According to oral testimony, Higaonna Kanryo Sensei was known by the nickname ashi no To’nna meaning ‘legs Higaonna’. This was apparently due to his exceptional kicking ability and quick footwork.
Whilst this is fairly common knowledge amoung Goju practitioners, I’ve yet to come accross anybody who has been able to offer any detailed information about what it was that was so exceptional about Higaonna Sensei’s kicks?
In the Goju Ryu system, our kicks are simple and direct. With the exception of furi geri in Suparinpei, none of the kicks come above the waist, and they are all linear, utilizing a quick pull back after the kick has struck its target.
Mr Mario Mckenna wrote the following on his blog regarding his experiences in To’on Ryu;
I was particularly intrigued by the kicking techniques found in the kata. No snapping kicks at all. All low thrusts, stomps, or straight legged kicks similar tho those found in Kung Fu styles.
My knowledge of the To’on Ryu is extremely limited, and the majority of my information about it comes from Mckenna Sensei’s writing. To’on Ryu is the school founded by Kyoda Juhatsu who was Miyagi Chojun’s sempai training under Higaonna Kanryo. The To’on Ryu system practices sanchin, seisan, sanseiru and pechurrin as are also found in the kata of Goju Ryu.
According to some sources, the methods followed in To’on Ryu may be closer to those originally taught by Higaonna Kanryo. If this is the case then it would appear from the above source that the kicking methods of Higaonna Kanryo Sensei may have included mostly low straight legged kicking techniques with no snap back.
It is also interesting to note for followers of the jundokan that this is the kicking method favoured by Taira Masaji sensei with regards to the bunkai.
The legacy of Higaonna Kanryo Sensei can be found in the methods preserved in the Goju Ryu and the To’on Ryu respectively. It is through a study of these methods that we may be able to catch a glimpse of what it was that was so special about Ashi no To’onna.
If anybody knows of any information relating to the kicking and footwork methods of Higaonna Sensei, I would be very interested to hear from you.
Gambatte!
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