Goju-Ryu Kata – Seisan

This page will help you to learn Goju-Ryu kata – Seisan. This kata is also known as Sesan. The Seisan kata means “Thirteen Hands”. For information on other Goju-Ryu Karate katas, please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Goju-Ryu Katas section.

Written kata instructions are at the bottom of the page. There are 12 official “core” katas for Goju-Ryu. However, the Sanchin kata is occasionally separated into two katas by some schools. Therefore, people are sometimes confused and think there are 13 Goju-Ryu katas. In addition, some Goju-Ryu schools and organizations borrow katas from other styles and they might use more than the official 12 katas.

You should also read the Black Belt Wiki section on Is Kata Useful or Useless? as it discusses the pros & cons of kata. To learn other Karate katas (i.e. Shotokan), please visit the main Katas & Forms section.

Wiki – Best Karate Books

Demonstration of Seisan – Goju-Ryu Kata – Front View

Demonstration of Seisan – Goju-Ryu Kata – Side View

Demonstration of Seisan – Goju-Ryu Kata

Written Kata Instructions

  • Bow from Musubi Dachi
  • Right sanchin dachi, double middle block, left punch, left middle block
  • Left sanchin dachi, double middle block, right punch, right middle block
  • Right sanchin dachi, double middle block, left punch, left middle block
  • Chamber hands at hips
  • Left finger thrust to throat, right finger thrust to throat, double finger thrust to throat
  • Chamber hands at hips while performing rear heel kick to groin, burst forward and press palms down
  • Repeat heel kick sequence twice more
  • Face left while chambering hands, right kansetsu geri to right side, face rear in left zenkutsu dachi
  • Left step, double kagi uke
  • Right step, double kagi uke
  • Left step, double kagi uke
  • Left hand open guarding head, right hand extend to right side for throat grab
  • Squeeze right hand, shift to face right, gyaku tsuki, seiken tsuki, right hammerfist to temple
  • Right side thrust kick, face left side, left palm hand block
  • Right cross step over left, kiba dachi to rear left corner, left kagi uke, three straight punches
  • Face left side and chamber hands
  • Right side thrust kick to rear wall, high middle block, right hammerfist to side, right low block
  • Left strike across body, bow and arrow punch to rear wall
  • Face front and chamber hands
  • Right kansetsu geri, right cross step behind
  • Left zen facing front, left kagi uke
  • Right front kick, slide back to cat stance, kagi uke
  • Mawashi uke starting with left high and right low
  • End mawashi uke with right hand high and left low
  • Return to musubi dachi
  • End of kata

Reference Sources

  1. Kata instructions are courtesy of Mike at MBD Martial Arts, http://www.mbdmartialarts.com/, Added – 04/13/15

Related Pages – Goju-Ryu Katas