Karate Goju Ryu - Saifa

"To Smash and Tear to Pieces"
Saifa is the first of the classical combative Kata taught in Goju-Ryu. Kanryo Higaonna Sensei was taught this Kata, along with the other Kata of Goju-Ryu, while he studied in China from 1863-1881 under the direction of RuRuKo and others. These Kata and martial strategies would become the basis of the martial art that Miyagi Sensei would eventually call Goju-Ryu. From an understanding of the grappling and striking techniques of this Kata, Saifa can be interpreted to mean grabbing and tearing of tissue in close-quartered combat.