Seisan十三手

Seisan (十三手, "Thirteen Hands") is one of the oldest kata in Okinawan karate and appears in multiple styles, but the Goju-ryu version — inherited through Kanryo Higashionna from the Chinese Naha-te tradition — is distinct in structure, stances and emphasis from the Shorin-ryu or Shotokan versions.

The Goju-ryu Seisan moves on a straight embusen with powerful driving attacks, combining knee-level blocks with simultaneous strikes. The kata stresses rooted, heavy movement in sanchin-dachi and shiko-dachi, and its applications involve close-range interceptions, takedowns and nerve strikes. It is taught at senior Dan grades and represents deep mastery of the Naha-te lineage.