Kusanku
Meaning: The name of a Chinese Diplomat. It also is said to mean “To view the sky”.
History: It is believed that this kata is named after a Chinese Diplomat who lived in Okinawa sometime around 1761 and taught or demonstrated his techniques to Karate Sakugawa. There is a wide variety of versions of this kata. Many don’t even recognize each other. It is believed that Kusanku taught other students after Sakugawa. Therefore many authors believe that other students of Kusanku also created a kata out of respect for his teachings. Karate Sakugawa created the from Kusanku also out of respect for the teachings of his instructor. Bushi Matsumura learned the form from Sakugawa. It is believed that he farther developed the version that we run today. It is also believed that Yonamine Chiru (Bushi Matsumura’s wife), had a heavy influence on the development of this kata. This is support by the hidden techniques of using a hair pin that are taught in Kusanku. Kusanku is the longest form that we practice. It is believe that Itosu created the Pinan kata from the techniques taught to students in Kusanku. Master Soken was quoted as saying that this Kusanku is the most important form in our system. As a student of Nabe Matsumura, Master Soken used to work this form with hair pins hidden in his hands.
What to Get Out of This Kata: Kusanku teaches students a wide variety of techniques. The opening of this form is said to have taught students how to hide a hair pin in their right hand. It teaches how to shift the weight from side to side to add that power into a block or a strike. There is a trapping technique taught at the beginning that breaks the arm. Kusanku teaches how to trap the arm and then break it with a jumping technique. Kusanku teaches to move off angle, and how to block when moving off angle. It teaches students how to keep the weight back as they move forward to strike or block. When this kata is run at full strength, it can create great endurance for its practitioners.