Jion - 慈恩
Jion is believed to be named after the Jion-ji, a Buddhist temple in China. Since there are many Jion-ji temples in existence, it is uncertain which one the kata refers to. The actual translation of Jion means “Love and Goodness.” Although the kata’s creator is unknown, credit is usually given to Sokon Matsumura, who is presumed to have learned this kata during his travels to China. Jion is the simplest of the Sentei kata and is comprised mostly of pieces from Heian and Tekki kata. It has 47 counts and contains some of the most basic movements that Shotokan has to offer. Being a simple kata, there are no fancy moves to hide behind. If a student possesses poor basics, then the performance of Jion will be weak. For this reason, it is an excellent kata to judge one’s overall technique. The idea when performing the kata is to be like a Buddha, with a strong yet humble spirit. The simplicity of its movements demonstrates one’s humility, yet each technique should be performed with explosive power and unwavering stability. Instructors have been known to group Jion along with Jitte and Jiin (the latter not in the official JKA syllabus), since each start with the same hand-over-fist salutation and have very similar movements.
| Kyodo | Technique | Translation | Stance | Target | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | uchi-uke/ gedan-uke |
inside block/ down block |
zenkutsu-dachi | chudan/ gedan |
||
| 2 | ryoken-kakiwake-uke | both fists wedge block | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | slow speed | |
| 3 | mae-geri | front kick | ashi-dachi | chudan | ||
| 4 | oi-zuki | lunge punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 5 | gyaku-zuki | reverse punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 6 | tsuki | punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 7 | ryoken-kakiwake-uke | both fists wedge block | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | slow speed | |
| 8 | mae-geri | front kick | ashi-dachi | chudan | ||
| 9 | oi-zuki | lunge punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 10 | gyaku-zuki | reverse punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 11 | tsuki | punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 12 | age-uke | rising block | zenkutsu-dachi | jodan | ||
| 13 | gyaku-zuki | reverse punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 14 | age-uke | rising block | zenkutsu-dachi | jodan | ||
| 15 | gyaku-zuki | reverse punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 16 | age-uke | rising block | zenkutsu-dachi | jodan | ||
| 17* | oi-zuki | lunge punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 18 | uchi-uke/ gedan-uke (manji-uke) |
inside block/ down block (swirling block) |
kokutsu-dachi | jodan/ gedan |
||
| 19 | kagi-zuki | hook punch | kiba-dachi | chudan | yori-ashi | |
| 20 | uchi-uke/ gedan-uke (manji-uke) |
inside block/ down block (swirling block) |
kokutsu-dachi | jodan/ gedan |
||
| 21 | kagi-zuki | hook punch | kiba-dachi | chudan | yori-ashi | |
| 22 | gedan-barai | down block | zenkutsu-dachi | gedan | ||
| 23 | teisho-yoko-uke | sideways palm-heel block | kiba-dachi | chudan | ||
| 24 | teisho-yoko-uke | sideways palm-heel block | kiba-dachi | chudan | ||
| 25 | teisho-yoko-uke | sideways palm-heel block | kiba-dachi | chudan | ||
| 26 | uchi-uke/ gedan-uke (manji-uke) |
inside block/ down block (swirling block) |
kokutsu-dachi | jodan/ gedan |
||
| 27 | morote-uke | double-hand block | heisoku-dachi | jodan | ||
| 28 | uchi-uke/ gedan-uke (manji-uke) |
inside block/ down block (swirling block) |
kokutsu-dachi | jodan/ gedan |
||
| 29 | morote-uke | double-hand block | heisoku-dachi | jodan | ||
| 30 | ryoken-kakiwake-uke | both fists wedge block | heisoku-dachi | gedan | slow speed | |
| 31 | ryoken-kosa-uke (juji-uke) |
both fists cross block (X-block) |
kosa-dachi | gedan | ||
| 32 | ryoken-kakiwake-uke | both fists wedge block | zenkutsu-dachi | gedan | ||
| 33 | ryoken-kakiwake-uke | both fists wedge block | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 34 | ryoken-kosa-uke (juji-uke) |
both fists cross block (X-block) |
zenkutsu-dachi | jodan | ||
| 35 | tate-uraken-uchi | vertical back-fist strike | zenkutsu-dachi | jodan | ||
| 36 | tsuki-uke/ haiwan-uchi-nagashi-uke |
punch-block/ back-arm inside flowing block |
zenkutsu-dachi | chudan/ jodan |
||
| 37 | tate-uraken-uchi/ zenwan-mune-suhei-kamae |
vertical back-fist strike/ forearm chest posture |
zenkutsu-dachi | jodan/ – |
ura-zuki variation | |
| 38 | uchi-uke | inside block | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 39 | oi-zuki | lunge punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 40 | uchi-uke | inside block | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 41 | oi-zuki | lunge punch | zenkutsu-dachi | chudan | ||
| 42 | gedan-barai | down block | zenkutsu-dachi | gedan | ||
| 43 | zenwan-uchi-otoshi/ fumikomi |
forearm falling strike/ stomp kick |
kiba-dachi | chudan | ||
| 44 | zenwan-uchi-otoshi/ fumikomi |
forearm falling strike/ stomp kick |
kiba-dachi | chudan | ||
| 45 | zenwan-uchi-otoshi/ fumikomi |
forearm falling strike/ stomp kick |
kiba-dachi | chudan | ||
| 46 | sokumen-zuki (yumi-zuki) |
punch to side (bow punch) |
kiba-dachi | chudan | yori-ashi | slow speed |
| 47* | sokumen-zuki (yumi-zuki) |
punch to side (bow punch) |
kiba-dachi | chudan | yori-ashi slow variation |