui uchi – Hammer fist strike
Tate tsuki – Vertical fist strike
Shuto uchi – Knife hand strike

Kicks:

Mae geri – Front kick
Mae washi geri – Roundhouse kick

Kata:

Introduction to Pinan Nidan
Prompted performance of Pinan Nidan
Introduction to Pinan Shodan

Waza:

Gokui waza #1
Gokui waza #2
Gokui waza #3
Gokui waza #4
20 push-ups
25 crunches

Sensei Lineage and Basic Karate History

Koeppel-Ha principle #1:

Karate begins with the feet.

Distance
Direction
Displacement

Blocks:

Shotei uke – Palm heel block
Haishu uke – Back hand block

Strikes:

Maewashi uchi – Hook punch
Utski tsuki – Inverted punch

Waza:

Gokui waza #5
Gokui waza #6

Kata:

Solo performance of Pinan Nidan
Solo performance of Pinan Shodan
Introduction of Naihanchi Shodan

The student will demonstrate proficiency in the basic drills worked in the dojo. He will
also demonstrate basic bunkai for Pinan Nidan.

Regular attendance is necessary to achieve proficiency within the prescribed time frame.

Koeppel Ha principle #2:

Body attitude/carriage

a) Centered
b) Weight to the underside
c) Knees remain flexed
d) Elbows down
e) Back straight

Top

Stances:

Neiko ashi dachi – Cat stance
Kosa dachi – Cross over stance

Blocks:

General improvement in usage of blocks and correct form should be demonstrated at
this time.

Strikes:

Age tsuki – Rising punch or strike
Uraken uchi – Back knuckle strike
Mae uraken uchi – Forward back knuckle strike

Kicks:

General improvement in usage of kicks and correct form should be demonstrated at this
time.

Kata:

Introduction to Pinan sandan
Solo performance of Pinan sandan
Introduction to Pinan yondan
Solo performance of Pinan yondan
Solo performance of Naihanchi shodan

Waza:

Gokui waza #5
Gokui waza #6
Gokui waza #7
Gokui waza #8

General vocabulary:

See attached vocabulary sheet. Tested.

The journey from 6th kyu to 5th kyu can be significant, for it is here that the karate-ka is
moving from beginner to intermediate level. Total practice time in the dojo will be from
one year to eighteen months. He/she should demonstrate the basics with a level of
precision that no longer requires constant scrutiny and correction. The student should
have a working knowledge of the dojo vocabulary and a appreciation for his lineage and history of the dojo.

Koeppel Ha principle #3:

Technique
Knowledge
Physical Ability

A black belt is a white belt that never quit.

General understanding and application of all stances, blocks, strikes and kicks should be demonstrated at this time. He/she should demonstrate the basics with a level of precision that no longer requires constant scrutiny and correction.

Waza:

Gokui waza #9
Gokui waza #10

Kata:

Introduction to:
Naihanchi nidan
Bunkai, both verbal and with uke
Pinan godan

KOEPPEL HANSHI’S EMBLEM

The emblem below is called the Double-Bladed Axe. It is the personal insignia of
Phillip W. Koeppel, Hanshi.

The color white stands for purity. The color black stands for strength. The eight sides of the octagon represent the “eight-fold path”.

These eight precepts encircle the Axe itself which has four sides representing the “Four
Noble Truths”.
1. There are sufferings in life.
2. Sufferings are caused by ignorance.
3. Suffering ceases when one overcomes ignorance. When a person reaches this
condition, he is said to become enlightened.
4. The way or path to overcome the causes of ignorance is the “Eight-fold Path”.

In the Hutchcroft dojo, adults wear a white belt from 8th kyu through 4th kyu. This is an old tradition that many have copied from our dojo. The students kyu grade is hand written by Sensei on your obi (belt) as you earn it. Some commercial schools have many kyu levels and a multitude of belt colors so that the student can be constantly and consistently rewarded for each small goal obtained. Usually, testing fees are assessed. Hutchcroft dojo is not a commercial dojo.

Upon earning the grade of san kyu (3rd kyu) the first of three levels of brown belt, the student shall wear a brown belt. The person training for brown belt is training for the point of no return. He/she has spent years coming to this point and realizes that it would be senseless to throw those years away.

Waza:

Gokui waza #11
Gokui waza #12
Gokui waza #13

Kata:

Prompted and Solo performance of Pinan godan
Prompted performance of Naihanchi nidan
Prompted performance of bunkai, both verbal and with uke

Solo performance of Naihanchi nidan
Solo bunkai performance, both verbal and with uke

Introduction of Passai sho

The karate-ka shall demonstrate and verbalize the Principles of Matsumura Seito Shorin ryu Koeppel-Ha.

Koeppel Ha principle #4:

Self Observation
a) Visualization
b) Self remembering
c) Meditation
d) Repetition (time) (age) (breath)
e) Itten (one point)
f) Principles, external feedback

The period from san kyu to shodan depends on the student, as always. This time frame may extend from two to four or more years. It is my goal as a Sensei, to provide the training atmosphere so that the motivated karate-ka can attain the goal of shodan after two years training as a brown belt. Brown belts are expected to be active in the dojo, teach lower ranked kyus when asked, and demonstrate skills and knowledge leading up to the shodan (first degree black belt) test.

Waza:

Gokui waza #14, #15, #16 Nikyu
Gokui waza #17, #18, # 19, #20 Ikkyu
Gokui waza #21, 22, 23, 24 & 25 Shodan

Kata:

The katas Naihanchi sandan, Matsumura No Passai, Seisan, Niseidi sho and Chinto
will be introduced and practiced extensively during the student’s years as a brown belt.

Nikyu (at least 5 months at San kyu)

Solo performance of Matsumura No Passai
Solo performance of Niseidisho

Ikkyu (at least 5 months at Nikyu)

Solo performance of Naihanchi sandan
Solo performance of Seisan

Thesis

The student is required to write a thesis on their experiences and insights in the practice
of karate to this point and prepare 6 copies in folders presentable for submission prior to their test for shodan. The student will be formally taught the movements to Wansu, Tensho and Sanchin

Koeppel Ha principle #5:

Transformation wisdom/True Understanding/
Enlightenment

Koeppel Ha principle #6:

Principle of Kosa dachi: Heel of moving foot positioned to the toes of the stationary foot

Kata:

Kusanku
Rohai

Waza:

Gokui waza #26 through #35

Required reading:

Okinawan Karate, Teachers, Styles and Techniques, by Mark Bishop.

KI, A Road that Anyone Can Walk, by William Reed.

Motobu/Hutchcroft principle:

Protect to the Center. Strike to the Center

Top

Kata:

Bobalein (Happoren)
Kakuho
Ryu sho ken

Time requirements for the dan grades will be determined by Hutchcroft Sensei

Koeppel Ha principle #7:

Sensory perception, Insight, Intuitive Thinking, Clarity of
Thought

Koeppel Ha principle #8:

Karate is nothing more than a discipline of self struggle.