JION – LOVE AND KINDNESS.
Jion is a very representative kata of the Shotōkan style. It incorporates some typical techniques that are also present in the Heian kata. The yōi is performed in heisoku dachi, with the left hand wrapping the right fist. The upper edges of the hands are at chin height.
The series of Teishō techniques sees the first two techniques as defense, the last one is both defense and attack: You fend off a stick attack and throw the opponent off balance with a strong hip rotation.
The defensive techniques of Jōdan morote uke in Heisoku dachi require well-synchronized body tension to be effective. Here, as with the Teishō techniques, the counter techniques are left to the practitioner, or the executed techniques can also be interpreted as counters.
The entire following series is a series of demanding techniques that, through intensive practice and appropriate body control (the use of the hips is particularly important), lead to powerful and harmonious movements.
For the series of otoshi techniques, the strike is performed from a very high position, allowing the defense to simultaneously deliver a punch to the attacker's forearm (otoshi uchi). Additionally, the fumikomi attack is performed on the opponent's foot. Otoshi uke is practiced in different ways: with or without a backswing.
In the Tsukami yose at the end of the kata, the gripping movements are performed in a circular, horizontal manner in front of the upper body. Care should be taken to keep the elbow of the defending arm down, close to the body.
Duration: approximately 70 seconds
