Sensei
Arcenio J. Advincula waited until he was 55 years old before he created his
first karate kata. When Sensei Advincula had his Oceanside, CA dojo, he taught
Escrima, Combat Judo, Hindiandi, Ryukonkai Kobudo, Isshin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo,
Ryukonkai Kobudo, and combat judo. At that time, Sensei Advincula's Hindiandi
students had only two empty hand kata to study. Because his Hindiandi students
wanted to study more than two empty hand kata, Sensei Advincula created a kata
for them to study. The date this kata was created is not specific because it
took some time to establish the base line for this kata.
Mr. Zane Legg, one of
Sensei Advincula's Hindiandi students from the Oceanside Dojo, returned from a
Marine Corps tour of duty on Okinawa in November 1993. Upon his return, Mr. Legg
observed Sensei Advincula working on a new kata. Mr. Legg, who studied Uechi-ryu
on Okinawa, remembers this because there is a takedown taught in Uechi-ryu's
Kanshiwa kata. This take down is similar to the one he saw in Sensei Advincula's
new kata. Mr. Legg believed Sensei Advincula's techniques were better than the
Uechi-ryu technique. Mr. Legg surmised that this new kata was created from
November 1993 to January 1994. Sensei Advincula finished this new kata in late
1994, and first taught it at a seminar for Carol Womack later that same year.
This seminar was held at Carol Womack's Gilmer Road Dojo in Longview, Texas.
This new kata would ultimately become Katagwa.
The genesis for this kata came from an instructor's selfless service to his
students. This kata is a product of over 50 years of martial arts training,
teaching, and personal hand-to-hand combat experience. The year 1994 was when
Sensei Advincula put the kata together; however, I would argue that Sensei
Advincula spent a lifetime perfecting the techniques he learned to make this
kata. Because of this, I think the birth date of Katagwa is 1946 when Sensei
Advincula first started his martial arts training (ref: Advincula's 40th
Isshin-Ryu Birthday, by Cherry Douglas). This kata is a result of all those
years of training. A wealth of knowledge and inspiration is contained in
Katagwa. As the article name implies, this is a "combat proven kata".
The first name Sensei Advincula used for his kata was Goncho. Mark Riddle
recommended to Sensei Advincula the kata be called Goncho. Goncho means
"Glasses". One of Sensei Advincula's nicknames on Okinawa was Goncho. Obviously,
Sensei Advincula was called Goncho because he wears glasses. Sensei Advincula
then told me he wanted to change the name again because the Okinawans call
everyone who wears glasses Goncho. This name does not last long and Sensei
Advincula changes the name to AJA around 1995. The name AJA comes from Sensei
Advincula's initials, Arcenio J. Advincula. In 1997, Sensei Advincula was in
Mississippi at a seminar for Mark Riddle. At this seminar Sensei Advincula met
an Aikido instructor, who is Italian, and learned that AJA means, "gas" as in
human gas. Obviously, Sensei Advincula did not like the idea of his kata being
referred to as a "gassy" kata. He wanted a unique name. Sensei Advincula then
changes the name to Katagwa in late 1997 or early 1998. Katagwa means "kata man"
(kata=kata gwa=man). Sensei Advincula picked this because Master Tatsuo
Shimabuku (the founder of Isshin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo) called Sensei Advincula
Katagwa. Master Shimabuku called Sensei Advincula Katagwa because when Sensei
Advincula was on Okinawa, he performed kata at all the Isshin-Ryu demonstrations
held by Master Shimabuku. Sensei Advincula's reputation as a kata and bunkai
expert grew because of this. Sensei Advincula confirmed this on a 1997 trip to
Okinawa. Sensei Advincula spoke to Tokumura, Kensho about this nickname.
Tokumura, Kensho verified that Master Shimabuku called Sensei Advincula
"Katagwa". Thus, Sensei Advincula decided to use Katagwa as the name of his
kata. After finally naming the kata Sensei Advincula changed the order of the
kata. What was once called AJA I would become Katagwa II because it was a harder
kata for a more advanced student. AJA II is a simpler kata and best used for
beginners; so, Sensei Advincula made that one Katagwa I. The name Katagwa is
unique and symbolic in its origin. The name Katagwa coming from Master Shimabuku
is appropriate and just another example of Sensei Advincula's commitment to
Master Shimabuku.
So, which styles make up Katagwa I and II? I asked Sensei Advincula this
question in 1995 and he said "from all of them". Later in 1998 I asked again,
"What style had the most influence on Katagwa." He replied, "all the styles I
studied". "OK" I said, " I understand, but which one was the most important?" He
looked at me and said " What part of ALL don't you understand private?" I was
expecting to hear that one had more influence over the others, but it's just not
there. When you do the kata you can see all sorts of things Sensei Advincula
teaches in each stance and move. Katagwa 1 and 2 come from several styles and
both share some commonalties. The basic Seisan stance and applicability are just
two examples. Sensei Advincula also incorporates a little Advincula-Do (this is
Sensei Advincula's own teachings) in the kata. Some people think this is an
Isshin-Ryu kata. Katagwa I and II are not Isshin-Ryu kata nor are they required
for Isshin-Ryu training. In fact Sensei Advincula starts both kata off with a
Gung Fu bow so as not to be confused with Isshin-Ryu.
