JION

       Jion is believed to be named after the Jion-ji, a Buddhist temple in China. Since there are many Jion-ji temples in existence, it is uncertain which one the kata refers to. The actual translation of Jion means "Love and Goodness." Although the kata's creator is unknown, credit is usually given to Sokon Matsumura, who is presumed to have learned this kata during his travels to China. Jion is the simplest of the Sentei kata and is comprised mostly of pieces from Heian and Tekki kata. It has 47 counts and contains some of the most basic movements that Shotokan has to offer. Being a simple kata, there are no fancy moves to hide behind. If a student possesses poor basics, then the performance of Jion will be weak. For this reason, it is an excellent kata to judge one's overall technique. The idea when performing the kata is to be like a Buddha, with a strong yet humble spirit. The simplicity of its movements demonstrates one's humility, yet each technique should be performed with explosive power and unwavering stability. Instructors have been known to group Jion along with Jiin and Jitte, since each start with the same hand-over-fist salutation and have very similar movements.
#
Technique
Translation
Stance
Target
Notes
1
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
gedan

2
ryoken-kakiwake-uke

both fists wedge block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
3
mae-geri

front kick
ashi-dachi
chudan

4
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

5
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

6
tsuki

punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

7
ryoken-kakiwake-uke

both fists wedge block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
8
mae-geri

front kick
ashi-dachi
chudan

9
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

10
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

11
tsuki

punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

12
age-uke

rising block
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

13
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

14
age-uke

rising block
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

15
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

16
age-uke

rising block
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

17*
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

18
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke (manji-uke)
inside block /
down block (swirling block)
kokutsu-dachi
jodan
gedan

19
kagi-zuki

hook punch
kiba-dachi
chudan
yori-ashi
20
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke (manji-uke)
inside block /
down block (swirling block)
kokutsu-dachi
jodan
gedan

21
kagi-zuki

hook punch
kiba-dachi
chudan
yori-ashi
22
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

23
teisho-yoko-uke

sideways palm-heel block
kiba-dachi
chudan

24
teisho-yoko-uke

sideways palm-heel block
kiba-dachi
chudan

25
teisho-yoko-uke

sideways palm-heel block
kiba-dachi
chudan

26
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke (manji-uke)
inside block /
down block (swirling block)
kokutsu-dachi
jodan
gedan

27
morote-uke

double-hand block
heisoku-dachi
jodan

28
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke (manji-uke)
inside block /
down block (swirling block)
kokutsu-dachi
jodan
gedan

29
morote-uke

double-hand block
heisoku-dachi
jodan

30
ryoken-kakiwake-uke

both fists wedge block
heisoku-dachi
gedan
slow speed
31
ryoken-kosa-uke
(juji-uke)
both fists cross block
(X-block)
kosa-dachi
gedan

32
ryoken-kakiwake-uke

both fists wedge block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

33
ryoken-kakiwake-uke

both fists wedge block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

34
ryoken-kosa-uke
(juji-uke)
both fists cross block
(X-block)
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

35
tate-uraken-uchi

vertical back-fist strike
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

36
tsuki-uke /
haiwan-uchi-nagashi-uke
punch-block /
back-arm inside flowing block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
jodan

37
tate-uraken-uchi /
zenwan-mune-suhei-kamae
vertical back-fist strike /
forearm chest posture
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan
--
ura-zuki variation
38
uchi-uke

inside block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

39
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

40
uchi-uke

inside block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

41
oi-zuki

lunge punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

42
gedan-barai

down block
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

43
zenwan-uchi-otoshi /
fumikomi
forearm falling strike /
stomp kick
kiba-dachi
chudan

44
zenwan-uchi-otoshi /
fumikomi
forearm falling strike /
stomp kick
kiba-dachi
chudan

45
zenwan-uchi-otoshi /
fumikomi
forearm falling strike /
stomp kick
kiba-dachi
chudan

46
sokumen-zuki
(yumi-zuki)
punch to side
(bow punch)
kiba-dachi
chudan
yori-ashi
slow speed
47*
sokumen-zuki
(yumi-zuki)
punch to side
(bow punch)
kiba-dachi
chudan
yori-ashi
slow variation