Hangetsu
Half Moon
Kata History
Hangetsu
is a Kata believed to come from the Wutang School.
Master Itosu is credited with introducing the Kata to Master Funakoshi; hence it found it's way into Shotokan.
The Kata revolves around the Hangetsu Dachi, a stance noted for it's effectiveness against groin kicks (Kin Geri).
The movements are performed slowly up to the first Kiai,
with strong emphasis on Kime
(tensing and relaxing). From the point of view of more mature (older!) students, Hangetsu
is a good Kata because it does not require the suppleness of youth to complete it!
Master Funakoshi expected the Kata to take around one minute to complete. However, modern-day Masters (such as Sensei Randall) record much longer times (reference: A Shotokan Karate Book of Facts Vol. I).
The Moves
The Kata exercises the following moves and stances, in sequence, and takes up to 110 seconds to complete at high speed (see Kata History
above). The embusen of the Kata is a cross.
| Count | Move | Stance |
| Rei | Musubi Dachi | |
| Yoi | Uchi Hachiji Dachi | |
| 1 | Hidari Chudan Uchi Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 2 | Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 3 | Migi Chudan Uchi Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 4 | Hidari Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 5 | Hidari Chudan Uchi Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 6 | Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 7 | Morote Yoko Ken Ate | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 8 | Morote Ippon Ken | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 9 | Kaisho Yama Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 10 | Ryowan Gedan Shuto Uke (KIAI) | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 11 | Kaisho Kosa Uke (Hidari Seiryuto Uke, Migi Haito Uke) | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 12 | Migi Tsukami Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 13 | Kaisho Kosa Uke (Migi Seiryuto Uke, Hidari Haito Uke) | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 14 | Hidari Tsukami Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 15 | Kaisho Kosa Uke (Hidari Seiryuto Uke, Migi Haito Uke) | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 16 | Hidari Tsukami Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 17 | Migi Chudan Uchi Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 18 | Hidari Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 19 | Migi Chudan Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 20 | Hidari Chudan Uchi uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 21 | Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 22 | Hidari Chudan Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 23 | Migi Chudan Uchi Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 24 | Hidari Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 25 | Migi Chudan Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 26 | Hidari Engetsu Uke | (N/A) |
| 27 | Hidari Chudan Uraken Uchi | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 28 | Hanmi Sachi Ashi | (N/A) |
| 29 | Hidari Mae Geri / Hidari Hikite | (N/A) |
| 30 | Hidari Gedan Bari | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 31 | Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 32 | Hidari Age Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 33 | Migi Engetsu Uke | (N/A) |
| 34 | Migi Chudan Uraken Uchi | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 35 | Hanmi Sachi Ashi | (N/A) |
| 36 | Migi Mae Geri / Migi Hikitae | (N/A) |
| 37 | Migi Gedan Barai | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 38 | Hidari Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 39 | Migi Age Uke | Hangetsu Dachi |
| 40 | Hidari Engetsu Uchi | (N/A) |
| 41 | Chudan Uraken Uchi | Kokutsu Dachi |
| 42 | Migi Mikazuki Geri (KIAI) | (N/A) |
| 43 | Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki | Zenkutsu Dachi |
| 44 | Taisho Awase Gedan Uke | Neko Ashi Dachi |
| Yame | Uchi Hachiji Dachi | |
| Rei | Musubi Dachi |