| In 1756 a Chinese military envoy named Kusanku was sent to Okinawa. He was a skilled Kempo master famous for his fighting skills. Although Kusanku never taught this kata, his best techniques were combined into this kata by his followers. There are two main lineages for the kata called Chatan Yara No Kusanku and Sakugawa No Kusanku. Sakugawa No Kusanku was developed by Karate Sakugawa based on his instruction from Kusanku. Sakugawa taught this version to Soken “Bushi” Matsumura. This lineage was further divided into two other forms of the kata, Kusanku Dai and Kusanku Sho. Chatan Yara developed his own version based on his training with Kusanku. He instructed Yara Peichin who in turn instructed Chotoku Kyan. Tatsuo Shimabuku learned this kata from Kyan. Kusanku kata is considered part of the Shuri-Te lineage and may be interpreted to mean “To view the sky.” |
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| Kusanku is a very long and complex kata. It is the longest Shuri-Te kata. It utilizes speed techniques executed at many levels including ground, kneeling, standing, and flying double straight forward kicks. It uses a variety of techniques including: deception with a foot stomp at the beginning of the kata, a flying crescent kick, twisting and evasive techniques, kneeling blocks, kneeling elbow strikes, simultaneous back fist and front kick, palm heel blocks, simultaneous palm heel strikes, and a twisting shuto strike. There are several stance shifts executed swiftly throughout the kata. The deceptive maneuvers employed by this kata may be because this kata was thought to be performed at night against numerous opponents. The stances include seisan, cat, crane seiuchin, and zen kutsu dachi. There are two kias, one just before the first kneeling elbow strike and one just before the last elbow strike. |
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| There are many interesting similarities between Kusanku and Chinto Kata. Both katas use a rapid shift to a kosa dachi stance. This is the cornerstone
for Chinto Kata, but it’s interesting to see this same shift repeated so many times in Kusanku. |
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| Kusanku Kata is one of Isshinryu’s most difficult to perform. The transition from its kneeling stances back to upright are difficult to perform with balance and grace while delivering the next technique with power. In addition, this kata contains a stretched out hiding posture on the floor which is difficult for most students. Kusanku is further complicated by a flying double front kick which all but the finest of athletes will find difficult to execute with good form. |
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| Master Shimabuku used Kusanku Kata as the foundation for one of Isshinryu’s weapons katas called Kusanku Sai. This kata is unique to Isshinryu
and the movements are almost identical to Kusanku Kata except sais are used to do the blocks, punches and other strikes. Master Shimabuku did two versions of this kata. The earlier version of the kata contained all the kicks, and later he removed the kicks. |
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 View Kusanku Kata |
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