This kata is called “The Mirror of the Soul” or “White Heron”. In Okinawan the name “Rohai” means “vision of the white crane”. This kata was called Meikyo by Funakoshi Sensei, and it is a Tomari-te style kata. It was taught by Matsumura, but it originated much earlier.
This is a very mysterious kata. It seems that the Japanese knew it long before Master Funakoshi introduced Okinawan Karate into Japan. There is even a Japanese legend concerning Ameratsu, the Sun Goddess, that involves this kata.
Ameratsu lost her mirror and could not admire herself. So she went into a sulk, and the world was covered in darkness. The other Gods decided something must be done, so they sent a great warrior to perform a “war dance” outside her cave. Hearing the noise, Ameratsu became curious and came out of the cave, restoring light to the world. The “war dance” was reputed to be Rohai.
This kata and its history are discussed in detail in chapter 13 of Clouds In The West by Dave Lowry.
Rohai Kata
1. Rei
2. Yoi (Feet close to heisokudachi. Fists are closed.)
3. Step the right foot out to the right into shiko dachi. At the same time, slowly perform morote soto uke. Then withdraw the hands to the hips.
4. Open the hands and thrust upwards in front of the face. The backs of the hands are touching.
5. Perform morote shuto uke in front of the shoulders.
6. Bring the left forearm over the head and the right hand, palm up, in front of the solar plexus.
7. Bring the left hand down to the left and perform hidari otoshi tetsui uke.
8. Perform migi kagizuki (hook punch) with the fingertips while withdrawing the left fist beside the chest.
9. Slowly perform hidari kake uke to the left while withdrawing the right fist beside the chest.
10. Perform migi kagizuki with the closed fist while withdrawing the left fist beside the chest.
11. Pivot on the left foot and turn 180 degrees counter clockwise into shikodachi. Slowly perform morote soto uke, then withdraw the fists to the hips.
12. Perform migi seikenzuki, then hidari seikenzuki.
13. Bring the right foot, sole up, in front of the left knee. Position the hands as in #6 above. Then pivot 180 degrees clockwise and set the right foot back into hidari neko ashi dachi while performing hidari otoshi tetsui uke.
14. Step the right foot forward into junzukidachi and perform migi junzuki chudan.
15. Turn the body to the left and bring the right foot, sole up, in front of the left knee. Position the hands as in #6 above. Then pivot 180 degrees clockwise and set the right foot back into hidari neko ashi dachi while performing hidari otoshi tetsui uke.
16. Step the right foot forward into junzukidachi and perform migi junzuki chudan.
17. Withdraw the right foot slightly and bring the fists to migi te uke. Then step the right foot forward performing yamazuki (mountain punch.) The left hand punches to the head and the right hand punches urazuki chudan.
18. Bring the right foot back into musubidachi, pivoting 180 degrees clockwise. Bring the hands into hidari te uke. Then step the left foot out and perform yamazuki. The hands are opposite from above.
19. Bring the left foot back into musubidachi, pivoting 180 degrees counter clockwise. Bring the hands into migi te uke. Then step the right foot out and perform yamazuki. The hands are the same as #17.
20. Bring the right foot back, turn 360 degrees counter clockwise setting the left foot back into migi neko ashi dachi while performing migi shuto uke.
21. Step the left foot forward into hidari neko ashi dachi and perform hidari shuto uke.
22. Turn the head and the left foot 90 degrees to the right into shikodachi while slowly performing morote soto uke. Then withdraw the fists to the hips.
23. Yame (Bring the right foot to the left into heisokudachi.)
24. Naorei
View Rohai Video
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