Topic: Kanku Sho

[Moley]

Recently we have re-introduced Kanku Sho into our weekly lessons. Some of you 1st Kuy's experienced it for the first time. What are your first impressions ?

[Lloydie]

I have mixed views about Kanku Sho.

Negative:

It is another kata to learn at a crucial point in my preparation for testing for shodan.  I have a strong feeling that I don't learn kata at all well enough in progression though the kyu ranks.  Also Kanku Sho has some pretty athletically demanding moves (eg the spin and drop) that I struggle with.

Positive:

 I like learning new kata, and Kanku Sho is demanding.  I would like to stick with it because of these demands (does this make sense?) just to "set the bar higher".  

I also like the damn thing 'cos it incorporates a lot of the heian kata stuff, so feels familiar.  Lots of peripheral movement, more than in other kata i have learnt, so interesting from that view.

as I say, a mixed bag for me.  Wouldn't want to stop doing it, but struggling a bit with it at the moment.

lloydie

[Mole Bach]

a mixed bag for me.  Wouldn't want to stop doing it, but struggling a bit with it at the moment.

Same thing goes for me too Lloydie;

There was a time when I liked the Kata, now I'm not too sure, maybe it's because we have'nt done enough of it yet for my enthusiasm for it to come back!! (if that makes any sense).

[Moley]

What do you reckon the twist is for, after the first two oi-tsuki's ?
I know it works as a disengagement, but this is perhaps too obvious. Also I can't see a grab ocurring straight after a punch/attack.
Could it be "An uraken in disguise" ? or an uraken that has been "modified to suit the aesthetics of kata" ?

[Lloydie]

What do you reckon the twist is for, after the first two oi-tsuki's ?
I know it works as a disengagement, but this is perhaps too obvious. Also I can't see a grab ocurring straight after a punch/attack.
Could it be "An uraken in disguise" ? or an uraken that has been "modified to suit the aesthetics of kata" ?

I was toying with the idea that it might be a lock against the elbow joint of an attacker who has just punched, you have blocked the punch (final uchi-uke block) grabbed the arm and moved in very close to strike to the armpit, followed by a lock/break against the arm you are holding.  Doesn't work out neatly though, and I agree that the disengagement seems unlikely following the punch.  Perhaps is is an uraken but kept to the middle level to fit in with the rest of the kata.

Lloydie

[Lloydie]

Watching the kata last night, I was trying to think of alternative moves to some of the traditional interpretations of kata.  I came to a view that perhaps the move Moley has referred to is not an oi-tsuki, but a throat grab followed by a pull and twist.  Brutal - yes, but we are trying to interpret a kata that has its origins in a brutal time.  Makes no sense to me that such people would continually practice a chudan level punch when, much more effective targets needed to be considered in real life/death situations.

Just a thought

Lloydie

[Moley]

Just a thought

Lloydie

But a bloody good one !

Nice one Lloydie

[Jewels]

I want to do that.

[Jewels]

I mean Kanku Sho not the throat grab and pull twist thing..