Kanku
Introduction
Kanku is a long, advanced northern Kyokushin kata, related to forms called Kankū-dai and historically Kūsankū/Kūshankū. It combines stances, open hands, nukite, elbows, kicks, jumps and low positions. Its large movements and symbolism serve technical control between stillness and power, high and low, circular control and direct attack. The opening hand shape underlies the Kyokushin Kanku symbol. This teaching sequence has 60 main counts.
Historical background
The northern grouping links Kanku to Shuri-te, Shōrin-ryū and Oyama’s training under Gichin Funakoshi. Traditional accounts connect Kūsankū/Kūshankū with a Chinese person or diplomat influential in Okinawan karate; this is a traditional account. Shotokan used the name Kankū, “contemplating the sky”. Oyama incorporated and adapted the form to Kyokushin’s strength, stability, kime and practical expression. It unites that heritage with technical breadth and mental clarity.
Name and meaning
Kanku / Kankū (観空) means looking at or contemplating the sky or space. Kan conveys observing; kū means sky, emptiness or space. Pedagogically the name opens attention beyond one’s own body. Thumbs and index fingers form an opening through which the gaze rises towards the sky, gathering body, mind and breath. Galaz Dojo uses Kanku consistently.
Place in the system
Group: northern / advanced kata. Level: dan / advanced. First establish basic and advanced stances, especially Kokutsu, Sanchin, Zenkutsu, Kiba, Moroashi, Nekoashi and Kake; open hands, nukite, elbows, high kicks, jumps and low landings; endurance, embusen, kiai and zanshin. The test is sustained quality through a long form, controlled 90°/180°/270° turns, protected ryōte-fuse landings and repeated Kiba nukite sequences.
Technical character
The expansive form moves from Kanku kamae into blocks, thrusts, kicks, elbows, descents, jumps, throw-like actions, nukite and low closing techniques. Preserve contrasts between stillness/explosion, high/low, open hand/seiken, kick/hand, circular/linear action and sustained concentration/short kime. The varied stances and large embusen demand technical endurance without losing the purpose of individual movements.
Embusen
Track side and main lines, 90°, 180° and 270° turns, forward/backward travel, jumps, low landings, Kiba/Moroashi sections and Kake transitions. Check preparation, Kanku opening, initial Kokutsu and Sanchin, advancing shuto, Zenkutsu nukite/shuto/punches, kick/elbow groups, Moroashi, Kake, ryōte-fuse, Kiba nukite, Tai otoshi, low final block/counter and return to Musubi. Gaze precedes technical completion; no extra adjustment steps.
Technical diagram
Diagram unavailable: The embusen diagram described in the source is absent from this edition. Follow the directions and movement sequence in the text.
Use the movement sequence as the technical reference for order and direction. It does not replace instruction in stance, footwork, hips, gaze, hand structure or breathing.
Stances
Fudō-dachi: start/finish. Musubi-dachi: mokusō and return after 60. Yoi-dachi / Heikō-dachi: ibuki preparation and starting base. Kokutsu-dachi: rear-weighted circular shuto, especially 2–3, 6–8 and 37. Sanchin-dachi: compact breathing/body gathering in 4–5, 18–19 and 38–39, without stiffness. Zenkutsu-dachi: forward nukite, shuto, kicks and double punches; do not shorten after kicking. Kiba-dachi: stable active lateral Jun tsuki, Haishu, nukite and closing work. Moroashi-dachi: short, directed, active steps in 20–26 with double low shuto and Oi tsuki; not overlong. Nekoashi-dachi: transition in 32 before a lateral lunge to Kake. Kake-dachi: stable landings in 32 and 34 carrying lateral technique and Gyaku tsuki. Stance and technique complete together.
Principal techniques
- Kanku kamae, in 1 and 40, gathers gaze, body and breath; Shutō hizō uchi completes it clearly against the left palm. Shutō mawashi uke: structured circular control in Kokutsu.
- Seiken uchi uke / Seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki: one centred block/counter in Sanchin, connected to hips and hikite. Shōtei osae uke / Chūdan mae yonhon nukite, 9: left-hand control opens/supports the line for directed middle nukite and kiai.
- Shutō ganmen uchi: directed face-line strike after 180° turns. Jōdan mae geri / Nihon seiken chūdan tsuki, 11 and 13: recovered kick and connected two-punch sequence.
