Kusanku (Scroll Down to Sai Kata Below)
Often described in Isshinryu as a “night fighting kata,” this form was passed down from Kyan Chotoku to Shimabuku Tatsuo. Interestingly enough, no references to night fighting are found in the primary references coming out of Japan and Okinawa, leading one to believe that such interpretations were contrived to fit the movements that are not very well understood. Another explanation is that Shimabuku Sensei saw the adaptive nature of this kata to night fighting and taught his students to practice it “as if in a dark place” (Advincula, 2002).
In the year 1762, a tribute ship sent to Satsuma from Ryukyu was blown off course during a storm, and ended up landing at Tosa Province in Shikoku Okinawa, where they remained for a month. The Confucian scholar of Tosa, Tobe Ryoen (1713-1795), was petitioned to collect testimony from the crew. The record of this testimony is known as the Oshima Hikki (literally “Note of Oshima”, the name of the area of Tosa where the ship had run aground). In this book, there is some very provocative testimony by a certain Shionja Peichin, describing a man from China call Koshankin, who demon-strated a grappling technique (McCarthy, 1995; Sakagami, 1978).
It is commonly accepted that this Koshankin was the originator of the Okinawan Kusanku kata, or at least inspired it. However, there are several unknowns in this equa-tion. First of all, was Koshankin his name or a title, or even a term of affection towards him? Second, if it was a title or term of affection, what was his real name? Thirdly, what martial art(s) did he teach anyway, and how did they differ from the modern karate kata especially the Kusanku kata as Shimabuku Sensei taught it?
For now, suffice it to say that Kusanku is a highly important kata in the Okinawan martial arts, and has spawned many versions over the years. Some of them include the Kusanku Dai/Sho Itosu Anko lineage styles, the Chibana no Kusanku of Shodokan, the Takemura no Kusanku of Bugeikan and Genseiryu, the Kanku Dai/Sho of Shotokai, the Shiho Kusanku of Shitoryu, and the Yara no Kusanku of Kyan Chotoku lineage styles, including Isshinryu. Of course, there are numerous others as well.
Kyan Chotoku is said to have learned Kusanku in Yomitan Okinawa under a cer-tain Yara Peichin (Nagamine, 1975; 1976). It is unknown at this time whether there is a familial relationship between this Yara Peichin and the Chantan Yara who is believed to have studied under Koshinkin during his mid-18th century visit to Okinawa. Chantan Yara is the Sensei who created or for who was named the third Sai kata (Chantan Yara no Sai) for Nidan rank, the others being Kani Sai, and Kusanku Sai. Koshankin was the predecessor of the Kyokushinkai system of Japan of which Oyama Matsutatsuo Soge was the founder.
1. Open as Naihanchi.
2. With hands down and while bent over at the waist, slowly bring up hands to the front to "feel" for enemy
3. From front, bring hands, feeling, along the sides (arms straight out).
4. When reaching the back, turn palms down and bring the hands along both sides to the front again.
5. While raising hands in front, suddenly spring to right Seisan and Kamae to front
6. Chamber left and drop down in right Goju (to left side)
7. Left arm rises in Age Uke, right arm lowers to below belt to protect lower body
8. Chamber right and drop down into left Goju (to right side)
9. Right arm rises in Age Uke, left arm lowers to below belt to protect lower body
10 Suddenly raise left arm to Uchi Uke
11 Stamp left foot on the floor
12 As "opponent" goes for the sound of the sound of the foot, you change to right Goju and
13 Seiken Tsuki, Uchi Uke right
14 Stamp right foot on the floor
15 Attack by shifting to left Goju and left Seiken Tsuki, left Uchi Uke
16 Turning on left foot into Neko Ashi Dachi to rear of kata line, Uraken Uchi right with right Mae Geri
17 As right foot touches floor, Shotokai into left Seisan with Kamae
18 Advance to right Seisan with feeling Kamae
19 Advance to left Seisan with feeling Kamae, and, touching something
20 Raise palm block upward right and also step forward into right Seisan and then right Seiken Tsuki, Kiai
21 Chamber left to rear facing left Seisan, Seiken Tsuki left
22 Chamber right to rear facing right Seisan, with right Seiken Tsuki
23 Look over left shoulder
24 Protecting top of head with left Age Shuto Uke
25 Shotokai into left Seisan facing front of kata line and deliver right Shuto Uchi to neck
26 Holding hands where they are, right Mae Geri
27 Return foot and spin on left foot so that you are facing rear kata line, kneel on right knee, left Uchi Uke
28 Stand in left Seisan, reverse Seiken Tsuki
29 Raise left hand up in Age Shuto Uke, perform right Shuto Uchi to head, Mae Geri right
30 Repeat 27
31 Repeat 28
32 Back chamber to the left side of kata line, facing right side, into left Neko Ashi Dachi, hands right chambered
33 Commit left Shoba Geri with left Uraken Uchi, drop down on left foot and go to right knee, right Empi Uchi into left palm
34 Keep left foot in place and withdraw into right Neko Ashi Dachi, facing right side of kata line
35 Perform right Shoba Geri with right Uraken Uchi, drop down on right foot and left knee, left Empi Uchi into right palm.
