Junro Shodan

順路 初段

The designation of Junro (or 順路 in Japanese) literally translates as ‘ordinary path’. This is the first level ( 初段 ; shodan) training kata of a series of five developed by Tetsuhiko Asai (1935 – 2006) to ensure that the students would also develop lesser used striking techniques, stances, and spinning techniques. This first kata in the Junro training series trains push and pull, which is the variation of distance via hip and leg control. This training kata concentrates on the Gyaku-Tsuki punch. The core of this training kata is the control of the support leg. In this video (recorded on 6 May 2024), budoka Johan Oldenkamp, a former national runner-up from the Netherlands, performs this First Level Ordinary Path Training Kata of Shotokan ( 松濤館 ) Karate-do ( 空手道 ).

Description of the Techniques of this Kata

Series 1 (both to the left and to the right):
Gedan Barai (Kiba Dachi) + Yoko Uchi Uke Jodan (Heiko Dachi) + Kizamae Tsuki (Zenkutsu Dachi) +
(Ushiro Kai Ashi) Gedan Barai (Zenkutsu Dachi) + Gyaku Tuski

Series 2 (to the front):
Gedan Barai (Zenkutsu Dachi) + Uchi Uke (Neko Ashi Dachi) + Gyaku Tuski (Zenkutsu Dachi) [each side once] +
(Kai Ashi) Gyaku Tsuki (Zenkutsu Dachi) [Kiai]

Series 3 (both to the left and to the right):
Jodan Barai (Kokutsu Dachi) + Soto Uke (Neko Ashi Dachi) + Gyaku Tuski (Zenkutsu Dachi) +
(Kai Ashi) Gyaku Tsuki (Zenkutsu Dachi)

Series 4 (to the back):
Gedan Barai (Zenkutsu Dachi) + Age Uke (Neko Ashi Dachi) + Kizamae Geri + Gyaku Tuski (Zenkutsu Dachi) [each side once] +
(Kai Ashi) Gyaku Tsuki (Zenkutsu Dachi) [Kiai]

Series 5 (both to the left and to the right):
Uchi Uke (Kokutsu Dachi) + Kizamae Nukite (Zenkutsu Dachi) +
(Kai Ashi) Oi Tsuki (Zenkutsu Dachi)

© Shotokan-Karatedo.org : This page was last updated on 2024/05/14.