# Saifa

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**Saifa** (kanji:砕破, katakana:サイファ) is a *kaishugata* ([kata](/source/Kata)) of [Gōjū-ryū](/source/G%C5%8Dj%C5%AB-ry%C5%AB) karate. According to the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation, this kata is taught third,[1] after Gekisai Dai Ichi and Gekisai Dai Ni, and preceding the *heishugata* [Sanchin](/source/Sanchin). It is likewise taught third in the [Meibukan](/source/Meibukan) tradition.[2] The name is variously translated as "rip and tear",[3] "pound and pulverize",[1] or "tearing and breaking ground".[2] This name might refer to the striking techniques which prioritize closed fist strikes such as back fist or hammer fist strikes, as well as simple grabbing techniques. The origins and creator of this kata are unknown, but it has been speculated that it may have originated in Chinese styles studied by [Higaonna Kanryō](/source/Higaonna_Kanry%C5%8D), who was the teacher of [Miyagi Chojun](/source/Miyagi_Chojun), the founder of [Gōjū-ryū](/source/G%C5%8Dj%C5%AB-ry%C5%AB) karate. However, [Tōon-ryū](/source/T%C5%8Don-ry%C5%AB), the style founded by another of Higaonna's students, [Kyoda Juhatsu](/source/Kyoda_Juhatsu), does not contain Saifa, leading other sources to speculate that it may have been developed by [Miyagi Chojun](/source/Miyagi_Chojun) himself.[4][5] Saifa is also practiced by [Shito-Ryu](/source/Shito-Ryu), founded by another of Higaonna’s students, Kenwa Mabuni, and in [Kyokushin](/source/Kyokushin) karate.

## References

1. Kennedy, Kevin. ["International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Federation – Kata"](http://www.iogkf.com/resources/kata). Retrieved 2019-10-28.

1. ["IMGKA - Kata"](http://www.imgka.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid=22). *www.imgka.com*. Retrieved 2019-10-28.

1. ["The 12 Kata of Goju-Ryu"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100302161251/http://www.uchinadi-kan.org/kata/katalist.html). *www.uchinadi-kan.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.uchinadi-kan.org/kata/katalist.html) on March 2, 2010. Retrieved 2019-10-28.

1. ["04_型紹介"](http://touonryu.com/kata/). *東恩流空手道*. Retrieved 2 November 2020.

1. ["Saifa History"](https://www.gkrkarate.com/about-gkr/orange-belt-7th-kyu/saifa-history/). *GKR Karate*. Retrieved 2 November 2020.

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