HANGETSU

       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.















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Technique
Translation
Stance
Target
Notes
1
uchi-uke

inside block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
2
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
3
uchi-uke

inside block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
4
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
5
uchi-uke

inside block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
6
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
7
ryo-jishi-ippon-ken-kamae

both one-knuckle fists posture
hangetsu-dachi
--
slow speed
8
ryo-jishi-ippon-ken-morote-zuki
both one-knuckle fists double-hand punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
9
kaisho-yama-kamae

hands open mountain posture
hangetsu-dachi
jodan
slow speed
10
ryosho-kakiwake-kamae

both palms wedge posture
hangetsu-dachi
gedan
slow speed
11*
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
gedan

12
tsukami-uke
(koko-uke)
grasping block
(tiger-mouth block)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
13
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
gedan

14
tsukami-uke
(koko-uke)
grasping block
(tiger-mouth block)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
15
uchi-uke /
gedan-uke
inside block /
down block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
gedan

16
tsukami-uke
(koko-uke)
grasping block
(tiger-mouth block)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
slow speed
17
uchi-uke

inside block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

18
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

19
tsuki
(choku-zuki)
punch
(straight punch)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

20
uchi-uke

inside block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
yori-ashi
21
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

22
tsuki
(choku-zuki)
punch
(straight punch)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

23
uchi-uke

inside block
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
yori-ashi
24
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

25
tsuki
(choku-zuki)
punch
(straight punch)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

26
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi

vertical backfist strike
kokutsu-dachi
--
slow speed
27
jotai-sonomama

upper body as is
--
--
slow speed
kosa-ashi
28
mae-geri /
ken-kata-ue
front kick /
fist above shoulder
ashi-dachi
chudan
--

29
gedan-zuki

downward punch
hangetsu-dachi
gedan

30
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

31
age-uke

rising block
hangetsu-dachi
jodan

32
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi

vertical backfist strike
kokutsu-dachi
--
slow speed
33
jotai-sonomama

upper body as is
--
--
slow speed
kosa-ashi
34
mae-geri /
ken-kata-ue
front kick /
fist above shoulder
ashi-dachi
chudan
--

35
gedan-zuki

downward punch
hangetsu-dachi
gedan

36
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
hangetsu-dachi
chudan

37
age-uke

rising block
hangetsu-dachi
jodan

38
uraken-tate-mawashi-uchi

vertical backfist strike
kokutsu-dachi
--
slow speed
39
mikazuki-geri

crescent kick
ashi-dachi
chudan

40*
tsuki (gyaku-zuki)

punch (reverse punch)
hangetsu-dachi
chudan
zenkutsu variation
gedan variation
41
ryo-teisho-awase-uke
(gassho-uke)

palm-heels combined block
(joined palm block)
neko-ashi-dachi
gedan
slow speed
yori-ashi