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Kanku
Dai

Kanku: "View
the heavens; gaze at the sky" or "sunrise".
This Kata was
originally called Kushanku, which is said to be the title given to a
Chinese military attaché to Okinawa. The historical Kushanku (Guan
Kui) who is credited with the introduction of the Kanku Kata, came
to Okinawa in 1756. He was an expert in hand to hand combat and gave
a demonstration of his abilities whilst in Okinawa and the Kanku
Kata is still said to contain many elements of Kushanku's original
display. It was the Kata chosen by Gichin Funakoshi for performance
at the first public demonstration of Karate-do in Japan in 1922.
Kanku is the
supreme Kata of all traditional Karate-do. As one's hands are
brought together in the opening position, one gazes to the heavens
through the hands to reflect on the rising of the sun, and the glory
and infinity of the heavens. As long as heaven and earth remain in
their celestial sojourn, all will be well. The sun will rise again
tomorrow and with it comes new hope, regardless of how hard today
seemed.
Kanku Dai is
the representative Kata of Kyokushin Karate.
Steps
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Begin the
Kata in Fudo Dachi. |
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Move into
Musubi Dachi and Mokuso on the command "Mokuso". |
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On the
second command "Kanku Dai", open eyes, move into the Yoi
position with Ibuki. |
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On the
command "Hajime" slowly place both hands into the Kanku position
(hands open, index finger and thumb of each hand touching), in
front of the groin. Slowly raise both arms into the Kanku
position above the head. Maintain this position for
approximately 5 seconds and part them strongly bringing both
arms down in a circular action in front of the body to strike
right Shuto Hizo Uchi to the palm of the left hand. |
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Turn at 90°
to the left into left Kokutsu Dachi and block Shuto Mawashi Uke. |
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Move the
left leg and turn 180° into right Kokutsu Dachi and block Shuto
Mawashi Uke. |
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Pivot 90°
to the left into left Sanchin Dachi and block Chudan Uchi Uke
immediately punch Chudan Gyaku Tsuki quickly follow with right
Gyaku Chudan Uchi Uke and immediately punch Chudan Oi Tsuki. |
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Move
forward with the left foot into left Kokutsu Dachi and block
Shuto Mawashi Uke. |
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Move
forward into right Kokutsu Dachi and block Shuto Mawashi Uke. |
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Move
forward into left Kokutsu Dachi and block Shuto Mawashi Uke. |
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Retaining
the same stance block down with left Shuto Uke and with the left
hand in the same position move forward into right Zenkutsu Dachi
and strike right Yonhon Nukite (the left hand remains open under
the right elbow). |
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Move left
foot across to the right simultaneously raise the left hand
behind into a Jodan Shuto cover with the arm straight and at the
same time the right hand is placed behind the head in
preparation for the Shuto strike (the head should turn to the
left as the foot moves across). |
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Complete
the turn by pivoting the hips into left Zenkutsu Dachi and
execute a right Shuto Yoko Ganmen Uchi, simultaneously the left
hand is pulled back in front of the forehead with palm facing
outwards to cover. |
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Leaving the
hands in this position kick right Chudan Mae Geri. |
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As you land
into right Zenkutsu Dachi pull the left hand back to the ready
punch position and punch left Chudan Gyaku Tsuki and right
Chudan Oi Tsuki. |
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Move the
right foot back, covering with the right hand, turning 180° into
right Zenkutsu Dachi and strike left Shuto Yoko Ganmen Uchi with
the right hand in the cover position. |
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Leaving the
hands in this position kick left Chudan Mae Geri and land into
left Zenkutsu Dachi and punch right Chudan Gyaku Tsuki and left
Chudan Oi Tsuki. |
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Slowly pull
the left foot back into Musubi Dachi and simultaneously pull
both hands, closed, to the left ready punch position with the
right fist in the Tetsui position on top of the left fist. |
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With both
hands in this position kick right Chudan Mae Geri bring the leg
back into Tsuru Ashi Dachi and look to the right. Without
placing the foot down kick right Jodan Yoko Geri to the side,
and simultaneously strike right Uraken Uchi. |
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Open the
fist of the extended right arm and land in right Zenkutsu Dachi
(i.e. 90° from original position) and strike left Jodan Hiji Ate
