Description
CHATAN YARA NO KUSANKU
Yara Kusanku, is a classical kata and historically regarded as the original signature practice of Bushi Matsumura. From this original practice comes many modern versions such Kusanku-sho and Kusanku-dai of Shorin Ryu, Shi-ho Kusanku of Shito-ryu, Kankusho and Kankudai of Shotokan and various other interpretations including Matsumura Kusanku, Chibana Kusanku and Kuniyoshi Kusanku, etc.
The routine encompasses a wonderful array of techniques ranging in percussive impact with the hands, elbows, knees and feet, to stand-up clinch-style grappling, escapes and counters and groundwork. Originally identified in the 1762 document entitled, “Oshima Hikki”, [大島筆記] Kusanku [公相君] was introduced to Okinawa during its old Ryukyu Kingdom Period in the late 1750’s by a visiting Chinese official of the same name. Believed to represent the inner-workings of 17th century Fujian quanfa its timeless application practices are as functional today as they were more than two and a half centuries ago.
Legend says that Yara Peichin (c.1741-1812) was a Ryukyu official from the district of Chatan. It is believed that Yara had either learned the practice directly under the visiting Chinese master or is said to have created it based upon what he was taught. The unique techniques served to strengthen the local fighting art and from it the embryonic practice continued to evolve. It was ultimately passed on to Sakugawa Kanga [i.e. Toudi Sakugawa], the principal student of Chatan Yara [Yara of Chatan], who in turn passed it on to Matsumura Sokon [Bushi Matsumura], where it became known as, Chatan Yara no Kusanku [i.e. Yara Kusanku].
Representing the mainstream of Karate practice in and around the old castle capitol of Shuri, Kusanku is one of the principal practices handed down from the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the hands of Itosu Ankoh, one of Matsumura’s principal students, the foundation of modern karate was laid using Kusanku along with a handful of other related practices such as Naihanchi, Seisan and Passai, etc. In 1922, Funakoshi Gichin, a student of Itosu Ankoh, traveled from Okinawa to Tokyo to provide a demonstration of Karate-justu, at the “First National Athletic Exhibition.” Assisted by Gima Shinken, a fellow Okinawan then residing in Tokyo, Funakoshi chose to demonstrate Kusanku as the flagship practice of the original Ryukyu fighting art.
THE NEW YARA KUSANKU iKATA RELEASE IS NOW AVAILABLE at only $6.95 USD
The presentation features the kata routine itself from several angles and includes close-ups & slow-motion of otherwise hard to see techniques. Yara Kusanku is also curriculum-based and required learning for any and all KU student and instructor interested in “getting it the CORRECT way!”