36 Keeping right foot in place, withdraw into left Neko Ashi Dachi, facing left side of kata line
37 Step into left Seisan directly at left of kata line and use Morote Shuto Uke to feel for an opponent
38 Step 45 degrees into right Seisan and come up circular from left with Morote Shuto Uke to feel
39 Step 135 degrees into right Seisan facing the right side of the kata line with Morote Shuto Uke
40 Step left 45 degrees into left Seisan with Morote Shuto Uke
41 Sense verticle strike from your right and jump back in Seiuchin and perform Age Juji Uke
42 Shotokai left (facing front of kata line) into left Seisan
43 Raise left hand up in Age Shuto Uke and strike forward with Shuto Uchi to head, Mae Geri
44 As foot touches down, right Gedan Barai
45 Move left foot behind right into Kagi Dachi
46 Deliver left Tetsui Tsuki then right Tetsui Tsuki at waist level
47 Come out of Kagi Dachi into right Seisan and left Uchi Uke
48 Right Seiken Tsuki, then left Seiken Tsuki
49 Chamber right back, reversing to rear of kata line in left Seisan
50 Strike left Uraken Uchi to head, return, put hand back out as target palm
51 Perform right Mikazuki Geri to palm and continue movement of the foot to the rear of kata line
52 As right foot drops forward to the floor, dive down on palms and make head turn right and left (as if listening for the opponent(s))
53 Leap up in the air, turning as you do so that you are now in the reverse crouch with left leg forward facing the rear of kata line. Turn head left and right.
54 Stand into left Seisan, advance into right Seisan with right then left Seiken Tsuki
55 Right chamber back so that you are standing in left Seisan facing front of kata line
56 Invite with left hand
57 Close invitation and begin to spin around by stepping 45 degrees to left with right foot, simultaneously Seiken Tsuki to face and continue rotation into left Seisan
58 Staying on the 45 degree left, Mae geri with Uraken Uchi (both left), then left Gedan Barai
59 Look right, step into left Seisan with double handed shove (from Sanchin Kata)
60 Look right, move left foot again so you are facing rear of kata line in Seiuchin dachi, with "Megami block"
61 Look right, move left foot again so you face left side of kata line, bring left fist Tetsui Ude Uchi
62 Cross left fist with right Tetsui Ude Uchi,
63 Perform Age Juji Uke
64 With hands still crossed, look right and swing left leg 270 degrees so you are facing rear of kata line, Juji Uke
65 Step back into right Seisan, pull Juji hands close to chest
66 Step right and leap into double pump kick, left then right, land left foot forward in left Seisan, Juji Gedan Uke with crossed fists
67 Step forward into right Seisan (rear of kata line), right Uchi Uke, left then right Seiken Tsuki
68 Without leg chamber, turn Shotokai into left Seisan facing front of kata line
69 Left Morote Shuto Uke
70 Advance into right Seisan with right Morote Shuto Uke
71 Withdraw right to left in Musubi dachi
72 Yoi
73 Rei
Kusanku Sai
1. Open as any kobudo kata
2. Punch down with Sai pommels
3. Bring Sai upwards
4. Form Kamae with left Sai advanced
5. While raising hands in front, take left Seisan Dachi
6. Chamber left and drop down in right Goju (to left side)
7. Left arm rises in Age Uke with Sai, Right arm lowers to below belt to protect lower body see picture at left
8. Chamber right and drop down into left Goju (to right side)
9. Right arm rises in Age Uke with Sai, left arm lowers to below belt to protect lower body
10 Suddenly raise left arm to Uchi Uke, Sai turned out to protect arm
11 Stamp left foot on the floor
12 As "opponent" goes for the sound of the sound of the foot, you change to right Goju and
13 Punch with pommel right, swing out Sai long right, Uchi Uke right with Sai closed
14 Stamp right foot on the floor
15 Attack by shifting to left Goju and left punch with Sai pommel, left Uchi Uke
16 Turning on left foot into Neko Ashi Dachi to rear of kata line, swing Sai strike side right with right Mae Geri
17 As right foot touches floor, Shotokai into left Seisan with Kamae (both Sai out long)
18 Advance to right Seisan with feeling Kamae, Sai long
19 Advance to left Seisan with feeling Kamae, and, touching something
20 Raise knee upward right and step forward into right Seisan. Punch with long Sai, Kiai
21 Chamber left to rear facing left Seisan, close right Sai, stab long Sai left
22 Chamber right to rear facing right Seisan, right Sai stabs (left closed in chamber)
23 Look over left shoulder
24 Protecting top of head with left open Sai Jodan Uke,
25 Shotokai into left Seisan facing front of kata line and deliver right side Sai strike to neck
26 Holding hands where they are, right Mae Geri
27 Return foot and spin on left foot so that you are facing rear kata line, kneel on right knee, left Uchi Uke, Sai long, right Sai closed in chamber
28 Stand in left Seisan, reverse punch with Sai pommel
