There’s something satisfying about peeling back the layers of a kata—tracing its roots, understanding why it evolved the way it did, and ultimately, figuring out what it’s trying to teach us. But it’s even better when you see how it all fits into the bigger picture.
Jion is one such kata. It’s a name that immediately conjures a certain kind of reverence—a sense of dignity, calmness, and restraint. But why? Where does it fit into our history?
If we go back to the years following the Ryūkyū Disposition, we find ourselves in a period of transformation. The old ways weren’t just under scrutiny—they were at risk of being lost altogether. The martial arts we had once trained in secret were now stepping into the public eye, and Itosu was the one leading the charge.
By the time Karate entered the Okinawan school system in 1901, Ankō had already been working on something new. Something scalable. Something that could be taught en masse without losing the essence of our training. It was during this time that the Pinan series was born, a structured set of forms designed to introduce students to the fundamentals in a way that could be replicated and standardized.
Jion was developed around this same time. Not a battlefield kata like some of the older ones, but one that embodied a shift in thinking—a kata designed not just for combat but for teaching control, poise, and an understanding of when not to fight.
Ankō himself had once explained it best:
“Jion doesn’t feel like a battlefield kata because it’s not meant to be. Not every fight starts with fists swinging. Some of the more dangerous conflicts I’ve been in were fought with words and gestures. Jion wasn’t about going for the win at all costs. It was about positioning, and choosing when—not if—you need to fight.”
This kata wasn’t simply a holdover from a bygone era—it was a message in a bottle, sealed with every lesson Ankō had fought to preserve.
The Shift from Tōde to Karate
This change didn’t sit well with everyone. Those who had trained in the old way, the way of Tōde, saw the modifications and scoffed. They thought the new curriculum was a dilution, a softening of what had once been fierce and raw.
This wasn’t about changing for the sake of change. It was about survival—not just of techniques, but of the culture itself. Karate couldn’t remain locked behind closed doors, taught in secret to a select few. It had to adapt, to become something that could outlast us.
Ankō understood this. When he asked Asato to document the names, addresses, and abilities of Okinawa’s martial artists, it wasn’t just about preserving the past—it was about securing the future. A future where the martial arts weren’t just practiced, but passed on.
That’s why Jion matters. Not just as a kata, but as a philosophy.
Jion, the Spirit of Karate, and JDK USA in Schenectady NY
JDK’s Schenectady seminar 2024 was nothing short of electric—a fusion of sweat, skill, and strategy that brought the JDK Method to life. To everyone who participated, thank you. Your commitment, curiosity, and intensity turned this event into something truly special.
This seminar highlight both Bassai Dai and Jion, but wasn’t just about techniques—it was about training for the inevitable. It was about refining not just how we move, but why we move the way we do. For more information see joongdokwan.com.
Here are some key takeaways from the weekend:
🔹 Beyond Technique: Anticipating the Opposition
JDK isn’t about collecting fancy techniques—it’s about preparing for the fight that’s coming. We train for opposition, contingencies, and workarounds. A technique is only useful if it accounts for resistance.
🔹 Unveiling the Hidden Layers of Tradition
Kata isn’t just choreography—it’s a tactical playbook. We dissected, tested, and pressure-checked movements to ensure they hold up under realistic conditions. This isn’t about abandoning tradition; it’s about making it functionally relevant in the modern world.
🔹 Shield or Springboard? Using the Enemy as a Tool
Sometimes, the attacker hands you an advantage—you just have to know how to take it. We explored how to redirect momentum, using an opponent’s own force as either a shield or a springboard to control the fight, create space, or set up a decisive counter.
🔹 Ground Force: Kinetic Chaining for Devastating Power
Striking isn’t about isolated limbs—it’s about harnessing the whole body. We trained to generate force from the ground up, connecting movements efficiently to maximize power. Imagine striking not just with your hand, but with the weight of the entire planet behind you.
This seminar wasn’t just about refining skills—it was about rethinking the way we approach martial arts. To everyone who attended, you now carry these lessons forward. Train hard, stay sharp, and keep pushing the boundaries of what you know.
See you at the next one!
The above is a behind-the-scenes look at Colin’s latest historical fiction novel titled “The Lost Scrolls of Ryūkyū.” Stay tuned for further updates. While you wait, perhaps check out the article “In Okinawa, an independence movement finds an unlikely ally.“
