Historical records are not available to substantiate the lineage of most of Isshinryu’s katas. However, according to Master Shoshin Nagamine and Master Morio Higaonna, Wansu Kata is named after a Chinese military envoy named Wanshu. He was sent to the Torari village around 1683. Wanshu taught Chinese Kempo to the village people. His martial expertise inspired his followers to combine the best of his teachings into the kata we know as Wansu. His teachings were passed on to Karate Sakugawa, who taught Chokun Macabe, who is believed to have developed the kata practiced today. Chokun Macabe taught Kosaku Matsumora who taught Maeda Peichin who taught Chotoku Kyan. Kyan taught the kata to Tatsuo Shimabuku. Wansu Kata is of the Tomari-Te lineage. This Tomari-Te form was eventually included in Shorin-Ryu.
Wansu is known as the “Dumping Form” which relates to its easily recognized throw. This kata blends fluid movement and lightning fast technique to create a lethal dance that is effective in kata competition or on the street. Wansu provides graceful lines while delivering thunderous striking power. The kata introduces the student to some new concepts. These include slipping punches, using the cat stance to step back out of harms way, cross punches, and side stepping. Wansu is popular in other styles and is called “Empi” in Shotokan. One translation for “Empi” is swallow, which was reputed to be a nickname for Sappushi Wanshu. The lethal techniques of this kata more closely resemble those of a falcon than a swallow. At any rate, Wansu is a marvelous combination of beauty, grace, and power. It ranks as a favorite among kyus and dans.
The opening moves of Wansu are unique to Isshinryu’s katas. The signature of the kata moves smoothly into a covered fist posture. Wansu is reputed to have a hidden punch and many believe it is located at this point. Wansu is common to many styles of karate and although there is a hidden punch in some of the Wansus of other styles, there is no hidden punch in Isshinryu’s version of Wansu. This opening move signifies contact. A touching or grabbing move in which you gain control of your opponent. Wansu contains many Kyusho-Jutsu and Tuite techniques just as it contains more than the one throwing technique. For the first time, students are introduced to the concept of grabbing an opponent’s obi or clothing and pulling him into a punch. This type of move is repeated in other katas, but this is usually the first time this concept is introduced.
Wansu Kata employs a wide range of stances. These include Sho Zenkutsu dachi, Nekoashi Dachi, and Soto Hachiji dachi. Techniques used in the kata include: open hand blocks, a pair of knee smashes, grabbing techniques, elbow strikes, two side kicks, simultaneous open hand strikes to the sides, and sidestepping evasive moves. Slip your opponent’s attacks, then counter attack is the general theme for this kata. The term for the pattern that a kata makes on the floor is called “Embusen.” The embusen for this kata forms a cross pattern on the floor.
