Bonus Clip - Gojushiho Sho Shotokan Kata Guided By Naka Shihan

Gojushiho, or Useishi as it is known in Okinawa, is another kata accredited to Sokon Matsumura. It is uncertain whether he brought this kata back with him from his travels to China, or whether the kata was his final masterpiece, an amalgamation of all of his skill and knowledge. Gojushiho is translated simply as “Fifty-Four Steps,“ making reference to the number of steps or movements in the original kata. Anko Itosu, a student of Matsumura, is alleged to be the one who created two versions of the kata, a Dai (big) version and a Sho (small) version. Both versions are highly advanced and quite long, with Sho at 65 counts and Dai at 67 counts (Best Karate #11 gives counts of 65 and 62, respectively).