Meaning of the name Name of a chinese Master Moves: 71

Kosokun Dai

Classification Shorin-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu / Shotokan

Level Advanced

Kosokun Dai is a work by Yasutsune Itosu. This master of Shuri-te modified or developed many old Kata. The reasons for this are unknown. However, since the new developments, such as Kosokun Dai, are significantly simpler than the original forms, this may be related to Itosu's planned publication of karate. The Kosokun Dai is called Kanku Dai in Shotokan, where Kanku means "looking toward the sky," which is derived from the opening movement of the Kata. In Shotokan, only a few technical details, particularly the stances used, were changed. The Kosokun Dai is significantly shorter than the Kushanku from which it was developed. Nevertheless, it is one of the longest Kata in karate and its execution requires a certain level of stamina. It symbolizes the fight against eight opponents. However, this does not mean that the Kata represents the simultaneous fight against eight attackers. Since the Kata teaches a wide variety of forms of attack and defense, with high and low actions, as well as attacks from the front, side and back, with many quick changes of direction, the number 8 could also be related to these attributes of the Kata. Ultimately, however, the question arises as to whether the Kosokun Dai should actually be practiced in addition to or instead of the Kushanku, especially if the Kushanku is available.

Meaning of the name Name of a chinese Master Moves: 63

Kosokun Sho

Classification Shorin-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu / Shotokan

Level Advanced

Kosokun Sho is also a work by Yasutsune Itosu. While it contains the core techniques of Kosokun Dai, it also has its own unique characteristics. The beginning of the Kata, with Morote Yoko Uke, is very interesting and actually more difficult than the beginning of Kosokun Dai. Furthermore, the Kata also contains techniques from Itosu's Rohai Sandan and the Wanshu Kata. The first jump in the middle section, performed in Shotokan's Kanku Sho, is originally performed as a body turn. However, this corresponds to the Kata's bunkai. Overall, Kosokun Sho is a very expressive Kata, and although it is shorter than Kosokun Dai, it requires just as much stamina. Its difficulty level is somewhat higher. Kosokun Sho was the preferred Kata of Chibana, a student of Itosu, whose version of the Kata, however, differs significantly. Another Kata called Shihon Kosokun is very similar to Kosokun Dai, but is performed in a sideways direction. According to Kenzo Mabuni, it is a work of his father Kenwa Mabuni.

Meaning of the name Name of a chinese Master Moves: 84

Kushanku

Classification Shorin-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Advanced

According to tradition, the Okinawan Sakugawa met the Chinese master Ku Shan Ku, also known as Ko So Kun, who accepted him as a student and taught this Kata. It is unknown whether he is also the creator of this Kata. Kushanku is a typically Chinese Kata. Very long, fast, and with acrobatic moves that require a great deal of agility. According to some masters, it takes 10 years to master this Kata. This applies not only to the physical aspects, but especially to the combative aspects. Not only the application of the technique, but also the precise knowledge of when to strike where is important. The Kata Kushanku is considered the most important Kata in Shuri-te and Tomari-te. It has been adopted, modified, and interpreted by many masters. Thus, many different versions of this Kata exist, such as Chatanyara no Kushanku, Sakugawa no Kushanku, Kuniyoshi no Kushanku, Chibana no Kushanku, and Itosu no Kushanku. The most authentic version is considered to be the version Chatanyara no Kushanku. All of these Kushanku versions are very similar, with the exception of the Chibana no Kushanku version, which shows clear influences from Kosokun Sho. Itosu no Kushanku is the basis of the Kata Kosokun Dai (Kanku Dai) and Kosokun Sho (Kanku Sho). Shiho Kosokun is also said to be a work by Itosu, as a kind of summary of the main techniques of Kosokun Dai and Kosokun Sho. However, according to Kenzo Mabuni, Shiho Kosokun is a work by Kenwa Mabuni. Various techniques allow Kushanku to be classified as belonging to the White Crane style. The Kata is also sometimes considered a Kata for "night fighting/fighting in the dark," although this is doubtful. The basis of this theory is the technique of ducking to the ground. It is assumed that this represents a kind of "emergency evasive maneuver" based on the sounds of an attack without being able to actually see it due to the darkness. Since this technique is only practiced in Kanku Dai and not in any older versions, this theory is unlikely. Many Kata are mystical. But why, for the sake of mysticism, increase the mysticism of a mystical Kata to make it even more mystical?