- Jōdan yoko geri / Uraken yoko jōdan uchi, Uraken ganmen uchi, Hiji jōdan ate / Hiji oroshi ate: coordinated kick/hand and close elbow combinations, with active Waki no kamae, controlled recovery and body-driven downward elbows.
- Shutō morote gedan barai / Seiken chūdan oi tsuki: low control and forward pressure in Moroashi, coordinating advance and knee lift. Seiken chūdan jun tsuki: stable lateral Kiba attack.
- Tettsui chūdan yoko uchi / Seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki: gathered lateral combination in Kake. Chūdan haishu uke, 33: slow, aligned with gaze. Mikazuki geri uke / Teisoku mawashi geri uke, 34: kicking block into the open hand.
- Ryōte-fuse, 35: protected low landing after a jump; the landing is the technical purpose. The low work also includes Shutō ushiro morote gedan barai and Seiken uchi uke / gedan barai.
- Shōtei gedan mawashi uke / Kake jōdan uke: hooking or controlling an arm; Kake with ibuki is controlled, not a hand circle. Yoko chūdan yonhon nukite / Mae chūdan yonhon nukite dominate 41–56, with clear hand shape, line and readiness.
- Tai otoshi, 57 and 59: grip, pull and body turn expressing a throw or balance-breaking principle. Seiken gedan barai / Seiken gedan gyaku tsuki, 58 and 60: clear downward control and low counter with kiai. Ibuki, hikite and zanshin support the entire form.
Start and finish
Begin Fudō-dachi facing shinden. Mokusō: Musubi-dachi, gathering body and mind. On Kanku, open the eyes according to dojo standard. Yoi: slow ibuki into Heikō-dachi. Hajime or ichi begins the first count. Only the 60 main movements are numbered; formal commands are separate. After 60, draw the left foot back to Musubi-dachi, retaining mokusō position. Naore: Fudō-dachi. Yasume: rest.
Movement sequence
The following teaching sequence supports practice and revision according to the selected Galaz Dojo/modern Kyokushin standard; it does not replace dojo instruction.
| No. | Direction | Stance | Technique | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forwards | Heikō-dachi | Kanku kamae / migi shutō hizō uchi | On hajime/ichi, slowly place the hands in low Kanku kamae in front of the body. Slowly raise the arms into high Kanku kamae above the head, look up through the opening and hold for about three seconds. Then bring the arms forcefully down in a circle and strike Migi shutō hizō uchi into the left palm. |
| 2 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Hidari kokutsu-dachi | Shutō mawashi uke | Turn 90° anticlockwise on the right foot into Hidari kokutsu-dachi and block Shutō mawashi uke. |
| 3 | Turn 180° clockwise | Migi kokutsu-dachi | Shutō mawashi uke | Turn 180° clockwise on the left foot into Migi kokutsu-dachi and block Shutō mawashi uke. |
| 4 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Hidari sanchin-dachi | Hidari seiken uchi uke / seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki | Pivot 90° anticlockwise into Hidari sanchin-dachi. Block Hidari seiken uchi uke and immediately punch Seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki. |
| 5 | Same position | Hidari sanchin-dachi | Migi seiken uchi uke / seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki | Block Migi seiken uchi uke and immediately punch Seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki. |
| 6 | Forwards | Hidari kokutsu-dachi | Shutō mawashi uke | Advance with the left foot into Hidari kokutsu-dachi and block Shutō mawashi uke. |
| 7 | Forwards | Migi kokutsu-dachi | Shutō mawashi uke | Advance into Migi kokutsu-dachi and block Shutō mawashi uke. |
| 8 | Forwards | Hidari kokutsu-dachi | Shutō mawashi uke | Advance into Hidari kokutsu-dachi and block Shutō mawashi uke. |
| 9 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari shōtei osae uke / migi chūdan mae yonhon nukite, kiai | Advance into Migi zenkutsu-dachi. Block with Hidari shōtei osae uke and thrust Migi chūdan mae yonhon nukite. Keep the left hand open beneath the right elbow. Finish with kiai. |
| 10 | Turn 180° anticlockwise | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Migi shutō ganmen uchi | Cross the left foot to the right and look left. Raise the left hand behind as a jōdan shōtei guard and place the right hand behind the head. Turn 180° anticlockwise through the hips into Hidari zenkutsu-dachi and strike Migi shutō ganmen uchi. Retract the left hand in front of the forehead as protection. |
| 11 | Forwards | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi jōdan mae geri / nihon seiken chūdan tsuki | Retain the hand position, kick Migi jōdan mae geri, set down in Migi zenkutsu-dachi and punch Nihon seiken chūdan tsuki, gyaku-oi. |
