View source for Chūgoku no Chikara Himitsu

'''Chūgoku no Chikara Himitsu''' (“The Secret Power of China”) is an odd name for a [[Karate|karate]] [[Kata|kata]]. In the past, the Chinese influences on karate were down-played or intentionally covered-up. The names of all of the kata -- and even the name of the art itself -- were changed to appeal to the tastes of Imperial Japan. Prior to the 1920’s, the Okinawans called their fighting art “Tang hands” (to-te); the Okinawans used “Tang” and “China” interchangeably, since the Chinese made first contact during their Tang dynasty.

However the world has grown too small, and its problems have grown too large to keep feeding into petty nationalism. [[Goshin-Jutsu]] Karatedō is fully cognizant of the Chinese roots of karate, and has come to embrace them. This allows us to have the bone-crushing power of karate strikes with the free-flowing fluid motions of kung-fu, while avoiding the rigid inflexibility which karate's critics denounce. 

Chūgoku no Chikara Himitsu is appropriate for [[Intermediate|intermediate students]] and higher; while it is not a difficult form, it requires prior knowledge and experience to understand. It is a good stepping-stone to our [[Advanced|advanced]] kata, which will progressively become more fluid.
==Directions==
[video of Haimitsu, performed fast and slow, viewed from cameras at #1, 3, 7, 5. Be sure that you take up the whole frame. A lot of our old kata videos are from too far away, and it hides some detail. ]
{{#ev:youtube|dYXyThU80Ms|800|center|}}

