The Kata of Isshin-ryu

Wansu

        The fourth kata in the eclectic Isshin-ryu style of karate is Wansu. It was named after the famous Chinese envoy, Wang Ji, which is pronounced Wansu in Okinawa . Wang Ji was sent to the Tomari region of Okinawa in 1683 where he taught “Shaolin White Crane Fist” boxing. He stressed the importance of blocking and countering while using evasive foot maneuvers. Wansu Kata called Empi by the Shotokan people. Empi relates to the flight of the swallow. Perhaps the up and down movement of swallows in flight reminded Master Funakoshi of the movements of the kata. However, Master Wansu was called the birdman. Either way, the kata is known as flying swallow, but the kata is called “the dumping kata” due to the throwing techniques employed. Wansu’s symbolic meaning is “karate is my secret,” which is demonstrated in the very first move where the right closed hand inside the left open hand circles in front of the chest before blocking to the left side.

            It is designed for fighting a taller opponent and is known for the hidden punch contained in the kata, as well as its strong arm punches. Wansu is derived from Shorin-ryu which absorbed it from Tomari-Te. It is still practiced in the Shobayashi Shorin-ryu systems where it is known as Wanshu Kata.

            Wansu has many multiple attacks, and flows from block to counterattack very graceful, but with strong solid stances. Due to its graceful yet powerful solid counterattacks it has become very popular in competition. It consists of almost 50 movements and takes about 45 seconds to perform. The student is defending against five opponents and moves in a cross pattern. There are two kiais. The first is at the right hand uppercut as the left hand, palm up, grasp the right forearm and just before the front snap kick. The second kiai comes on the next to last move, during a double knife hand strike to the sides.

            The kata consists of very strong attacks and defensive positions. It introduces open hand strikes along with knee lifts. There are low blocks, open middle blocks, double blocks, grabbing techniques, middle punches, hammer fists, elbow strikes, two side kicks, and two front snap kicks. It also makes use of avoiding punches and then, counterattacking, instead of blocking and counterattacking. It utilized the Seisan, cat, cross, zenkutsu, and Seiuchin stances. The main lesson of Wansu is to seize the advantage by changing the distance between opponents.

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