EMPI – FLIGHT OF THE SWALLOW.
The original name of Empi was Wanshū. This is still the name given to this kata in the Wadō-ryū, Shōrin-ryū, and Shitō-ryū styles. "Flight of the Swallow" is a clear indication of the kata's fast and dynamic nature.
The yōi is performed in heisoku dachi, with the left hand open and resting against the right fist. Both hands rest on the left hip.
Following the techniques following an attack to the opponent's chin from below upwards (age zuki), the opponent is grasped by the hair or collar and pulled downwards into a knee strike (tsukami yose). The left fist then executes a chūdan-zuki. The tsukami yose technique in empi is usually performed with a slight clockwise hand rotation. However, there is also a variation without a hand rotation: the hand is simply opened. The left, attacking hand is held by the opponent (as a possible interpretation of the next movement), and the attacker frees himself by attacking the opponent's hand with a fist punch during a rotating movement. The stance for this can be a somewhat longer zenkutsu dachi. In this case, the gedan barai is returned to its normal length with a slight withdrawal of the front foot. This deliberate, dynamic lightness underlines the character of empi. This series appears several times.
Duration: approximately 70 seconds