into the open right hand (a slight pull back of the right hand
should be performed before the elbow strike). |
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Slowly pull
the left foot back into Musubi Dachi and simultaneously pull
both hands, closed, to the right ready punch position. Kick left
Chudan Mae Geri, return the leg to the Tsuru Ashi Dachi position
and look to the left and kick left Jodan Yoko Geri to the side
and simultaneously strike left Uraken Uchi. |
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Open the
fist of the extended left arm and land in left Zenkutsu Dachi
(i.e. 90° from original position) and strike right Jodan Hiji
Ate into the open left hand ensuring that you pull back slightly
with the left arm prior to the strike. |
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Move the
right foot forward at 45° into right Sanchin Dachi and block
right Jodan Uke then immediately strike with right Uraken Ganmen
Uchi and right Jodan Hiji Ate, cover with the left arm and
strike right Oroshi Hiji Ate and KIAI (the body drops as
low as possible into a crouching narrow Kiba Dachi when you
strike Oroshi Hiji Ate). |
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As you
regain the standing position move the left leg 90° to the right
into left Sanchin Dachi at 45° and block left Jodan Uke,
immediately strike left Uraken Ganmen Uchi and left Jodan Hiji
Ate cover with the right arm and strike left Oroshi Hiji Ate as
previously described and KIAI. |
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As you
regain the standing position move 45° to the left, open both
hands and bring them in front of the face simultaneously kick
right Age Ushiro Kakato Geri. |
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With both
hands in this position move forward into right Moro Ashi Dachi
and simultaneously block Morote Shuto Gedan Barai. |
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Raise both
hands to cover the face and simultaneously kick right Age Ushiro
Kakato Geri and move forward into right Moro Ashi Dachi and
simultaneously block Morote Shuto Gedan Barai. |
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Pull both
hands to the right ready punch position with the left open hand
placed over the right closed fist.
Simultaneously kick right Age Ushiro Kakato Geri. |
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Move
forward into right Moro Ashi Dachi and punch right Chudan Oi
Tsuki with the left open hand placed on the right forearm. |
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Pivot on
the right foot and turn anti-clockwise 180° and kick left Age
Ushiro Kakato Geri and simultaneously cover with both hands open
in front of the face. |
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With both
hands in this position move forward into left Moro Ashi Dachi
and simultaneously block Morote Shuto Gedan Barai. |
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Raise both
hands to cover the face and simultaneously kick left Age Ushiro
Kakato Geri. |
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Move
forward into left Moro Ashi Dachi and simultaneously block
Morote Shuto Gedan Barai. |
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Pull both
hands to the left ready punch position with the right open hand
placed over the left closed fist simultaneously kick left Age
Ushiro Kakato Geri. |
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Move
forward into left Moro Ashi Dachi and punch left Chudan Oi Tsuki
with the right open hand placed on the left forearm. |
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Pull the
right hand back closed to the ready punch position and move
forward with the right leg (i.e. turning 90°) into Kiba Dachi
and punch right Chudan jun Tsuki. |
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Slowly pull
the right foot back into Musubi Dachi with both fists closed in
the left ready punch position (i.e. right fist on left). |
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Kick right
Chudan Mae Geri return the leg to Tsuru Ashi Dachi position and
look to the right and kick right Jodan Yoko Geri to the side and
simultaneously strike right Uraken Uchi. |
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Open the
fist of the extended right arm and land into right Zenkutsu
Dachi (i.e. 90° from original position) and strike left Jodan
Hiji Ate into the right open hand. |
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Slowly pull
the left foot back into Musubi Dachi; with both fist closed in
the right ready punch position (i.e. left fist on right). |
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Kick left
Chudan Mae Geri return the leg to the Tsuru Ashi Dachi position
and look to the left and kick left Jodan Yoko Geri and
simultaneously strike left Uraken Uchi. |
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Open the
fist of the extended left arm and land into left Zenkutsu Dachi
(i.e. 90° from original position) and strike right Jodan Hiji
Ate into the left open hand. |
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Turn your
head 90° to the right and move the right foot to the left into a
