Meikyo is a kata based on one of Yasutsune Itosu's versions of Rohai (Vision of a Heron). Meikyo is most often translated as "Bright Mirror" or "Polished Mirror," perhaps alluding to the beginning of the kata, when the hands are held up in front of one's face as if looking into a mirror. The kata also contains several duplicate, or "mirroring techniques," for example: the opposing directions of the two sets of gedan-barai and oi-zuki; the pair of bo-uke & bo-dori combinations; and the double ura-zuki, which is an example of two identical techniques performed at the same time (in essence, mirroring each other). Meikyo is considered to be a highly advanced kata yet, for the most part, does not involve any effortful techniques. It has 33 counts and matches Wankan for having only one kiai (#32) instead of the normal two (although some karateka have been known to kiai on move #24 as well). Most of the kata's movements consist of beginner and intermediate level techniques. The advanced sankaku-tobi, or "triangle jump," is the kata's trademark and is said to impart spectacular powers to those who understand its true meaning. However, as jumps go in Shotokan, sankaku-tobi is arguably the easiest (not easy) jump to perform. The only other potentially difficult techniques include the odd angle of entry when executing the bo-uke, followed by the twisting of the hips for bo-dori-sonomama.
Being a more simple and humble kata, Meikyo is not a very popular tournament kata. The true goal of Meikyo lies in the correction of one's most basic techniques to the point of perfection, allowing for a smooth and effortless kata. Often, Meikyo is favored by seasoned veterans of karate since it is not overly strenuous yet it still possesses enough advanced techniques to challenge older and higher level karateka. Meikyo is a kata of self-reflection and introspection, sometimes even being interpreted as meaning "Mirror to the Soul." As karateka mature, they must continually reflect on their technique, searching inward for change and improvement. Looking outward or to others is for beginners. Having little flair, Meikyo is a kata for those who feel no need to prove themselves. It is not a kata to impress; it is about the self, not others.
Meikyo
Bright Mirror
Meikyo
Bright Mirror
Embusen of kata
the kata in practice
kata in practice
In position musubi-dachi.
Advertise the kata " Meikyo ".
Yoi: In position hachiji-dachi . The fists are in front of the hips.
1. Ryo goshi-kamae :
( 1A ) Shift the right foot to the right by extending the arms to the flanks and opening the hands.
( 1B ) Send the hands along 2 ascending circular paths while lowering the pelvis.
( 1C ) Sit in the kiba-dachi position by lowering your arms outstretched in front of your chest, crossing your wrists (right above left).
( 1D ) Bring your elbows backwards against your sides while closing your fists, which you bring up over the hips, in a ryo goshi-kamae posture .
2. Joshin-kamae :
( 2A ) Still in kiba-dachi position, open your hands and bring them closer to your abdomen.
( 2B ) Raise your hands by clasping the ears, palms of the hands facing the face.
( 2C ) Move the elbows apart and lower them slightly by swiveling their hands inwards. You are in posture joshin-kamae = "posture that cleans the mind".
3. Hidari gedan-barai : Bring the left foot slightly to the right foot, then advance it 45 ° to the left to find yourself in the zenkutsu-dachi position, while you perform a left descending block ( gedan-barai ) .
4. Migi chudan oï-zuki : Advance the right foot into the zenkutsu-dachi position, while wearing a middle right elongated right fist ( oï-zuki ).
5. Migi gedan-barai : By pressing on the left foot, slide the right foot to the right, rotate the body 90 ° in the same direction to find yourself in the zenkutsu-dachi position ,while you execute a right descending block ( gedan-barai ).
6. Hidari chudan oï-zuki : Advance the left foot in zenkutsu-dachi position , while wearing a left elongated middle left ( oï-zuki ).
7. Morote jo-uke :
( 7A ) Slide the right foot towards the left foot, turn the head 45 degrees to the left and arm your hands backwards, right side, opening them, palms down.
( 7B ) Slide the right foot forward, in front of the left foot, lowering the right hand in a spoon in front of you and raising the left elbow.
( 7C ) Sit in the kokutsu-dachi position, raise the right hand at the waist, and the left hand at the forehead, to block an attack on the jo (stick) ( morote jo-uke ).
8. Jo-zukami : While pushing on the left foot, advance the pelvis and move the center of gravity towards the right leg by sending the 2 fists down in front of you to make a seizure of stick ( jo-zukami ). The right fist is facing forward, upside down, and the inside of the left fist rests against the abdomen, backhanded to the ground.
9. Push on the right foot and bring the pelvis backwards by turning it to the left to turn around without changing the position of the feet. The arms do not move, only the fists make an internal rotation on themselves.
10. Ryo goshi-kamae :
( 10A ) Move forward and then shift right foot to the right, extending arms to flanks and opening hands.
( 10B ) Send the hands along 2 ascending circular paths while lowering the pelvis.
( 10C ) Sit in the kiba-dachi position, lowering the outstretched arms in front of your chest, crossing your wrists (right over the left).
( 10D ) Bring your elbows backwards against the sides while closing your fists, which you bring above the hips, in the position of ryo goshi-kamae.
11. Hidari chudan uchi-ude-uke : Bring the right foot slightly to the left foot, before moving it 45 ° to the left to find yourself in the zenkutsu-dachi position, while you execute a left-inside block middle level ( uchi-ude-uke ).
12. Migi chudan oï-zuki : Advance the right foot into the zenkutsu-dachi position , while wearing a middle right elongated right punch ( oï-zuki ).
13. Migi chudan uchi-ude-uke : While pressing on the left foot, slide the right foot to the right, rotate the body at 45 ° in the same direction to find yourself in position zenkutsu-dachi, while you execute a blocking inside-outside right middle level ( uchi-ude-uke ).
