Or How I Learned This Kata
During my last stay in Beppu, I had the opportunity to learn „Yabu no Jion.“ On the first day of training, Ikeda sensei told me that my work task for the stay would be „Sanseru“ and „Kihon San“—in addition to corrections and a lot of Kihon practice.
During the week, after I could remember Kihon San, which is actually a preparation kata for Jion and Pecchurin, the topic of Jion came up. Ikeda sensei asked me if I knew a version of Jion. Indeed, I did—in my old Shōtōkan days in Germany, it was my favorite kata. After I demonstrated the Shōtōkan version, Ikeda sensei decided that I should also learn the Tō’on-ryū version of Jion, also known as „Yabu no Jion.“
Actually, „Yabu no Jion“ differs a lot from the Shōtōkan version. It’s closer to the version of Hanashiro Chōmo, which is also a very unique kata.
In my opinion, this kata showcases many of Yabu’s teachings and clearly reflects his idea of Karate.
We are very fortunate that Yabu Kentsū decided to teach the kata to Kyoda Jūhatsu and that Kyoda sensei passed it on to three of his students (his son, Iraha Chōkō sensei, and Kanzaki Shigekazu sensei).
„Yabu no Jion“ is now a significant part of my Karate training.
Announcement: I can’t teach or show you the kata. If you really want to learn it, the only place on Earth is Beppu, Japan.