| 12 | Turn 180° clockwise | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari shutō ganmen uchi | Cross the right foot to the left and look right. Raise the right hand behind as a jōdan shōtei guard and place the left hand behind the head. Turn 180° clockwise into Migi zenkutsu-dachi and strike Hidari shutō ganmen uchi. Retract the right hand in front of the forehead as protection. |
| 13 | Forwards | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan mae geri / nihon seiken chūdan tsuki | Retain the hand position, kick Hidari jōdan mae geri, set down in Hidari zenkutsu-dachi and punch Nihon seiken chūdan tsuki, gyaku-oi. |
| 14 | Turn 90° clockwise | Musubi-dachi | Hidari waki no kamae | Retract the left foot, turn 90° clockwise into Musubi-dachi and enter Hidari waki no kamae. The right fist rests in tettsui position above the left fist. |
| 15 | Turn 90° clockwise | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi jōdan mae geri / migi jōdan yoko geri / migi uraken yoko jōdan uchi / hidari hiji jōdan ate | Keeping the hands in position, kick Migi jōdan mae geri. Retract into Musubi-dachi, look right and kick Migi jōdan yoko geri while striking Migi uraken yoko jōdan uchi. Open the right hand, land in Migi zenkutsu-dachi and strike Hidari hiji jōdan ate into the open right hand. |
| 16 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Musubi-dachi | Migi waki no kamae | Retract the left leg, turn 90° anticlockwise into Musubi-dachi and enter Migi waki no kamae. |
| 17 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan mae geri / hidari jōdan yoko geri / hidari uraken yoko jōdan uchi / migi hiji jōdan ate | Keeping the hands in position, kick Hidari jōdan mae geri. Retract into Musubi-dachi, look left and kick Hidari jōdan yoko geri while striking Hidari uraken yoko jōdan uchi. Open the left hand, land in Hidari zenkutsu-dachi and strike Migi hiji jōdan ate into the open left hand. |
| 18 | 45° clockwise forwards | Hidari sanchin-dachi | Migi jōdan uke / migi uraken ganmen uchi / migi hiji jōdan ate / migi hiji oroshi ate, kiai | Move the right foot forwards 45° clockwise into Hidari sanchin-dachi. Block Migi seiken jōdan uke, immediately strike Migi uraken ganmen uchi, retract to hikite, strike Migi hiji jōdan ate, cover with Hidari hiji jōdan ate and finish with Migi hiji oroshi ate and kiai. |
| 19 | 90° clockwise | Hidari sanchin-dachi | Hidari jōdan uke / hidari uraken ganmen uchi / hidari hiji jōdan ate / hidari hiji oroshi ate, kiai | Raise the body and move the left leg 90° clockwise into Hidari sanchin-dachi on a diagonal. Block Hidari seiken jōdan uke, strike Hidari uraken ganmen uchi, retract to hikite, strike Hidari hiji jōdan ate, cover with Migi hiji jōdan ate and finish with Hidari hiji oroshi ate and kiai. |
| 20 | 45° anticlockwise forwards | Migi moroashi-dachi | Shutō morote gedan barai | Move 45° anticlockwise to the left, open both hands and advance into Migi moroashi-dachi with a knee lift, without letting the leg drop back. Simultaneously block Shutō morote gedan barai. |
| 21 | Forwards | Migi moroashi-dachi | Shutō morote gedan barai | Raise both hands to cover the face and advance into Migi moroashi-dachi. Block Shutō morote gedan barai. |
| 22 | Forwards | Migi moroashi-dachi | Migi seiken chūdan oi tsuki | Draw both hands to Migi waki no kamae, right fist in hikite above the left shōtei. Advance into Migi moroashi-dachi and punch Migi seiken chūdan oi tsuki, placing the open left hand on the right forearm. |
| 23 | Turn 180° anticlockwise | Hidari moroashi-dachi | Shutō morote gedan barai | Pivot on the right foot and turn 180° anticlockwise. Raise both open hands to cover the face and advance into Hidari moroashi-dachi with Shutō morote gedan barai. |
| 24 | Forwards | Hidari moroashi-dachi | Shutō morote gedan barai | Raise both open hands to cover the face and advance into Hidari moroashi-dachi with Shutō morote gedan barai. |
| 25 | Forwards | Hidari moroashi-dachi | Shutō morote gedan barai | Raise both open hands to cover the face and advance into Hidari moroashi-dachi with Shutō morote gedan barai. |
| 26 | Forwards | Hidari moroashi-dachi | Hidari waki no kamae / supporting hand on forearm | Draw both hands to Hidari waki no kamae, left fist in hikite above the right shōtei. Advance into Hidari moroashi-dachi, placing the open right hand on the left forearm. |
| 27 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Kiba-dachi | Migi seiken chūdan jun tsuki, kiai | Advance with the right leg, turn 90° anticlockwise into Kiba-dachi and strike Migi seiken chūdan jun tsuki with kiai. Then retract the closed right hand to hikite. |
| 28 | Turn 90° clockwise | Musubi-dachi | Hidari waki no kamae | Retract the right foot, turn 90° clockwise into Musubi-dachi and enter Hidari waki no kamae. |
