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Tensho - Rotating Palms:


Tensho
Tensho was created in 1921 as "softer sanchin" by Sensei Chojun Miyagi to balance the "Go" (Hard) aspect of Heishugata (Sanchin-kata) with "Ju" (Soft) variation for Heishugata. Tensho literally means "turning" or "revolving" hands. It is a combination of hard dynamic tension with deep breathing and soft flowing hand movements, and is very characteristic of the Goju-Ryu style.

Some styles call it Rokkishu and it was created from some movements taken from Hakutsuru, although a more careful analysis suggests that it might be Miyagi's personal interpretation of Kakufa-kata that was in Higaonna's syllabus but is omitted in Goju-Ryu now. The hand movements and breathing require a high level of co-ordination.
The second "heishu" kata in Goju-Ryu, Tensho is derived from the Chinese form "Rokkishu". Unlike Sanchin, which is almost identical to its Chinese counterpart, Tensho is uniquely Okinawan.

From his understanding of the Kata of Goju-Ryu and the "nature of man", Miyagi Sensei developed Tensho to further complete his Goju-Ryu where Sanchin left off. Tensho has many of the same principles of Sanchin but goes further to include more intricate concepts of the techniques of Goju-Ryu. These concepts expressly come alive in kakie, which in advanced training, breathes life into the bunkai of the Kata of Goju-Ryu.

The term "heishu" translates as "closed". As with every aspect of Okinawan Karate, there is more than one definition. First, "heishu" can refer to muscle contraction and "ibuki" style breathing unique to Sanchin and Tensho. Secondly, it can imply the restriction and specific direction of energies within the energy pathways of the body, both superficial and deep. The other 10 Kata are referred to as "kaishu" or "open", as they are free of constant muscle contraction and breathing is "normal".

 
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