Unsū

In this article, we will explore Unsū in detail, addressing its main characteristics, impact and relevance in various contexts. Unsū has been the subject of study and debate in different disciplines, arousing the interest and attention of experts and amateurs alike. Throughout history, Unsū has played a fundamental role in society, influencing and shaping important aspects of culture, politics, economics, and everyday life. Likewise, its presence has generated questions and reflections on its meaning, its implications and its projection in the future. Through this article, we propose to analyze all these aspects in a critical and enriching way, providing new perspectives and contributing to the knowledge and understanding of Unsū.

Unsu (雲手, lit. 'cloud hands'), is the most advanced kata found in the Shotokan, Shito-Ryu and Wado-Ryu karate styles and is generally taught to karateka at the 3rd to 4th Dan.[1] 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.[2] 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 by Seisho Arakaki sometime around 1860-1870. Arakaki was a Japanese and Chinese language interpreter to the Shuri court, and a master of monk fist and white crane styles. It is somewhat a condensation of other katas (e.g., Bassai, Kanku, Jion, Empi, Jitte and Gankaku), hence it is essential to have mastered these before practicing Unsu.[3]

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 in the Best Karate volume 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

References

  1. ^ Lund, Graeme (December 29, 2015). Essential Karate Book: For White Belts, Black Belts and All Levels In Between. Tuttle Publishing. p. 100-101. ISBN 9781462905591.
  2. ^ Grupp, Joachim (2002). Shotokan Karate Kata. Meyer & Meyer Verlag. ISBN 9781841260914. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  3. ^ Clayton, Bruce D. (2004). Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins. Black Belt Books. p. 66. ISBN 9780897501446.


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