[[File:Points_of_Harmony.png|center]]
#Quickly look to #7. Pull your right leg in, and pivot clockwise on the ball of your left foot to #7, with a right [[Knee block|knee block]].  Enter a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]], facing #7, with a right [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]].
#Execute a right [[Grasping block|grasping block]], and shift forward into a short [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #7, then counterattack with a left four-fingered [[Spearhand strike|spearhand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]].
#Quickly look over your left shoulder to #3. Pull your left leg in, and pivot counter-clockwise on the ball of your right foot to #3, with a left [[Knee block|knee block]].  Enter a right  [[Cat stance|cat stance]], facing #3, with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]].
#Execute a left [[Grasping block|grasping block]], and shift forward into a short [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #3, then counterattack with a right four-fingered [[Spearhand strike|spearhand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]].
#Quickly look to #1. Pull your right leg up into a left sleeping [[Crane stance|crane stance]] facing #1 with right [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]]. 
#Execute a right [[Grasping block|grasping block]], and step your right foot back to #6, entering a right [[Back stance|back stance]] facing #1 with a left [[Pressing block|pressing block]]. 
#Execute a right [[Knee kick|knee kick]]. Upon returning to a left [[Front stance|front stance]], reach your left hand behind the opponent’s head and pull it into a right [[Elbow_strikes#Forward_elbow_strike|forward elbow strike]]. (This should make a satisfying clap.)
#Keeping your elbows where they are, reach forward with both hands; the left arm is high, and the right arm is low, to clear the opponent away. 
#While [[Ibuki|ibuki]] breathing, pull your right leg up to a [[Sanchin dachi|sanchin dachi]] facing #1, with your hands in a spearhand guard; with your right hand at throat-level, and your left hand at [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]] level.<br/>Then switch your guard; lowering your right hand to solar plexus level, and raising your left hand to throat level. 
#Left [[Nami-ashi uke|nami ashi]], and pull hands to your hips, with your palms facing up. Step your left foot out to #2, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] to #1 with an open-handed downward [[X-block]].
#Left [[Nami-ashi uke|nami ashi]], and pull hands to your hips, with your palms facing up. Step your left foot out to #2, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] to #1 with an “incorrect” (left arm on top) open-handed rising [[X-block]].
#Immediately perform a right [[Grasping block|grasping block]]. Right [[Nami-ashi uke|nami ashi]], stepping your right foot out to #5, entering a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #7 with a left [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] to #1.
#[[Twisting|Twist]] and [[Kneeling|kneel]] on your right knee, facing #1 with a right rising [[Ridgehand strike|ridgehand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]]. 
#Perform a right [[Kakutō uchi|kakutō uchi]] to their [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]] as they bends down. Prop the opponent up with a left rising [[Palmheel strike|palmheel strike]] to the [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]], and rechamber your right hand to hip. 
#Right [[Gyaku-sukuite|gyaku-sukuite]]. 
#Quickly look to #3. Stand up and [[Twisting|twist]] into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #3, with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]].
#Use the [[Walking cat|walking cat]] transition to enter a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #3, with a right [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]]
#Use the [[Walking cat|walking cat]] transition to enter right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #3, with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]].
#Pull up into a left sleeping [[Crane stance|crane stance]] facing #3, with a right [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]].
#Turn your ridgehand over into a right [[Grasping block|grasping block]]. Set your right foot down in a [[Transitional stance|transitional]] [[Attention stance|attention stance]] before sliding it to #1, entering a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #3, with a:
#*Left punch to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Philtrum|philtrum]].
#*Right punch to their [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]]. 
#*Shift into a right [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] with a left [[Tate-shutō uchi|tate-shutō]] to the [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_neck|side of their neck]].
#*Shift into a left [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] with a right punch to their [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]] or [[Kyūsho#Bladder|bladder]].
#Quickly look over your left shoulder to #7. Pull your right leg in, and pivot clockwise on the ball of your left foot to #7, with a right [[Knee block|knee block]].  Enter a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]], facing #7, with a right [[Naifu-kinniku|naifu-kinniku]].
#Use the [[Walking cat|walking cat]] transition to enter right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #7, with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]]. 
#Use the [[Walking cat|walking cat]] to enter a left [[Cat stance|cat stance]] facing #7, with a right [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]].
#Pull up into a right sleeping [[Crane stance|crane stance]] facing #7, with a left [[Ridgehand block|ridgehand block]].
#Turn your ridgehand over into a left [[Grasping block|grasping block]]. Set your right foot down in a [[Transitional stance|transitional]] [[Attention stance|attention stance]] before sliding it to #1, entering a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #7, with a:
#*Right punch to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Philtrum|philtrum]].
#*Left punch to their [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]]. 
#*Shift into a left [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] with a right [[Tate-shutō uchi|tate-shutō]] to the [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_neck|side of their neck]].
#*Shift into a right [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] with a left punch to their [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]] or [[Kyūsho#Bladder|bladder]].
#Quickly look to #1. Twist into a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]].
#Shift into a left [[Hook stance|hook stance]] facing #3, with a right [[Pressing block|pressing block]] to #3 
#Reach your left arm across your chest to [[Grasping block|grasp]] the opponent’s wrist, forearm, or sleeve. Right [[Nami-ashi_uke|nami-ashi]], and slide your right foot out to #1, entering a [[Horse stance|horse stance]] facing #3, with a right [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] to #1.
#Quickly look to #5. Drop your center as low as you can, and place your hands on your quadriceps. 
#Step your right foot to #4, quickly looking over your right shoulder to #5. [[Twisting|Twist]] into a deep right [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5, with a right [[Shutō_block#Downward_knife-hand_block|downward shutō block]].
#Shift your weight back, and slide your right foot to #2, entering a right [[Cat stance|cat stance]] with a left [[Shutō_block#Outside_knife-hand_block|outside shutō block]]. Execute a left two-fingered [[Spearhand strike|spearhand strike]] to the opponent’s [[Kyūsho#Eyes|eyes]].
#Grab the opponent's hair with your left hand, and pull them into a left [[Front kick|front kick]]. 
#Upon re-chambering, step your left foot out to #6, entering a left [[Front stance|front stance]] facing #5. Pull your left hand to your left hip, and execute a right [[Hassō-shutō_uchi|hassō-shutō]] to your left hip as well.
#Quickly look to #4. Shift into a left walking [[Crane stance|crane stance]] facing #6, with a  left downward [[Pressing block|pressing block]] at groin level, and a right palm-heel to chin level. Your right wrist is twisted such that it looks like you threw a [[Tate-shutō_uchi|tate-shutō]]. <br/><br/> ''This position will be referred to as a “Chugoku-te guard.” Refer to the photo below.'' <br/><br/>[picture of a Chugoku-te guard from the front and side.]
#Execute a simultaneous right [[Side kick|side]] [[Thrust kick|thrust kick]] and a right [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] to #4. 
#Upon re-chambering, step your right foot to #5 and shift into a right [[Full-side-facing|full-side-facing]] with a [[Downward-fist block|downward-fist block]] to #1, and a [[Cross-body block|cross-body block]] to #5.
#Pull up into an [[Attention stance|attention stance]]. [[Goshin-Jutsu bow]].

==Notes ==
It is critical that you emphasize twisting into the opponent on Movement 6. If you just step back into your stance, you will not have enough power to break the opponent’s elbow.

The guard-switching in Movement 9 is a circular movement confined to a vertical plane.

Be sure to bring your knee block across your chest before turning in Movement 21. You need to wildly exaggerate this move, since it requires lots of momentum to perform smoothly. 