Most kata also have a primary technique they teach. This is also true of
Katagwa I and II. Katagwa I is primarily patterned off of Seisan kata from
Isshin-Ryu Karate with some Hindiandi influence. This is a more basic kata. You
learn to punch and palm heel your opponent. As you strike him you close the gap
and strike again. Katagwa I primarily teaches you to hit and pursue your
opponent. Another distinct bunkai in Katagwa I is catching a foot. In this kata
you catch a kick to the mid-section with the ridge of the hand between the thumb
and the wrist. When I first learned this kata, Sensei Advincula taught to catch
the heel of the foot with the top of the hand, with fingers loose pointing down
and away. By 2001 it had changed. Instead of the fingers pointing down and away,
the fingers point down and in with the palm facing you. This is an example of
slight modifications in Katagwa I. The first technique was harder to perform and
students often couldn't catch the foot. Sensei Advincula continued to test this
technique and decided to change it. I teach both the first and second technique.
The new technique taught in 2001 is easier to catch the foot but the first
technique was the original. The point is that this kata is evolving. Slightly
but steadily. It's important to teach the old and the new techniques of Katagwa.
It's also important to explain the reasons for the change.
Katagwa II comes from Goju-ryu, Isshin-Ryu, Hindiandi Gung Fu and combat
judo. Katagwa II teaches to step behind your opponent's leg and take him down.
Katagwa II also uses the "Propeller technique" (predominantly found in Hindiandi
and a little in Isshin-Ryu) The propeller technique was named by Sensei
Advincula. (Propeller technique = left hand open middle block in/right hand open
middle block out and vise versa). Katagwa II's primary stance is the Isshin-Ryu
Seisan stance with the hands open palms facing away, hands level with the
shoulders. The elbows are one fist away from the rib cage. From this position
the defender can execute all the moves in Katagwa. It looks very natural and
it's also very deceptive. The reason it's deceptive is because this stance
doesn't look like a stance. It looks like a person just trying to talk to an
attacker. You're ready to execute and the attacker has no idea.
On one occasion, Sensei Advincula was returning from his first tour of duty
on Okinawa in March of 1960. Sensei Advincula's port of demarcation was at the
Treasure Island Navy Base, San Francisco, CA. Sensei Advincula, then a Marine
Corps Corporal (E3), tried to break up two different groups of Marines who were
fighting at the dock. One of the groups was the returning Marines from Okinawa
who were on the same ship as Sensei Advincula. The second group was Marines who
had just finished basic training and were going overseas. The group returning
from Okinawa wore a Class "A" Jersey wool uniform while those going overseas
were wearing civilian clothes. Because of this, it was easy to distinguish
between each group. At Sensei Advincula's command to stop fighting, both groups
stopped and began gathering into their two separate groups. In the group of
Marines wearing civilian clothes, a large Marine, who latter was identified as
starting the fight, came toward Sensei Advincula in a Shotokan type kamae and in
a zenkutsu stance. He stated that he didn't like NCO's. Instead of telling the
opponent he knew karate, which might further provoke the antagonist, Sensei
Advincula raised his hands in front of him with the palms facing the belligerent
aggressor and stated he wasn't looking for any trouble and just wanted to stop
the fight. This only bolstered the ego of the belligerent who threw a reverse
middle punch at Sensei Advincula's chest. Sensei Advincula countered and used
the propeller technique and kicked his opponent, which knocked him to the
ground. While slowly getting up from the ground and holding his groin, the
attacker, as if in a tournament, gave Sensei a compliment saying 'good kick.'
After getting up and regaining his senses, he again attempted to attack Sensei,
but was constantly thwarted. The attacker eventually tired and left, unaware
Sensei Advincula was using karate techniques. This experience influenced the
basic kamae of Katagwa II. This basic kamae in Katagwa II uses the natural
raising of the hands with the palms facing toward the opponent.
Katagwa II's movements and directions are based on the "Kenpo Gokui" with
emphasis on the eight directions. Katagwa II also introduces students to Sensei
Advincula's famous FLS. FLS stands for "funny little stance". This comes from
the Seiunchin stance in Isshin-Ryu. Sensei Advincula uses a lower Seiunchin
stance that supports tacking your opponent down but still allows you to quickly
transition into Seisan stance to fight another opponent as in the kata Wansu.
