The Kata Sochin is one of the
Shotokan Kata that is a favorite in tournaments and demonstrations. The
performance of this Kata is heavy and powerful, typical of Katas classified as
“Shorei”.The Kanji for “So” means grand, vigorous, energetic, ancient peace,
and robust. The Kanji “Chin” means “suppress, put down, or make calm. Thus the
common interpretations of its name are “Strength and Calm”, “Energetic Calm”,
“Preserve the Peace” and “Peace Keeper”. It is also believed that the Enbusen
or the performance line of Sochin draws the Kanji character for “Mamoru” which means “to protect”. It is important to clarify that the stance used in Sochin
is not Sochin Dachi but Fudo Dachi.
In the Todaiji, one of the biggest
temples in Japan, there is a statue of Fudo Myoo the Buddhist God of War. Fudo
Myoo was in the Muso gamae or the “incomparable posture” which is the very
first move in Sochin. Like the statue on the cover of Master Gichin Funakoshi's book "Karate-do Kyohan".
Master Gichin Funakoshi has taught Karate to be a Way or a
“Do” to reach perfection of character, the way or a path that will teach us how
to master ourselves. Karate provides the philosophies that can make whatever one’s beliefs or convictions even stronger. Therefore, every part of Karate from Mokuso, Etiquettes, Kata and Kumite are tools for a better understanding of “Truth” or reality. The
Enbusen of Sochin implying “to protect” could be re-enforcing one of the Dojo
Kun which says “Be faithful; Defend the path of Truth”. People and outside forces
will often attack your belief and
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| Kanji for "Protection" |
principles. If any of your beliefs and the Way
of Karate-do is attacked it is our responsibility to defend it. However, we
should protect not in negative ways like being disrespectful of other’s
beliefs, arguing, canceling and discriminating those who are critical of your
belief. To feel that you have to argue is being insecure and to easily get
offended by those who express different beliefs means that we are too prideful. Karate trains us to be humble and to lessen our pride. Humbly explain and express your belief, so that they learn and understand then you
walk on. Respect their beliefs and let their opinions be a reason for improvement and to
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| Kanji for "Protect" |
further one’s
knowledge. Another way of defending the Way of karate or any of your beliefs is
to be responsible in propagating it not just to survive, but for it to continue
to thrive and grow for generations. To be faithful means to stay loyal and
committed to the Way. To defend it; means that we should not give up, we should
have the perseverance and the patience in pursuing truth. One must continue to
devote himself to training, experiencing Karate and perfecting techniques to eliminate bad habits.
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Fudo Miyoo is the person's
unmoving mind. |
Fudo
Dachi is the dominant stance used in the Kata Sochin. Fudo Dachi is known as
the immovable stance. According to the book “The Unfettered Mind;” Takuan Soho,
an ancient Zen Master wrote letters entitled Fudochishinmyoroku, “The Mysterious
Record of Immovable Wisdom” to Master Swordsman Yagyu Munenori who taught two
generations of Shoguns. Takuan Soho described Fudo Miyoo as the immovable enlightened king whose shape or form is the protector of Buddhism and his embodiment is that of immovable wisdom. Fudo Miyoo is a person’s unmoving mind.
A mind that does not stop or is not detained by any matter; a mind that has
reached a state of No- mind is to have immovable wisdom that clears away all
delusions. An example is when your mind got fixated on your opponent’s punches then
you missed and got caught by his kick. You got fixated with one opponent and
the other guys knocked you down. Your mind is fixated with growing your
relationships that you missed growing your personal success or vice versa. You
are fixated on your difficult boss and fail to appreciate your coworkers. You
focus on anger you miss out on love, focus on what is lacking you fail to
appreciate your blessings. The mind that continues to flow is immovable and the mind that stops is ignorant.
The Inyo
or the Yin and Yang symbols represent the duality in the universe. The
different combinations of the meanings of the syllables “So” and “Chin”
suggests the duality of Karate. The name Sochin may suggest a violent strategy for self defense such as “Grand Suppression” or “Vigorously put down”. Sochin
may also mean “Energetic Calm”, “Ancient Peace and Calm”. Sochin is a Kata for
achieving
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The Shotokan tiger represents Alertness, Power and
Strength contained in a circle of Calmness |
Physical and technical strength, to put down your opponents with heavy
and powerful blows. One must have the strength to protect himself so he or she can also protect others. Karatekas should have the strength that is contained by a calm, peaceful mind; only to be unleashed when needed. Sochin is a Kata for inner strength and calm spirit to be the wiser.
*Shout out to the Way, the Truth and the Life
Sources:
https://www.themartialway.com.au/sochin/
https://ski-usf.com/shotokan-tiger/
https://www.themartialway.com.au/shotokan-tiger-symbol-2/
Rob Redmond “Kata the
Folk dances of Shotokan”. Holly Springs: Rob Redmond, January 2008
Takuan Soho and translated
by William Scott Wilson. The Unfettered Mind Writings of the Zen Master to the
Sword Master. USA: Kodansha, January 1, 1986
