Honna Ku
Meaning: "Light from the South" or "Peace from the South", this kata is also called Ananku
History: This kata is considered to be a Tomari-te kata. It was introduced to Okinawa by Chotoku Kyan sometime in the late 19th century, early 20th century. It is believed that Kyan brought this kata back from either China or Taiwan. This kata is found in a play that is performed every year in Okinawa. This kata is taught at the blue belt level (6th Kyu).
What to Get Out of This Kata: This kata will help to improve the speed and effectiveness of students’ strikes, blocks, and kicks. It will help to teach hip rotation and how to shift towards or away from an opponent. A student will learn how to effectively shift the weight into a strike and into a block. Students will learn to attack and defend on angles rather then a straight line symmetry. Students learn how to shift their weight forward without letting the opponent know.