Kusanku
Kusanku was a military envoy from China that was sent to Okinawa around 1756. Kusanku was a highly skilled Kempo master that was known for his amazing fighting abilities throughout the oriental area. Kusanku was able to instruct many Okinawans in the Chinese ways of fighting. Kusanku’s two most famous students were Karate Sakugawa and Chatan Yara. While no documentation exists that tells who Kusanku learned his system from, legends tell that it was a Shaolin Monk, who lived and trained in the Shaolin Temple. Kusanku is credit with the creation of the “chamber.” He taught all of his students to hold one hand in a fist at the side of the body in what we today call a “chambered position.” From this position, Kusanku taught his students to corkscrew the fist on impact creating more power, and a more devastating blow to your opponent. Many historians credit Kusanku as the most innovative and influence karate master of all times. Kusanku later returned to China, roughly in 1762, when his diplomatic mission had been fulfilled. The main teachings of Kusanku can be seen in the Shuri-te kata, Kusanku.