14. Hidari chudan oï-zuki : Advance the left foot in zenkutsu-dachi position, while wearing a middle left elongated forehand ( oï-zuki ).
15. Morote jo-uke :
( 15A ) Slide the right foot towards the left foot, turn the head 45 degrees to the left and arm your hands backwards, right side, opening them, palms down.
( 15B ) Slide the right foot forward, in front of the left foot, lowering the right hand in a spoon in front of you and raising the left elbow.
( 15C ) Sit in the kokutsu-dachi position, raise your right hand at the waist, and your left hand at the forehead, to block an attack on the jo (stick) ( morote jo-uke ).
16. Jo-zukami : While pushing on the left foot, advance the pelvis and move the center of gravity towards the right leg by sending the 2 fists down in front of you to make a seizure of stick ( jo-zukami ). The right fist is facing forward, upside down, and the inside of the left fist rests against the abdomen, backhanded to the ground.
17. Push on the right foot and turn the pelvis backward by swiveling it to the left to turn around without changing the position of the feet. The arms do not move, only the fists make an internal rotation on themselves.
18. Ryo goshi-kamae :
( 18A ) Move forward and then shift right foot to right, extending arms to flanks and opening hands.
( 18B ) Send the hands along 2 ascending circular paths while lowering the pelvis.
( 18C ) Sit in the kiba-dachi position, lowering the outstretched arms in front of your chest, crossing your wrists (right above left).
( 18D ) Bring your elbows backwards against the sides while closing your fists, which you bring above the hips, in the position of ryo goshi-kamae.
19. Hidari jodan age-uke : Move your left foot 45 degrees to the left to move to the zenkutsu-dachi position. Simultaneously, execute a high-level left-up block ( jodan age-uke ).
20. Migi Chudan Oï-Zuki : Advance the right foot into the zenkutsu-dachi position , while wearing a middle right elongated right fist ( oï-zuki ).
21. Migi jodan age-uke : While pressing on the left foot, slide the right foot towards this one and turn the pelvis 90 ° to the right to find yourself in position zenkutsu-dachi, while you execute a right ascending blocking high level ( jodan age-uke ).
22. Hidari chudan oï-zuki : Advance the left foot in zenkutsu-dachi position , while wearing a left elongated forehead left ( oï-zuki ).
23. Hidari chudan tettsui-uchi : Move the left foot 45 ° to the left and align it on the right foot. Sit in the kiba-dachi position , while wearing a medium-level left hammer punch (tettsui-uchi ).
24. Mikazuki-geri : Without moving the right fist in hikeness, launch the right foot following a circular path upward in front of you, so as to perform a crescent moon kick against the left palm ( mikazuki-geri ).
KIAÏ !!!
25. Ryowan gedan kakiwake-uke :
( 25A ) Bring the right foot up to the left knee and arm the left fist over the right shoulder, extending the right arm to the left in front of you.
( 25B ) Rest the right foot behind you in the kokutsu-dachi position, while sending the 2 fists on the sides to perform a double descending separator block ( kakiwake-uke ).
26. Morote haiwan-uke :
( 26A ) With a swept movement, send fists backwards to give impetus to the powerful blockage to come.
( 26B ) In a dry, flicked motion, perform an inner-outer blockage of the high-level left-armcuff ( haiwan-uke ) and reinforce this parry by raising the right arm synchronously in front of your forehead.
27. Morote haiwan-uke :
( 27A ) Advance the right foot and send the fists backwards, beyond your side, so as to sweep the space in front of you.
( 27B ) Sit in the kokutsu-dach i position and perform an inside-out blocking of the high-level right arm cuff ( haiwan-uke ) and reinforce this parry by raising the left arm synchronously in front of your forehead.
28. Jodan juji-uke / Ryowan gedan kakiwake-uke :
( 28A ) Move your left foot, cross the forearms at the wrists for a double high-level cross-lock ( juji-uke )
( 28B ) Settle in zenkutsu-dachi position, while sending the 2 fists on the sides to execute a double descending separator block ( kakiwake-uke ).
29. Ryowan uchi-ude-uke : Advance right foot and cross arms in front of chest, left arm up. Settle in kokutsu-dachi position , performing a double inside-outside block ( ryowan uchi-ude-uke ).
30. Morote kizami ura-zuki :
( 30A ) Push on the left foot and slide the right foot slightly forward, always in the kokutsu-dachi position , carrying a double downward close-up punch ( kizami ura-zuki ).
( 30B ) At once the blow, lower your elbows.
31. Hidari jodan age-uke : Turn your head to the left to look behind you, rotate the pelvis 180 degrees in the same direction, move the center of gravity to the right leg to reverse your kokutsu-dachi position. Simultaneously, execute a high-level left-up block ( jodan age-uke ).
32. Sankaku-tobi / Empi-uchi : Launch the right knee forwards and take a leap upwards by leaning on the left leg. Rotate to the left to make a triangle jump ( sankaku-tobi ). At the same time, put a right elbow against your left palm ( empi-uchi ).
KIAÏ !!!
33. Migi jodan shuto-uke : Complete your 180 ° rotation to the left and return to the kokutsu-dachi position. In doing so, perform a high-level right hand shut-off ( shuto-uke ).
34. Hidari jodan shuto-uke : Move the right foot back to the kokutsu-dachi position while performing a high-level left-hand shutter lock ( shuto-uke ).
Yame : Retreat the left foot before shifting it to the left to align with the right foot in the heisoku-dachi position . Bring your fists to the hips.
