Sanchin
Encyclopedia : S : SA : SAN : Sanchin
| 三戰 | |
| Japanese: | sanchin |
| Mandarin Pinyin: | sānzhàn |
| Minnan: | saN1 chian3 |
| Literally | "three battles" |
Best known by its Japanese name, Sanchin is a martial arts training routine (Japanese: kata) of Fujianese (south China) origin that is considered to be the core of several styles, the most well-known being the Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu styles of Karate as well as the Chinese martial arts of Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, and the Tiger-Crane Combination style associated with Ang Lian-Huat. Tam Hon taught a style that was called simply "Saam Jin" ("Sanchin" in Cantonese). The name Sanchin, meaning three battles, is sometimes interpreted as the battle to unify the mind, body, and spirit; there are other interpretations of it, however.
The Sanchin routine uses only its namesake stance and is carried out with controlled breathing (ibuki breathing)- only half exhilation so that you never fully exhale. Inhalation and exhalation are performed in unison with the various blocking and striking movements. In the most commonly taught versions, emphasis is placed on the tension of the practitioners' muscles, and movement of the body as a solid, stable unit, with only the moving part relaxing a little. The Chinese and Uechi-Ryu version uses open hands while other Japanese versions tend to use closed fists. Certain schools of Five Ancestors kung fu, most noticeably those hailing from the Chee Kim-Thong lineage, employ minimal tension during execution. This is intended to facilitate the correct training of qi (or ki).
The version of Sanchin used by most styles was developed by Goju Ryu founder Chojun Miyagi and uses a very strong, tense closed fist "push". In Uechi Ryu the practice of Sanchin is closer to the Chinese version with faster spear hand strikes a little snake like.
The Sanchin stance
-->Note that the following description does not apply to the Chinese Sānzhàn stance.
The narrow (shoulder width) upright "pigeon-toed" foot position of the Sanchin stance (Japanese: sanchin dachi) balances stability in two directions (front and side) with the hip rotation needed for strong punches and kicks. The turned-in position of the front knee and the bent back knee help protect the groin from kicks.
Technique
The rear foot should be facing forward or slightly turned in. The front foot should be placed 1 shoulder width apart turned in at 45°. The toes of the back foot should line up with the heel of the front foot. The knees should be bent in towards each other. Hips, body, and shoulders should face forwards. The spine should be straight.See also
- Karate
- Karate kata
- Goju Ryu
- Uechi Ryu
- Fujian White Crane (martial art)
- Five Ancestors
- Tiger Crane Paired Form
- Isshin Ryu
External links
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