Hana no Seinen

花の生年：はなのせいねん

Required for 7th kyu yellow belt

Meaning 'Flower of Youth', Hana no Seinen is actually the Japanese translation of the Korean name for this kata: Hwarang. In Korean, the kata is named for the famous group of warriors of the same name. The Hwarang were founded in Korea by the 24th king of Silla (c. 540 AD). Members of the Hwarang underwent martial and academic education lasting 10 years, during which time they studied culture, art, patriotism, Buddhism, science, and all forms of combat, and spent extensive time training in the wilderness, swimming rapids, climbing mountains, and meditating. Their fighting style incorporated the native Korean art of foot fighting called Soo-Bak, and added hand techniqes based on Chinese influences, calling the new fighting method Tae Kyon. Legend has it that their punches could penetrate the wooden armor of an enemy and kill him, and their foot techniques were so fast that their enemies thought the feet of the Hwarang soldiers were swords. As a result of the martial prowess of the Hwarang, the kingdom of Silla, smallest of the three kingdoms, conquered the other two Korean kingdoms in 660 AD and 668 AD, unifying all of Korea under its rule, which lasted until the kingdom of Koryo came to power in 918 AD.

This kata is significantly more complex and demanding than the previous two, and practice outside of class is necessary to obtain proficiency. Hana no Seinen incorporates the stance shifts of the previous kata, but incorporates movement along the diagonal, spinning techniques, and some very difficult movements requiring precise upper/lower body coordination and timing. Many students anticipate Hana no Seinen as their first "real" kata, so care must be taken not to let them practice this kata at the expense of the fundamental skills taught by the previous two.

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