| 29 | Turn 90° clockwise | Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi jōdan mae geri / migi jōdan yoko geri / migi uraken yoko jōdan uchi / hidari hiji jōdan ate | Keeping the hands in position, kick Migi jōdan mae geri. Retract into Musubi-dachi, look right and kick Migi jōdan yoko geri while striking Migi uraken yoko jōdan uchi. Open the right hand, land in Migi zenkutsu-dachi and strike Hidari hiji jōdan ate into the open right hand. |
| 30 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Musubi-dachi | Migi waki no kamae | Retract the left foot and turn 90° anticlockwise into Musubi-dachi. Enter Migi waki no kamae. |
| 31 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari jōdan mae geri / hidari jōdan yoko geri / hidari uraken yoko jōdan uchi / migi hiji jōdan ate | Keeping the hands in position, kick Hidari jōdan mae geri. Retract into Musubi-dachi, look left and kick Hidari jōdan yoko geri while striking Hidari uraken yoko jōdan uchi. Open the left hand, land in Hidari zenkutsu-dachi and strike Migi hiji jōdan ate into the open left hand. |
| 32 | Sideways right | Migi kake-dachi | Migi tettsui chūdan yoko uchi / hidari seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki, kiai | Turn the head 90° clockwise to the right and move the right foot forwards into a half Migi nekoashi-dachi, taking Hidari waki no kamae. Lunge sideways right into Migi kake-dachi, striking Migi tettsui chūdan yoko uchi and Hidari seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki at the same level as Seiken yoko heikō tsuki. Finish with kiai as indicated in the illustration overview. |
| 33 | Sideways left | Kiba-dachi | Hidari chūdan haishu uke | Move the left foot left into Kiba-dachi. Quickly cover left with the right fist, place the left arm under the right, look left and perform slow Hidari chūdan haishu uke at shoulder height. Retract the right fist to hikite. |
| 34 | Turn 180° anticlockwise and sideways | Migi kake-dachi | Migi mikazuki geri uke / migi hiji jōdan ate / migi tettsui chūdan yoko uchi / hidari seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki | Retain the left hand position. Kick Migi mikazuki geri uke / Teisoku mawashi geri uke into the open left hand while turning 180° anticlockwise. Before placing the right foot, strike Migi hiji jōdan ate into that hand, take Hidari waki gamae and lunge sideways into Migi kake-dachi with Migi tettsui chūdan yoko uchi and Hidari seiken chūdan gyaku tsuki. |
| 35 | Jump backwards | Low migi zenkutsu-dachi | Ryōte-fuse | Jump upwards and slightly back. Land low in Migi zenkutsu-dachi with Ryōte-fuse, both hands on the floor in front of the right foot. Look forwards. |
| 36 | Backwards | Low position | Hidari shutō ushiro morote gedan barai | Stay low, look backwards to the left and block Hidari shutō ushiro morote gedan barai parallel to the rear leg. |
| 37 | Forwards | Migi kokutsu-dachi | Migi shutō mawashi uke | Look forwards, rise and retract the right foot to Migi kokutsu-dachi. Block Migi shutō mawashi uke. |
| 38 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Hidari sanchin-dachi | Hidari seiken uchi uke / gedan barai | Pivot 90° anticlockwise into Hidari sanchin-dachi and block Hidari seiken uchi uke / gedan barai. |
| 39 | Same position | Hidari sanchin-dachi | Migi seiken uchi uke / gedan barai | Repeat the block on the opposite side: Migi seiken uchi uke / gedan barai. |
| 40 | Forwards | Stable stance | Kanku kamae / migi shutō hizō uchi | Slowly lower the right hand in a semicircle to low Kanku kamae. Slowly raise both arms to high Kanku kamae above the head, look up and hold for about three seconds. Bring the arms forcefully down in a circle and strike Migi shutō hizō uchi into the left palm. |
| 41 | Turn 180° clockwise | Kiba-dachi | Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Pivot 180° clockwise on the left foot into Kiba-dachi. Cover with Hidari shōtei in front of the body, right hand open in hikite, and thrust Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 42 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Turn the head 180° anticlockwise in the same Kiba-dachi, cover with Migi shōtei and thrust Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 43 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Hidari shōtei gedan mawashi uke / hidari kake jōdan uke, ibuki | Turn the head 90° clockwise and look forwards. Sweep the open left hand down, across and up to Hidari shōtei gedan mawashi uke, followed by slow Hidari kake jōdan uke with ibuki. Keep the open right hand in hikite. |
| 44 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Migi and hidari mae chūdan yonhon nukite | Thrust Migi and Hidari mae chūdan yonhon nukite, with clear direction and an integrated body. |
