This form is a traditional taekwondo form, meaning it pre-dates contemporary forms (such as those used by the ITF, ATA, and WT). In other words, this is a form used during the 1950s within the Nine Kwans that eventually came together to form taekwondo.
- Older forms such as this one were often based on forms from other martial arts.
- The details and names of these older forms tend to vary more widely from school to school as well.
The version shown here is just one version; the reader should recognize that there will be variations among schools.
The karate kata Seisan (alternate names: Sesan, Sei-Shan, Jusan, Hangetsu) literally means '13'. Some people refer to the kata as '13 Hands', '13 Fists', '13 Techniques', '13 Steps' or even '13 killing positions', however, these names have no historical basis.
Seisan is thought to be one of the oldest kata, being quite spread among other Nahate schools. Shito-ryu has its own version and different versions are now practised even in Shurite derivatives like Shotokan (called Hangetsu) and in Wado-ryu (called Seishan). Isshin-ryū also adopted this kata. This kata is also practiced in Korean styles such as Tang Soo Do and Soo Bahk Do and is called Sei-Shan or Seishan in Korean. Due to its difficulty, this kata is often reserved for advanced students.
There are numerous theories as to the naming of the kata. These include the number of steps originally in the kata, the number of different types of 'power' or 'energy' in the kata, the number of applications, or that the kata represents defence against 13 specific types of attack. The most likely explanation is the number of non-repeating techniques contained within the kata. It is believed Seisan derives from Yong Chun White Crane Boxing from Fujian Province in Southern China, where the form is known as 'Four Gate Hands'. (This is completely unproven and uncorroborated. There are some other Chinese styles having a form called 'Shisan' (13) in their curricula, but a link from a specific kung-fu form to Okinawan Seisan has never been established.)
Video[]
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Diagram[]
This diagram is copyright John B. Correljé and is used with permission. Terms and conditions are available at http://sites.google.com/site/tangsoodochonkyong
Written Instructions[]
See http://www.trinityshotokan.com/documents/hangetsu.html
See Also[]
Many of the forms often used in Traditional Taekwondo are included in the following table. In developing his Moo Duk Kwan curriculum, Hwang Kee assigned symbols, listed below, to many of the forms.
Family / Origin | Forms |
---|---|
Basic beginner forms developed by Hwang Kee in 1947. | |
Later variants of the beginner forms, developed by the World Tang Soo Do Association; these emphasize earlier training in kicking. |
Sae Kye Hyeong Il Bu |
Pyung Ahn forms, also called Pinan and Heian forms. From Shotokan Karate, developed approx. 1870 as beginner forms. Symbol: The Tortoise |
Pyung Ahn Cho-Dan |
Naihanchi forms, from Shotokan Karate. Also called Chul-Gi, Keema, and Tekki. Symbol: The Horse | |
Bassai forms, Escaping the Fortress, also called Pal-Sek. Adapted into Shotokan Karate but originally from Kung Fu. Symbol: The Cobra |
Bassai Sho |
Adapted from Shotokan Karate. Symbol: The Crane | |
From the karate form Kūsankū. Symbol: The Eagle | Kong-Sang-Koon |
From the karate form Enpi. Symbol: The Bird | Wang Shu (also called Empi) |
From the karate form Seisan. Symbol: The Preying Mantis | Sei-Shan |
Ji-On forms, adapted from Shotokan Karate. |
Ji-On, Symbol: The Ram |
From the karate form Gojūshiho. Symbol: The Tiger |
O Sip Sa Bo (also called Gojūshiho) |
Adapted by Hwang Kee from Kung Fu and T'ai Chi. | |
Chil Sung, the Seven Stars developed by Hwang Kee in approx. 1952 |
Chil Sung Il Ro |
Yook Ro, the Six-Fold Path developed by Hwang Kee in approx. 1958, inspired by the Muye Dobo Tongji. |
Yook Ro Cho Dan - Du Mun |
See Taekwondo Forms for additional information.