Unsū

Unsu(Vân thủ,lit. 'cloud hands'),is the most advancedkatafound in theShotokanandShito-Ryukaratestyles and is generally taught tokaratekaat the 3rd to 4thDan.It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon-nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360-degree spinning double-kick with a double-leg take down at the same time, landing on the floor face-down before continuing.Because of this, it is a very common kata in tournaments and seen as method of testing the competitors knowledge, spirit and skill.

Per Bruce Clayton in his book,Shotokan's Secret,Unsu was created bySeisho Arakakisometime around 1860-1870. Arakaki was a Japanese and Chinese language interpreter to theShuri court,and a master of monk fist and white crane styles. It is somewhat a condensation of otherkatas(e.g.,Bassai,Kanku,Jion,Empi,Jitte and Gankaku), hence it is essential to have mastered these before practicing Unsu.

The movement, Unsu, or hands in the cloud, is used to sweep away the hands of the opponent and is said to signify the gathering clouds in a thunderstorm.

Masatoshi Nakayama suggests inthe Best Karatevolume containing Unsu, that the name derives from the constant transformations, expansions, contractions, shifting, etc. of the body as the Kata is performed, just as clouds constantly change and transform. It consists of 48 moves.

See also

• Bunkai
• Kata
• Shotokan

External links

• Redmond, R.Kata: The Folk Dances of Shotokan,2006