Introduced to GKR students at Sandan (3rd dan) along with Seisan. The rhythm of this kata is slow, deliberate movements interspersed with dynamic outbursts of speed. This kata is very unique as it is the only Go-Kan-Ryu kata that utilizes the long fudo-datchi (rooted or immovable stance) in place of a zenkutsu-datchi (long forward stance).
While GKR’s two Sandan kata (Seisan and Sochin) both hail from Naha (in Okinawa) and were once quite similar, the way they are practised today sees them vastly different in style and technique (see history of Sochin). Seisan is the typical Naha-te (or later Goju) style kata with its use of shorter stances (predominantly Sanchin), close-in fighting techniques and slower tempo. Sochin in contrast is a typical Shuri-te, Tomari-te (or later Shotokan) style kata with long, deep stances (primarily using fudo-datchi – immovable stance). While it contains slower movements, its pace is generally fast and dynamic.
Despite their obvious differences, their senjutsu are quite similar in the fact that each kata promotes constant forward movement irrespective of whether one is striking, blocking, wrestling, locking up etc. This is illustrated very clearly in the opening sequence of Sochin, where, like Seisan, it practices consistent forward movements with slow deliberate techniques while keeping the core muscles tense.
Sochin Videos
Performed by Lachlan Carr (National titles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEgMlQ6rEF0&frags=pl%2Cwn
Performed by Solomon Adams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZGF4EfnMM0&frags=pl%2Cwn
Performed by Lachlan Carr (World Cup)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDhgRbhRQIk&t=41s&frags=pl%2Cwn