The Seiunchin and the Seisan stance both allow for the defender to fight
multiple opponents in multiple directions. This particular aspect of the kata
shows Sensei Advincula's emphasis on, and experience with fighting multiple
attackers. Of special note, Sensei Advincula used his Hindiandi and Isshin-Ryu
training as a defensive line coach for the San Diego Chargers. One of his
primary tasks as a coach was to help teach the defensive lineman how to get past
the offensive line as quickly as possible. Sensei Advincula practiced and tested
his martial arts skills on these football players. There's a technique in the
kata that comes from this experience. The techniques I'm referring to is,
pushing your left knee into the outside of your opponent's right knee and
pushing his upper torso left with the right palm. This technique pushes your
opponent out of your way. Usually the opponent ends up on the ground. Sensei
Advincula also uses his vast experience of personal self-defense situations he
encountered throughout his military career as a United States Marine.
In 1995 I asked Sensei
Advincula why he chose the moves he did when he created Katagwa I and II. Sensei
Advincula replied. "Because all the moves in Katagwa are combat tested, they
work." Sensei Advincula, being in the Marine Corps and having served one full
tour of duty and two partial tours in Vietnam, has had multiple opportunities to
implement self-defense techniques. Sensei Advincula has used all the moves in
Katagwa 1 and 2 in real situations. In fact, in 1961, while in Okinawa, Sensei
Advincula used the choke found in Katagwa II (technique from Combat judo which
he studied in 1946) so effectively the Okinawan authorities told Sensei
Advincula to leave the Island and not return. Later, Sensei Advincula would
re-enlist in the Marine Corps and civilian authorities could not stop his
return.
Another example of Katagwa's continued evolution and development was in May
2001. Heather Zeigler, a student of Sensei Advincula's from the Oceanside Dojo,
and I were at a seminar in New Jersey. Sensei Advincula was asked to do Katagwa
1 for the group. Heather and I both new the kata and were perplexed when Sensei
Advincula asked Sensei Glen Wargo, the senior instructor, "Which version of
Katagwa 1 do you want to do?" Heather and I only knew one version. We certainly
had never heard of multiple versions. Come to find out, there are three versions
of Katagwa I and only one version of Katagwa II. It's interesting to note that
there are three stars on the Isshin-Ryu Megami. One meaning of these three stars
is the # 1. One as in "One Heart Style". Katagwa I has three versions, which
equal one. I believe this is symbolic of Isshin-Ryu's influence on the kata. As
I said earlier, both the kata are being slightly modified. What I want the
reader to take away from this is that Sensei Advincula is teaching three
different versions of Katagwa I. All three versions use the same pattern, but
differ in the types of middle blocks and strikes used. One version uses only
punches and hard middle blocks. The other two versions use a combination of palm
heel strikes, punches, and open and closed middle blocks. Students who learn
this kata must be diligent to determine which version they are learning. The key
to this story is that the environment exists in which two different students can
learn Katagwa I, but learn a different version of the kata. However, both these
versions would be correct.
How could this environment be created? Sensei Advincula has often told me
that Master Shimabuku changed and modified his kata over time. Unless you kept
doing the kata with Master Shimabuku, you would miss the modifications. Sensei
Advincula continued to go back to Okinawa to study in Master Shimabuku's dojo.
Since I first learned Katagwa in 1995, I have seen Sensei Advincula make slight
modifications to the kata. I started seeing the slight modifications and noticed
that some students were only getting snap shots of the kata. This started to
cause students to question each other and debate the correctness of these
different Katagwa kata. I have seen this in several states and find it similar
to what happened to Isshin-Ryu after Master Shimabuku died. I confirmed with
Sensei Advincula that this is what he's doing and that this is what Master
Shimabuku did. So readers beware, these kata will continue to be modified as
long as Sensei Advincula is alive. It's incumbent upon us as students to
understand this kata and learn the modifications. Don't get me wrong. I
understand students will always discuss bunkai and techniques. This is a good
thing. But we in Isshin-Ryu and Isshinkai must do our very best to preserve the
teachings of Sensei Advincula. We must learn from history. We must not allow
controversy to surround this kata. We in Isshinkai can reduce this controversy
by being aware of and understanding the beginning and background of this kata.
It's our duty as respectful students.
Finally, Sensei Advincula created Isshinkai after Tokumura's Okinawan
Isshinkai, to preserve the teachings of Master Shimabuku. Those of us who have
come to follow Sensei Advincula were searching for the truth in Isshin-Ryu, and
would eventually become members of Isshinkai. I have seen many different schools
of thought on Isshin-Ryu even within Isshinkai. Katagwa must be beyond that. The
common fabric that binds us together in Isshinkai is Katagwa. No matter what our
upbringing was in Isshin-Ryu, Katagwa is Sensei Advincula's kata, and it should
only be modified after the original version or versions are taught. This will
preserve Sensei Advincula's teachings.
"You can only know for sure the true meaning of a kata if you know
the person who created it and why. Unless you were there at the time it
was being created you can only speculate the who, the what and the why".
Quote by "Katagwa"
The Combat Proven Kata