Kanku Kata

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KANKU

Previous names :

Koshokun, Kushanku, Kwanku and Shankyu

Meaning of kata :

Kwanku means 'to view the heavens' and Kanku means 'to view the sky', 'watching the sky' or 'to look at the sky'

Origins of kata :

The kata now comes in two forms, Kanku Dai and Kanku Sho. Dai being the major version and Sho the lesser or minor version.

The original Kushanku relates to Kanku Dai. Kanku Sho was created in more recent times by Master Itosu.

The kata originates from Shuri-te and it is believed that the Chinese Military Attache to Okinawa, Kume Mura Kong-Shang (Kushanku to the Okinawans) taught the kata under the name Kwanku to his students Tode Sakagawa and Yari.

This kata was a favourite of Sensei Funakoshi who would ofetn use it to demonstrate the art of karate.

Practised by :

Shotokan, Shorin Ryu, Shito Ryu and Wado Ryu.