29 Raise left hand up in long Sai Judan Uke, perform right side strike (long Sai) to head, Mae Geri right
30 Repeat 27
31 Repeat 28
32 Back chamber to the left side of kata line, facing right side, into left Neko Ashi Dachi, hands right chambered
33 Commit left Shoba Geri with left side Sai strike, drop down on left foot and go to right knee, left downblock with closed Sai
34 Keep left foot in place and withdraw into right Neko Ashi Dachi, facing right side of kata line
35 Perform right Shoba Geri with right side Sai strike, drop down on right foot and left knee, right downward block with closed Sai
36 Keeping right foot in place, withdraw into left Neko Ashi Dachi, facing left side of kata line
37 Step into left Seisan directly at left of kata line and use double long Sai to feel for an opponent
38 Step 45 degrees into right Seisan and come up circular from left with double long Sai to feel
39 Step 135 degrees into right Seisan facing the right side of the kata line with double long Sai
40 Step left 45 degrees into left Seisan with double long Sai
41 Sense verticle strike from your right and jump back in Seiuchin and perform Jodan Juji Uke with long Sai
42 Shotokai left (facing front of kata line) into left Seisan
43 Raise left hand up in rising head block, long Sai and strike forward with side Sai strike to head, Mae Geri
44 As foot touches down, right Gedan Barai with long Sai
45 Move left foot behind right into Kagi Dachi
46 Deliver left back-hand snap (Sai long) then right snap on top of left Sai at waist level
47 Come out of Kagi Dachi into right Seisan and left Uchi Uke with short Sai
48 Right pommel punch, then left pommel punch
49 Chamber right back, reversing to rear of kata line in left Seisan
50 Strike left side with long Sai to head, return and chamber both Sai
51 Spin on left foot to the rear of the kata line
52 As right foot touches the floor, dive down on Sai pommels and make head turn right and left (as if listening for the opponent(s))
53 Leap up in the air, turning as you do so that you are now in the reverse crouch with left leg forward facing the rear of kata line, resting on both pommels. Turn head left and right.
54 Stand into left Seisan, advance into right Seisan with right then left pommel punches
55 Right chamber back so that you are standing in left Seisan facing front of kata line
56 Invite with left hand, Sai long and low
57 Close invitation and begin to spin around by stepping 45 degrees to left with right foot, simultaneously pommel punch to face and continue rotation into left Seisan
58 Staying on the 45 degree left, Mae geri with Sai side strike long (both left), then left Gedan Barai, Sai closed
59 Look right, step into left Seisan with double pommel thrusts (as the levels from Sanchin Kata)
60 Look right, move left foot again so you are facing rear of kata line in Seiuchin dachi, with "Megami block" using both Sai long
61 Look right, move left foot again so you face left side of kata line, bring left long Sai cutting across front
62 Cross left Sai with right long Sai
63 Perform Juji Uke up with crossed long Sai
64 With hands still crossed, look right and swing left leg 270 degrees so you are facing rear of kata line, Juji Uke with long Sai by banging the right Sai down onto the left Sai's tine
65 Step back into right Seisan, make a snappy stab with the right Sai held in the left Sai's tine
66 Step forward into right Seisan (rear of kata line), right Uchi Uke (Sai closed), left then right pommel punch
67 Without leg chamber, turn Shotokai into left Seisan facing front of kata line
68 Left double long Sai sweeps
69 Advance into right Seisan with right double long Sai sweeps
70 Advance into left Seisan with left arm in Jodan Ude, Sai closed, right arm, Sai closed down (see picture at right)
71 Swing the right Sai in a cutting motion from left to right and then block down closed
72 Advance into right Seisan with right arm in Jodan Ude, Sai closed, right arm Sai closed down (picture at right)
73 Perform the cuts with the left Sai long, ending with left downward block closed
74 Pull back left leg into right facing Seiuchin Dachi, both elbows up, long Sai facing each other
75 Make as to throw the right Sai over and downward to the front of kata line (into a foot, say.)
76 Withdraw right foot back into left Seisan and reach behind as if getting the 3rd Sai, show both Sai, long.
77 Advance into right Seisan with left Sai chambered and right extended to stab, Kiai
78 Make right downward closed block with Sai
79 Advance into left Seisan , chamber right Sai, pommel punch left, open Sai to snap back of hand, stab with open Sai and then block down with closed Sai
80 Advance into right Seisan, chamber left Sai, pommel punch right, open Sai to snap back of hand, stab with open Sai and then block down right with closed Sai
81 Withdraw right to left in Musubi dachi
82 Clank Sai in long "X" in front of your face
83 Close both Sai and lower to sides
84 Rei