Ku Shanku Kata - Instructional
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A Karate Kata created by Sakugawa-Kanga and named after the famous Chinese Shaolin
martial-artist, Kung-Hsiang-Chung (Kung-Shian-Chun, Kun-Shang-Kwan), who visited
Okinawa in 1762. Later developed by the Shorin-ryu school of Okinawa. Known also as
Kosokun, Ku-sanku, Ku-sankun, and Kanku.
Ku - public, prince, official, governmental
Shu - mutual, together, each other, minister of state, councillor
Kun – old boy, name-suffix
Kusan (or Kushu, sometimes Kosho) translates as ‘foreign attaché’ or similar government
official. In many historical references, Kusanku is said to be the name of a Chinese sailor who
taught tote in Okinawan in 1756. It is likely that the Kata is based on his teachings, or perhaps
a Kata that he taught while in Okinawa. Many Shorin lineage styles include a version of
Kusanku and most are fairly similar. Funakoshi Gichin renamed this Kata and Shotokan
lineages call the Kata Kanku, which translates as ‘To View the Sky’ (this name is in reference
to the opening move in Kusanku). However, in Wado Kata Ku-Shanku the opening moves
reflect Ten-Chi-Jin, which in Okinawan translates to 'Heaven and Earth power'. Ten-Chi-Jin
refers to the ability embody and harness the universal energy towards the Tanden. Chito-ryu
Kusanku looks very similar to many other versions of Kusanku at the beginning (opening the
arms wide followed by 2 open handed blocks), but otherwise is very different from other
versions.
Ku-Shanku Dachi-waza.
Yohi, hidari-mahanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidari-jodan-haishu-uke), draw up, migi-mahanmino-neko-ashi-dachi (migi-jodan-haishu-uke), draw back, hachi-ji-dachi (shizen-hon-tai) (hidarigedan-barai, migi-choku-tsuki-chudan), slide to the left, hidari-naname-no-heiko-dachi (migijodan-soto-uke), slide back, hachi-ji-dachi (hidari-choku-tsuki-chudan), slide to the right, miginaname-no-heiko-dachi (hidari-jodan-soto-uke), left-leg slides up half-way, twist, transition
stance (similar foot position to that of migi-tate-seishan-dachi) (migi-jodan-soto-uke, migimaegeri-chudan), twist, hidari-mahanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidari-jodan-shuto-uke), migimahanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (migi-jodan-shuto-uke), hidari-mahanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi
(hidari-jodan-shuto-uke), migi-junzuki-dachi (migi-tate-yonhon-nukite), turn, hidari-gyakuzukitsukkomi-dachi (migi-te-no-hira-uke, maegeri-chudan), hidari-ura-gamae (hidari-gedan-barai,
migi-tsuki), hachi-ji-dachi (hidari-yoko-tetsui-uchi), hidari-gyakuzuki-tsukkomi-dachi (migi-teno-hira-uke, maegeri-chudan), hidari-kokutsu-dachi (hidari-gedan-barai, migi-tsuki), hachi-jidachi
(hidari-yoko-tetsui-uchi), twist, heisoku-dachi (left arm draws back in preparation, hidari
gedan-barai/maegeri-chudan), hidari-gyakuzuki-dachi (gyaku-empi-uchi-chudan), draw up,
heisoku-dachi (right arm draws back in preparation, migi-gedan-barai/maegeri-chudan), migigyakuzuki-dachi (gyaku-empi-uchi-chudan), turn, hidari-ma-hanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidarijodan-shuto-uke), migi-mahanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (migi-jodan-shuto-uke), migi-mahanmino-neko-ashi-dachi (migi-jodan-shuto-uke), hidari-ma-hanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidarijodan-shuto-uke), twist, hidari-gyakuzuki-tsukkomi-dachi (migi-te-no-hira-uke, migi-maegerichudan),
migi-gyaku-neko-ashi-dachi (hidari-otoshi-uke, uraken-uchi-tate-mawashi-jodan),
slide back, migi-junzuki-dachi (migi-soto-uke-jodan, renzuki-chudan (left & right punch)), turn,
hidari-junzuki-dachi (left hand open/right hand clenched in preparation), both hands meet as
knee raises (contacting the sides of the knee on the way through), drop body to ground, raise
into hidari-ma-hanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidari-jodan-shuto-uke), migi-ma-hanmi-no-nekoashi-dachi (migi-jodan-shuto-uke), turn, hidari-mashomen-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidari-jodansoto-uke, migi-choku-tsuki-chudan), twist, migi-mashomen-no-neko-ashi-dachi (migi-sotouke-jodan, hidari-choku-tsuki, renzuki-chudan,), twist, (migi-soto-uke-jodan/maegeri-chudan),
hidari-mahanmi-no-neko-ashi-dachi (hidari-jodan-shuto-uke), twist the body to perform the
step forward, junzuki-dachi (hidari-otoshi-shotei-uke (right hand placed on top in preparation
for spear-hand)), step, migi-junzuki-dachi (migi-tate-yonhon-nukite/hidari-osae-uke), turn/twist, shiko-ashi-dachi (yoko-tetsui-uchi), slide, hachi-ji-dachi (otoshi-uraken-uchi), slide,
hidari-gyakuzuki-dachi (migi-gyaku-empi-uchi), twist, hachi-ji-dachi (migi-gedan-barai/hidarijodan-soto-uke), turn, shiko-ashi-dachi (hidari-gedan-sukui-uke/migi-jodan-soto-uke, migigedan-sukui-uke, jodan-shuto-juji-uke), twist, migi-junzuki-dachi (otoshi-tetsui-uchi, nidangeri),
migi-junzuki-dachi (otoshi-uraken-uchi-tate-mawashi), turn, drop then rise in; han-shikoashi-dachi (awase-sukui-uke), yamae.