Ku Shanku Kata - Practicing
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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 In many historical references, Kusanku is said to be the name of a Chinese sailor who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.
For more information please view the Ku Shanku Instructional Video page.