It is said that Sokon Matsumura learned this kata during one of his journeys to China. Like many Shotokan kata, Hangetsu can be found in other styles of karate as well, and with several variations.
The JKA version has 41 counts. Other styles of karate tend to use the kata's original name of Seisan(or Seishan), which means "13". Some say the number 13 refers to the original number of steps of the kata, others believe it refers to the number of different techniques found in the kata.
Gichin Funakoshi changed the kata's name to Hangetsu, meaning "Half-Moon," describing the semi-circular movements of the hands and feet during the kata's beginning sequence. Although many kata have these same circular movements (i.e. step in zenkutsu-dachi), the half-moon sliding motions of the feet tend to be a little larger and more pronounced when performing hangetsu stance. The half-moon shape is also seen at the end of the kata, with the leg and hand movements during the uraken-uchi, and of course, with the mikazuki-geri.
Hangetsu is a very unique kata within the Shotokan system. It is an internal kata, focusing on the cultivation and release of ki energy, or one's inner force.
The kata's main stance, hangetsu, is an inner tension stance that only appears in this kata and nowhere else (hence the name of the stance). As such, it tends to be a very under-developed stance that is rarely practiced.
Most of the kata's slow moves are executed with atypical tension and isometric contraction. Emphasis is on strong breathing and muscular contraction of the legs, buttocks, and abdominals. Some instructors teach the slow moves with ibuki breathing (hard, forceful breathing accompanied by throat contraction). However, this is not the norm for Shotokan schools and is much more common in styles like Goju-ryu.
Quite simply, Hangetsu is meditation in motion, with the aim of developing one's ki.
Bunkai involve close range fighting in which the hangetsu stance is used to move in between an opponent's legs (or around them) to break their balance.
Hangetsu
Half -moon
Hangetsu
Half -moon
Embusen of kata
the kata in practice
In position musubi-dachi.
Announce the kata " Hangetsu ".
Yoi : In position hachiji-dachi , fists closed in front of the body, at the level of hips.
1. Hidari chudan uchi-ude-uke : Bring the left foot to the right foot by arming the right fist with the left shoulder and the left fist with the right hip. Advance the left foot 45 ° to the left in the hangetsu-dachi position while sending the left fist in front of you to execute a mid-level left-to-outside block ( uchi-ude-uke ), the right fist coming in hikit.
2. Migi chudan gyaku-zuki : On the spot, always in the hangetsu-dachi position,throw the right fist in such a way as to carry a right-hand inverted right punch ( gyaku-zuki ).
3. Migi chudan uchi-ude-uke : Move your right foot towards the left foot by arming the left fist with the right shoulder and the right fist with the left hip. Advance the right foot 45 ° to the right in the hangetsu-dachi position , while sending the right fist in front of you to execute a mid-level right inner-outer block ( uchi-ude-uke ), the left fist coming into hiketae.
4. Hidari chudan gyaku-zuki : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position , throw the left fist in such a way as to carry a left inverted left fist ( gyaku-zuki ).
5. Hidari chudan uchi-ude-uke : Advance the left foot towards the right foot by arming the right fist with the left shoulder and the left fist with the right hip. Advance the left foot 45 ° to the left in the hangetsu-dachi position, while sending the left fist in front of you to execute a mid-level left-to-outside block ( uchi-ude-uke ), the right fist coming in hiketae.
6. Migi chudan gyaku-zuki : On the spot, always in the hangetsu-dachi position , throw the right fist in order to carry a right inverted right hand ( gyaku-zuki ) punch .
7. Still in the hangetsu-dachi position, bring the 2 fists facing each other in front of the chest, then slowly, stretch your elbows on your sides, bringing your fists closer to your chest, arms parallel to the ground, throw your right fist. in order to wear a right hand inverted right punch. This movement is all about inspiration.
8. Heiko ippon-ken / Kaishu yama-kamae :
( 8A ) On the spot, always in hangetsu-dachi position, send the right knuckles in front of you at shoulder height. ( Heiko ippon-ken ).
( 8B ) Open your hands by slightly turning your wrists so that the back of the hand is facing outwards. Simultaneously, bring the arms closer to each other, cross them at the wrists, right arm above.
( 8C ) Raise your arms and send both elbows to the sides, lowering your shoulders, to find yourself in the mountain posture, open hands ( kaishu yama-kamae ).
9. Kaishu ryowan-kamae : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position, raise your elbows and extend your arms upwards. Gather your arms and cross them over your head before lowering them in front of you until they are on each side of your body, arms extended and your hands open ( kaishu ryowan-kamae ).
10. Kaishu Migi chudan uchi-ude-uke / Kaishu Hidari gedan-barai : Advance the right foot, rotate the pelvis 180 ° to the left to find yourself in the hangetsu-dachi position , in the opposite direction. At the same time, perform a double cross-lock with open hands: left down block ( gedan-barai ) and right inside-outside right lock ( uchi-ude-uke ).
KIAI !!!
11. Migi kake-dori : Still in hangetsu-dachi position , without changing the position of the left arm, turn the right hand on itself in a counter-clockwise direction. Finish rotating your hand to make a crooked ( kake-dori ) entry.
12. Kaishu Hidari chudan uchi-ude-uke / Kaishu Migi gedan-barai : Advance the right foot, in hangetsu-dachi position . At the same time, perform a double crossover with open hands: right descending block ( gedan-barai ) and mid-level left-outside block ( uchi-ude-uke).
13. Hidari kake-dori : Still in hangetsu-dachi position, without changing the position of the right arm, rotate the left hand on itself in a clockwise direction. Finish rotating your hand to make a crooked ( kake-dori ) entry.