Meaning of the name Kings Crown Moves: 35

Matsukaze

Classification Shorei-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu

Level Basic

Matsukaze is a very powerful and dynamic Kata. Matsukaze also means "neck," and many of the Kata's techniques target the carotid artery (the main artery in the neck). Known as Matsukaze in Shito-ryu, the Kata is called Wankan in Shorin-ryu and Shotokan. However, the Shotokan Wankan differs greatly from the original version. Matsukaze is a Kata in which precise individual techniques are practiced, followed by very quickly executed combinations. Some of its techniques can also be found in Patsai. Kenwa Mabuni adapted techniques from Matsukaze to develop the Juroku Kata.

Meaning of the name Sidewise fighting 1 Moves: 27

Naifanchin Shodan

Classification Shorin-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu / Shotokan

Level Medium

Naifanchin is an ancient Chinese form. In the original it is very long and the step movements from Naifanchin Dachi to Kosa Dachi are carried out at a high speed in the Chinese original, whereas the Okinawan version practices them extremely slowly. And it is precisely this quick, lateral evasion in Kosa-Dachi that is an essential feature and fighting principle of this Kata. In Naifanchin Shodan this is performed at the beginning of the Kata in such a way that Hiza Geri is also possible. A specialty of the Kata are the Ashi Barai techniques and the lateral Morote zuki. Naifanchin Shodan is a rather short Kata. A special feature of the Kata is that all techniques are performed on both the left and right sides, training both sides of the body equally. There are many theories that attempt to explain the purpose of the purely lateral line of the Kata. Some even suspect that the Kata simulates techniques on horseback, based on the Naifanchin Dachi stance (rider's stance). However, this seems doubtful given the forward-facing (towards the horse's head?) Ura-Zuki. Another theory is that the Kata practices fighting in a confined space, with the back to a wall or a cliff, where the only way out is to move sideways. This corresponds to what is obviously practiced in the Kata. However, the fighting principle of the Kata does not necessarily have to follow the training principle. This makes it possible to perform the evasive movement not only sideways, but also diagonally. One can, so to speak, "run around" the opponent sideways. And by using this form of evasion, the fighting techniques of the Kata are incredibly effective, dynamic, and surprising.

Meaning of the name Sidewise fighting 2 Moves: 30

Naifanchin Nidan

Classification Shorin-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu / Shotokan

Level Medium

Naifanchin Nidan is somewhat shorter than Shodan; it begins with a release technique using empi. In a Chinese version, this may also be the beginning of the ancient Naifanchin, which first became known in Naha-te. In Shuri-te, it reached Anko Azato, who taught this ancient form to Gichin Funakoshi. Yasutsune Itosu developed the Kata into the forms known today: Naifanchin Shodan, Nidan, and Sanden. It is also said that the Shodan and Nidan versions originate from Sokon Matsumura. The combination of the three versions, however, is not identical to the original form. A special feature of Nidan is an Ashi- Barai form, which is practically equivalent to an Osoto-Gari from Judo. This throwing technique is extremely effective and very well suited to close combat and even competitive kumite. In fact, the Naifanchin Kata are of a very high standard and diverse in their combative content. Interpreting it exclusively as "fighting sideways, with your back to the wall" is like perceiving only one tree in the forest. Naifanchin Shodan was the favored Kata of Choki Motobu, one of Okinawa's most famous fighters. Regarding the original version, there is evidence that it was known to Kenei Mabuni.

Meaning of the name Sidewise fighting 3 Moves: 35

Naifanchin Sandan

Classification Shorin-Ryu

Style Shito Ryu / Shotokan

Level Medium

Naifanchin Sandan is the longest and most demanding of the three Kata. It contains difficult technical combinations. At the beginning of the Kata, eight arm techniques are performed in rapid succession, with the stance (Naifanchin Dachi) unchanged. This, combined with the required special hip movement, is of a high technical standard. Another characteristic is the circular techniques that utilize the shoulder joint and generate considerable centrifugal force. Indeed, the three Naifanchin Kata as a whole comprise a very demanding and versatile, complete fighting system. All that is known about the origin of the original version is that the Chinese master Ason is said to have brought it to Naha-te in Okinawa. These three Kata were adopted into Shotokan virtually unchanged. Only the Naifanchin Dachi stance, which is only slightly wider than shoulder width and rather higher, yet offers considerable stability and responsiveness, was replaced by Kiba-Dachi, which, however, does not correspond to the combative principle of the Kata.