Suparinpei

The Last Kata of Goju-Ryu Karate

An illustrated step-by-step guide to the structure, themes, and techniques of Suparinpei–the last kata of Goju-ryu.

Suparinpei, or Pechurin, is the highest and most difficult kata in the Goju-ryu system of Okinawan karate. Its performance has long been reserved for high-level practitioners, its history and applications obscured by misunderstanding and misinterpretation.

In this indispensable manual by experienced master Giles Hopkins, readers will learn the skills, techniques, and bunkai of this little-understood kata, step by step. Suparinpei explores the initial receiving, bridging, controlling, and lethal finishing techniques in sequence, and offers illustrations of both the applications and movements of Suparinpei. Hopkins questions conventional interpretations of kata movements, suggesting instead that there is only one originally intended application for each move in kata, and that each is to be understood in sequence and not as isolated components. This strict interpretation of kata movements reveals not only realistic self-defense executions, but also potentially the original intent of kata.

EXPERT AUTHOR: Giles Hopkins is the author of The Kata and Bunkai of Goju-Ryu Karate (NAB, 2018, LTD: 1,582) and Wandering Along the Way of Okinawan Karate (NAB, 2020). He has practiced martial arts since 1973 and holds black belt rankings in a number of styles, as well as sixth-degree rankings and a teacher’s certificate in Okinawan Goju-ryu.

MASTER-LEVEL SKILL: This kata is considered the most difficult and advanced in Okinawan Karate. Most books do not include this kata or they misinterpret how it should be done.

NICHE AUDIENCE: This book is highly targeted to an advanced level of martial arts practitioner looking to expand and deepen their Goju-ryu knowledge.