| 45 | Turn 180° anticlockwise | Kiba-dachi | Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Pivot 180° anticlockwise on the right foot into Kiba-dachi. Cover with Migi shōtei in front of the body, left hand open in hikite, and thrust Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 46 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Turn the head 180° clockwise in the same Kiba-dachi, cover with Hidari shōtei and thrust Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 47 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Migi shōtei gedan mawashi uke / migi kake jōdan uke, ibuki | Turn the head 90° anticlockwise and look forwards. Sweep the open right hand down, across and up to Migi shōtei gedan mawashi uke, followed by slow Migi kake jōdan uke with ibuki. Keep the open left hand in hikite. |
| 48 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Hidari and migi mae chūdan yonhon nukite | Thrust Hidari and Migi mae chūdan yonhon nukite. Keep Kiba-dachi stable. |
| 49 | Turn 90° clockwise | Kiba-dachi | Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Pivot 90° clockwise on the left foot into Kiba-dachi. Cover with Hidari shōtei in front of the body, right hand open in hikite, and thrust Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 50 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Turn the head 180° anticlockwise, cover with Migi shōtei and thrust Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 51 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Hidari shōtei gedan mawashi uke / hidari kake jōdan uke, ibuki | Turn the head 90° clockwise and look forwards. Sweep the open left hand down, across and up to Hidari shōtei gedan mawashi uke, followed by slow Hidari kake jōdan uke with ibuki. |
| 52 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Migi and hidari mae chūdan yonhon nukite | Thrust Migi and Hidari mae chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 53 | Right cross-step | Kiba-dachi | Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Cross-step to the right with the right foot, Mae kosa ashi, into Kiba-dachi. Cover with Migi shōtei in front of the body, left hand open in hikite, and thrust Hidari yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 54 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite | Turn the head 180° clockwise, cover with Hidari shōtei and thrust Migi yoko chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 55 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Migi shōtei gedan mawashi uke / migi kake jōdan uke, ibuki | Turn the head 90° anticlockwise and look forwards. Sweep the open right hand down, across and up to Migi shōtei gedan mawashi uke, followed by slow Migi kake jōdan uke with ibuki. |
| 56 | Same position | Kiba-dachi | Hidari and migi mae chūdan yonhon nukite | Thrust Hidari and Migi mae chūdan yonhon nukite. |
| 57 | Turn 90° anticlockwise | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Tai otoshi | Extend both open hands upwards to the right, grip the opponent and turn 90° anticlockwise into Hidari zenkutsu-dachi while performing Tai otoshi. Close the hands during the throwing action, right fist in ura position. |
| 58 | Same direction | Hidari zenkutsu-dachi | Hidari seiken gedan barai / migi seiken gedan gyaku tsuki, kiai | Keep the right hand in its original position, raise the left fist to prepare the block and perform Hidari seiken gedan barai. Then strike Migi seiken gedan gyaku tsuki with kiai. |
| 59 | Turn 180° clockwise | Stance resembling Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Tai otoshi | Retain the position, extend both open hands upwards to the left, grip the opponent and perform Tai otoshi while turning 180° clockwise into a stance resembling Migi zenkutsu-dachi. |
| 60 | Same direction | Stance resembling Migi zenkutsu-dachi | Migi seiken gedan barai / hidari seiken gedan gyaku tsuki, kiai | Keep the left hand in its original position, raise the right fist to prepare the block and perform Migi seiken gedan barai. Then strike Hidari seiken gedan gyaku tsuki with kiai. After completion, retract the left foot to Musubi-dachi, retaining the mokusō position. |
Breathing and rhythm
Distinguish preparation and symbolic opening, Kokutsu circular blocks, Sanchin block/counter, advancing shuto, nukite, protected shuto/kick/punches, Waki no kamae kick/elbow groups, Moroashi, Kake, jump/ryōte-fuse, Kiba nukite, Tai otoshi and closing stillness. Controlled breath gathers the opening; exhalation or kiai coincides with explosive completion. Ibuki gathers without unnecessary rigidity, particularly 43, 47, 51 and 55. Sustain technical rhythm and mental clarity across the long form.