14. Kaishu Migi chudan uchi-ude-uke / Kaishu Hidari gedan-barai : Advance left foot, in hangetsu-dachi position . At the same time, perform a double cross-lock with open hands: left down block ( gedan-barai ) and right inside-outside right lock ( uchi-ude-uke ).
15. Migi kake-dori : Still in hangetsu-dachi position , without changing the position of the left arm, turn the right hand on itself in a counter-clockwise direction. Finish rotating your hand to make a crooked ( kake-dori ) entry.
16. Migi chudan uchi-ude-uke : Bring the left foot slightly to the right foot, turn the pelvis 90 ° to the right, take a slipped step by pushing on the left foot to get to the hangetsu-dachi position, while sending the right fist in front of you to execute a mid-level right inner-outer block ( uchi-ude-uke ), the left fist coming into hikeness.
17. Hidari chudan gyaku-zuki / chudan-zuki Migi : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position , throw the left fist in such a way as to carry a left inverted left hand punch (gyaku-zuki ), followed by a blow right front frontal fist ( chudan-zuki ).
18. Hidari chudan uchi-ude-uke : Shift the left foot behind you, rotate 180 ° to the left, take a slipped step by pushing on the left foot to get hangetsu-dachi position in the opposite direction. At the same time, send the right fist in front of you to execute a mid-level right inner-outer block ( uchi-ude-uke ), the left fist coming in hikite.
19. Migi chudan gyaku-zuki / Hidari chudan-zuki : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position, throw the right fist in such a way as to carry a right-hand inverted right punch ( gyaku-zuki ), followed by a stroke frontal left fist medium level ( chudan-zuki ).
20. Migi chudan uchi-ude-uke : Bring the left foot slightly to the right foot, turn the pelvis 90 ° to the right, take a slipped step by pushing on the left foot to get to the hangetsu-dachi position, while sending the right fist in front of you to execute a mid-level right inner-outer block ( uchi-ude-uke ), the left fist coming into hikeness.
21. Hidari chudan gyaku-zuki / chudan-zuki Migi : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position , throw the left fist in such a way as to make a left inverted left hand punch (gyaku-zuki ), followed by a stroke right front frontal fist ( chudan-zuki ).
22. Hidari engetsu-kaeshi / Chudan uraken-uchi : Turn the head to the left, raise the left knee and sweep the space in front of you following a trajectory in an arc to the left (engetsu-kaeshi ). Simultaneously, raise the left elbow in front of the face, following a path parallel to that of the left foot. Lower your left foot to find yourself in the kokutsu-dachi position while administering a medium-level punch ( uraken-uchi ).
23. Chudan hidari mae-geri / Hazushi-te : Without changing the position of the upper body, bring the right foot crossed behind the left foot in kosa-dachi position . Then execute a left whipped frontal kick ( mae-geri ) while raising the left fist above the right shoulder as if to release from a seizure ( hazushi-te ).
24. Hidari gedan-barai : Rest your left foot in the hangetsu-dachi position, at the same time as you make a left descending block ( gedan-barai ).
25. Migi chudan gyaku-zuki : On the spot, still in hangetsu-dachi position, wear a right-hand inverted right hand punch ( gyaku-zuki ).
26. Hidari jodan age-uke : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position, execute a high-level left-up block ( jodan age-uke ).
27. Migi engetsu-kaeshi / Chudan uraken-uchi : Raise your right knee and sweep the space in front of you following a trajectory in a right -angled arc ( engetsu-kaeshi ).Simultaneously, raise the right elbow in front of the face, following a path parallel to that of the right foot. Lower your right foot to find yourself in the kokutsu-dachi position while administering a medium-level punch ( uraken-uchi ).
28. Chudan migi mae-geri / Hazushi-te : Without altering the position of the upper body, bring the left foot crossed behind the right foot into the kosa-dachi position. Then execute a right whipped frontal kick ( mae-geri ) while raising the fist must over the left shoulder as to release from a seizure ( hazushi-te ).
29. Migi gedan-barai : Rest the right foot in the hangetsu-dachi position, at the same time as you do a right downward block ( gedan-barai ).
30. Hidari chudan gyaku-zuki : On the spot, still in the hangetsu-dachi position, wear a left inverted left hand ( gyaku-zuki ).
31. Migi jodan age-uke : On the spot, always in hangetsu-dachi position, execute a right upward lock up ( jodan age-uke ).
32. Hidari engetsu-kaeshi / Chudan uraken-uchi : Raise the left knee and sweep the space in front of you following a trajectory in a circular arc facing left ( engetsu-kaeshi ).Simultaneously, raise the left elbow in front of the face, following a path parallel to that of the left foot. Lower your left foot to find yourself in the kokutsu-dachi position while administering a medium-level punch ( uraken-uchi ).
33. Migi mikazuki-geri : Launch the right foot in front of you to carry a crescent moon kick in the left palm ( mikazuki-geri ), the left fist remains in hikité.
KIAI !!!
34. Migi gedan gyaku-zuki : Rest the right foot behind you and slightly to the right, so that you find yourself in the zenkutsu-dachi position while carrying a reverse right -handed punch ( gyaku-zuki ).
35. Teisho awase gedan-barai : Center the body weight on the right leg and bring the left foot back to the right foot by peeling the left heel off the ground in the neko-ashi-dachi position . Send the heels with both hands down at an angle of 45 ° to the left, so as to double down the heels of the hand ( teisho awase gedan-barai ).
Yame : Retreat the left foot and shift it to the left in the hachiji-dachi position , fists closed in front of the body, at hip height.