Once you look at the opponent in Movement 29, do not look away from them. Immediately turn to look at them again once you step, so that your head remains fixed, and your body rotates beneath you. This way, the spin won’t make you dizzy, preserving your balance. 
==Bunkai==
.An opponent approaches from #7, and attacks from close range, but you deflect the attack (Movement 1) and crush their [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]]. (Movement 2). This series is repeated on the other side, to help ingrain it into the student’s muscle memory (Movements 3 and 4).

Another opponent attacks your with a right [[Pursuit punch|pursuit punch]] from #1, which you evade and deflect (Movement 5), before disabling their arm with an [[Elbow break|elbow break]] (Movement 6), and using their compromised position to set up a [[Knee kick|knee kick]] and a [[Elbow_strikes#Forward_elbow_strike|forward elbow strike]] to the face (Movement 7). To prevent the now-unconscious opponent from compromising your balance by collapsing on top of you, you extend your arms out to clear the opponent away with your forearms. If the fall towards, the left, they will be swept down and aside by your [[Downward-fist block|downward block]]; if they fall to the right, they will be taken down with a variant of [[Kokyūhō|kokyūhō]] (Movement 8).

As you clear the opponent aside, another opponent immediately approaches from #1. Without time to evade, you drop your center, and assume [[Sanchin dachi|sanchin dachi]] with [[ibuki|ibuki breathing]] to steel yourself for impact. By assuming a spearhand guard, you prevent the opponent from entering [[Maai#The Clinch|the clinch]], since they can’t run in without stabbing their own [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throats]]. By switching between spearhand guards, you can exploit the wedge technique to deflect incoming attacks (Movement 9).

As the opponent presses on, executing a [[Nami-ashi_uke|nami-ashi]] initially tricks them into thinking that you offer no resistance, since you are not pushing back, but by suddenly assume a solid stance, the opponent’s low-level attack is abruptly stopped (Movement 10). This is repeated for the opponent’s follow-up high-level attack, which you jam up in a non-standard way (Movement 11) to help setup a [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] (Movement 12) needed as an [[Atemi|atemi]] to stun the opponent long enough for you to smash their [[Kyūsho#Groin|testicles]] with a rising [[Ridgehand strike|ridgehand strike]] (Movement 13). Since [[Kyūsho#Groin|groin]] injury causes men to reflexively double-over, the opponent will fall on top of you unless you prop them up again (Movement 14). Once that is done, you are free to annihilate their chances of conception with a [[Gyaku-sukuite|gyaku-sukuite]] (Movement 15).

Another opponent rushes in from #3, with a right punch. By standing to deflect this, you will simultaneously clear the previous opponent away with a hip check (Movement 16). The opponent continues to punch, but you continue to deflect those blows and close in (Movements 17 and 18), before evading (Movement 16) and countering with a series of blows (Movement 20). This series is also repeated on the other side, to help ingrain it into the student’s muscle memory (Movements 21-25).

Another opponent rushes in from #1, with a left punch, which you deflect (Movement 26), and counter with an [[Elbow break|elbow break]] (Movement 27), before pulling them into a [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] (Movement 28).

A new attacker appears at #5, swinging with a right [[Haymaker|haymaker]], which you duck (Movement 29), before striking their thigh with a [[hassō-shutō uchi|shutō strike]] to off-balance them and/or give them a Charlie Horse (Movement 30). Unphased, the opponent attacks with another right punch, which you evade, block, and counter by piercing their [[Kyūsho#Eyes|eye]] (Movement 31), as an [[Atemi|atemi]] to pull them into a [[Front kick|front kick]] (Movement 32). You pull the opponent’s head to your left hip as a “karate chopping block,” to maximize the damage from the [[hassō-shutō uchi|shutō strike]] to the [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_jaw|side of their jaw]] or [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_neck|neck]] (Movement 33).  

Two of the attackers from earlier have regained their composure, and team up to attack you simultaneously from #4 and #6. You deflect the opponent’s punch from #6 by placing them in a standing [[Arm bar|arm bar]] (Movement 34). You stop the opponent at #4 with a [[Side kick|side]] [[Thrust kick|thrust kick]], and take advantage of their crumpling effect to augment a [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] to the [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_jaw|side of their jaw]] or their [[Kyūsho#Temples|temple]] (Movement 35). Finally, you strike the previously arm barred attacker with a [[Backfist strike|backfist strike]] to the [[Kyūsho#Philtrum|philtrum]] while striking an awesome pose, just because (Movement 36). 

Having defeated all those wishing to harm you, the encounter ends (Movement 37).


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