Unsū

Unsu (Japanese云 手, dt "cloud hand " ) is a kata in karate, that a stylized fight against multiple imaginary opponents. Taught it both in the style Shotokan and Shito- in and Shorei - ryū, taking mostly the name Unshu used in Shito- ryu.

Origin

The origin of the Unsu is the Aragaki School, an old family style from Okinawa, which goes back to Aragaki Peichin. He must have brought this kata from his martial arts studies in China. For the first time the kata is mentioned outside of Aragaki school in the book Kenpo Karate by Funakoshi Gichin under the heading " Kata - types ".

Name

The name Unsu refers to the second technique in which, after having repelled upwards, the attacking arm is pushed to the side. Also, the structure of this kata, which acts quickly and easily through their technical versatility helps that one thinks of the lightness of the clouds. Sometimes Unsu is translated as " clouds Slide " ( Hatsuun jindo "parts the clouds and find the way " ), which is particularly the initial techniques illustrated vividly.

Unsu in Shotokan

In going back to Gichin Funakoshi Shotokan style Unsu is the most advanced kata. Your way in this style was the Kata over Mabuni Mabuni, a friend Funakoshi, who taught him his version of the Shito- ryu. The Kata was then adapted by Funakoshi to his style and is since then, although it had the longest kata of these styles is not 90 seconds in duration, as the most difficult. This classification is, among others, the 360 -degree jump with built Mikazuki tobi geri ( crescent kick in the jump) and Ushiro tobi geri owe ( kick in the jump backwards) before landing, but also the other intricacies of the 68 techniques.