Kiai
Kiai: 9, 18, 19, 27, 32, 58 and 60. In 9, Migi chūdan mae yonhon nukite follows Hidari shōtei osae uke in Migi zenkutsu-dachi. In 18/19, right/left Hiji oroshi ate completes the Jōdan uke–Uraken ganmen uchi–Hiji jōdan ate sequence. In 27, Migi seiken chūdan jun tsuki in Kiba. In 32, the source’s illustrated overview places it on the lateral Kake/Tettsui/Gyaku sequence. In 58, Migi gedan gyaku tsuki follows Hidari gedan barai; in 60, Hidari gedan gyaku tsuki follows Migi gedan barai. Kiai comes from the centre with stable stance, kime and zanshin.
Technical key points
Apply the count-specific stance and technique requirements above throughout the full kata. Keep the opening calm and present, Waki no kamae active, kicks recovered, elbows body-driven, Moroashi short, Kiba stable and Kake landings controlled. Protect the body in ryōte-fuse. Maintain Nukite hand form, functional Kake control, pulling/throwing intent in Tai otoshi and a definite low final line.
Common errors
Avoid decorative opening or jumping, forward-collapsing Kokutsu, rigid/narrow Sanchin, unconnected Gyaku tsuki, loose shuto circles, unretracted kicks, shortened post-kick Zenkutsu, passive Waki no kamae, misdirected Uraken/elbows, arm-only downward elbows, overlong Moroashi, unstable Kiba/Kake, unprotected low landing, poor Nukite fingers, empty Kake circles, Tai otoshi without pulling and a finish without kime/zanshin.
Bunkai and application
Study the functions above in small controlled partner sections: attention/opening, circular defence, block/counter, opening a line for nukite, kick/hand combinations, close elbows, low control and forward pressure, angle change through Kake, protected low avoidance, arm hooking and throw/balance-breaking principles. Keep applications appropriate to the form’s technical level.
Training method
- Learn start, mokusō, yoi and Kanku kamae separately.
- Practise Kokutsu with Shutō mawashi uke.
- Practise Sanchin with Uchi uke and Gyaku tsuki.
- Practise 6–9 as a Kokutsu/Zenkutsu/Shōtei/Nukite block.
- Practise Shutō ganmen uchi, Mae geri and Nihon tsuki.
- Practise Waki no kamae before kicks.
- Isolate Mae geri, Yoko geri, Uraken and Hiji ate.
- Practise 18–19 with Jōdan uke, Uraken, Hiji ate and kiai.
- Practise Moroashi in 20–26.
- Practise Kiba/Chūdan jun tsuki and kiai.
- Practise Kake sequences 32 and 34.
- Practise jumping and ryōte-fuse separately without force.
- Practise returning Kanku kamae in 40.
- Practise Kiba Yonhon nukite series.
- Practise ibuki in 43, 47, 51 and 55.
- Practise Tai otoshi in 57 and 59.
- Practise final Gedan barai/Gedan gyaku tsuki with kiai.
- Add breathing and rhythm.
- Practise kiai in 9, 18, 19, 27, 32, 58 and 60.
- Perform the full kata slowly without counting.
- Repeat logical blocks separately.
- Practise simple partner bunkai.
- Return and correct direction, stance, jump, hand form, kiai and zanshin.