Wansu Kata

     This kata is said by many to have been brought to Okinawa by the 1683 Sappushi Wang Ji (in Japanese, Oshu, 1621-1689).  It is possible that it is based upon or inspired by techniques that may have been taught by Wang Ji.

     The problem with this theory is that why would such a high ranked government official teach his martial arts (assuming he even knew any) to the lowly Okinawans?  Al-so, Wang Ji was only in Okinawa for 6 months, hardly time enough to make expert stu-dents of his “style” (Sakagami, 1978).

     Want Ji was originally from Xiuning in Anhui, and was an official for the Han Lin Yuan, an important government post akin to personal Aide (Kinjo, 1999).  In order to become an official for the Han Lin Yuan, one had to be a high level scholar, and pass se-veral national tests (Kinjo, 1999).  Just preparing for such a task would all but rule out the practice of martial arts to such a degree as to master them.  However, assuming that Wang Ji was familiar with the martial arts, the Quanfa (Chuan Fa) of Anhui is classified as Northern ancient boxing, while the techniques of the Okinawan Wansu kata are clearly Southern in nature (Kinjo, 1999).

     This kata could be named after someone who was called by his followers, “Wan-su”.  So, if Wansu was not Wan Ji, just who was