MEIKYO
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.
#
|
Technique
|
Translation
|
Stance
|
Target
|
Notes
|
1
|
ryoken-ryokoshi-kamae
|
both fists on both hips posture
|
kiba-dachi
|
--
|
slow speed
|
2
|
ryosho-kakiwake-uke
|
both palms wedge block
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
slow speed
|
3
|
gedan-barai
|
down block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
4
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
5
|
gedan-barai
|
down block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
6
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
7
|
ryosho-bo-uke
|
both palms stick block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
8
|
bo-oshikomi
|
stick push-thrust
|
fudo-dachi
|
--
|
yori-ashi
|
9
|
bo-oshikomi-sonomama
|
stick thrust as is
|
hizakutsu
(ashi-zenkutsu)
|
--
|
|
10
|
ryoken-ryokoshi-kamae
|
both fists on both hips posture
|
kiba-dachi
|
--
|
slow speed
|
11
|
gedan-barai
|
down block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
12
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
13
|
gedan-barai
|
down block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
|
14
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
15
|
ryosho-bo-uke
|
both palms stick block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
slow speed
|
16
|
bo-oshikomi
|
stick push-thrust
|
fudo-dachi
|
--
|
yori-ashi
|
17
|
bo-oshikomi-sonomama
|
stick thrust as is
|
hizakutsu
(ashi-zenkutsu)
|
--
|
|
18
|
ryoken-ryokoshi-kamae
|
both fists on both hips posture
|
kiba-dachi
|
--
|
slow speed
|
19
|
uchi-uke
|
inside block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
20
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
21
|
uchi-uke
|
inside block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
22
|
oi-zuki
|
lunge punch
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
23
|
kentsui-uchi-mawashi-uchi
|
inside hammer-fist strike
|
kiba-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
24
|
mikazuki-geri
|
crescent kick
|
ashi-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
25
|
ryoken-kakiwake-uke
|
both fists wedge block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
slow speed
|
26
|
haiwan-uke /
zenwan-hitae-kamae
|
back of arm block /
forearm forehead posture
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
jodan
|
|
27
|
haiwan-uke /
zenwan-hitae-kamae
|
back of arm block /
forearm forehead posture
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
jodan
|
|
28
|
ryoken-kakiwake-uke
|
both fists wedge block
|
zenkutsu-dachi
|
gedan
|
slow speed
|
29
|
ryoken-kakiwake-uke
|
both fists wedge block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
|
30
|
ryoken-ura-zuki
|
both fists inverted punch
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
yori-ashi
|
31
|
age-uke
|
rising block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
jodan
|
yori-ashi variation
|
32*
|
sankaku-tobi / hiji-uchi &
shuto-uke
|
triangle jump / elbow strike &
knife-hand block
|
--
kokutsu-dachi
|
--
chudan
|
|
33
|
shuto-uke
|
knife-hand block
|
kokutsu-dachi
|
chudan
|
