Tensho is a

kata ''Kata'' is a Japanese word ( 型 or 形) meaning "form". It refers to a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements. It can also be reviewed within groups and in unison when training. It is practiced in Japanese martial arts ...

originating from Goju Ryu

karate (; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ), also , is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tī'' in Okinawan) un ...

. Translated, it means "revolving hands", "rotating palms", or "turning palms." This kata emphasizes the soft aspects of Goju Ryu, and encompasses continuous, flowing movements. Tensho, along with its harder counterpart sanchin, was developed by Goju ryu founder Chojun Miyagi from earlier Chinese forms. Tensho may be a variant of the Southern Chinese

Kung Fu Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to with umbrella terms Kung fu (term), kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (sport), wushu (), are Styles of Chinese martial arts, multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater Ch ...

form Rokkishu. Tensho was created in 1921 as "softer sanchin" by Chojun Miyagi to balance Go aspect of Heishugata (Sanchin-kata) with Ju variation for Heishugata. It combines hard dynamic tension with deep breathing and soft flowing hand movements. Some styles call it Rokkishu and it was created from some movements taken from Hakutsuru, although more careful analysis suggests that it might be Miyagi's personal interpretation of Kakuha-kata that was in Higashionna's syllabus but is omitted in Gōjū-ryū now.

References

Karate kata {{karate-stub