semi neko ashi Dachi, simultaneously pull both hands back to
their respective ready punch positions. |
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Step 90° to
the right into left Kake Dachi and punch Morote Tsuki (right
Jodan, left Chudan). |
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From this
position move the left foot forward into Kiba Dachi and quickly
cover with a right Shotei to the left and position the left arm
ready for a strike with the palm parallel to the ground. |
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Slowly
execute a left haishu uchi (at shoulder height) and move the
right hand, fist closed, to the ready punch position. |
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Leaving the
left hand in this position kick right Soto Mawashi Teisoku
Keage. |
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Before you
position the right foot on the ground pull the left hand back,
closed, to the ready punch position and jump forward into right
Kake Dachi and punch Morote Tsuki (right Jodan, left Chudan). |
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Jump up and
slightly back landing in a low right Zenkutsu Dachi
simultaneously both hands are positioned to make a large circle
and the finger tips should touch the ground in front of the
right foot. Look to the rear and block Ushiro Morote Shuto Gedan
Barai parallel to the back leg. |
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Look to the
front and pull the right foot back into right Kokutsu Dachi and
block right Shuto Mawashi Uke. |
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Turn the
head 90° to the left and pivot into left Sanchin Dachi blocking
left Chudan Uchi Uke and right Mae Gedan Barai. |
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Repeat the
block: right Chudan Uchi Uke and left Mae Gedan Barai. Bring the
right hand slowly down in a semi circular movement to form a
lower Kanku position (as previously described). |
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Slowly
raise both arms into the Kanku position above the head. |
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Maintain
this Kanku position for approximately 5 seconds and part the
hands strongly bringing both arms down in a circular action in
front of the body to strike right Shuto Hizo Uchi into the palm
of the left hand. |
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Pivot
clockwise 180° (Ura) into a semi Zenkutsu Dachi (left heel is
raised off the ground) so that hips and head are turned to the
right; cover with left Shotei in front of the body with the
right hand open in the ready punch position. Pivot the hips into
Kiba Dachi and strike right Yonhon Nukite Chudan. |
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Pivot the
hips 90° into a left semi Zenkutsu Dachi and cover right Shotei.
Strike left Chudan Yonhon Nukite turning the hips back to the
original Kiba Dachi position. |
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In the same
position turn your head 90° and look forward and block right
Chudan Kake Uke, strike left Chudan Yonhon Nukite and right
Chudan Yonhon Nukite (i.e. Nihon Nukite). |
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Turn
anticlockwise 225° with the left leg into a left semi Zenkutsu
Dachi and right Shotei cover and turn the hips back 90° into
Kiba Dachi and strike left Yonhon Nukite Chudan. |
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Pivot 90°
into a right semi Zenkutsu Dachi and left Shotei cover strike
right Chudan Yonhon Nukite turning the hips back to the original
Kiba Dachi position. |
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Turn your
head 90° and look forward and block left Chudan Kake Uke and
strike right Chudan Yonhon Nukite and left Chudan Yonhon Nukite. |
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Move the
right foot to the right 180° and turn into a right semi Zenkutsu
Dachi and left Shotei cover and turn the hips back 90° and
strike right Chudan Yonhon Nukite. |
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Pivot to
the left 90° into a left semi Zenkutsu Dachi and right Shotei
cover and turn the hips back to the original Kiba Dachi position
and strike left Chudan Yonhon Nukite. |
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Look to the
front and block right Chudan Kake Uke and strike left Chudan
Yonhon Nukite and right Chudan Yonhon Nukite. |
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Pivot to
the left 90° into a left semi Zenkutsu Dachi and right Shotei
cover. Retaining the hand position move through in a straight
line into a right semi Zenkutsu Dachi. |
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Move
through once again in a straight line into a left semi Zenkutsu
Dachi, strike left Chudan Yonhon Nukite turning the hips back to
the original Kiba Dachi position. |
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Pivot to
the right into a right semi Zenkutsu Dachi and left Shotei cover
and turn the hips back to the original Kiba Dachi position and
strike right Chudan Yonhon Nukite. |
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Look to the
front and block right Chudan Kake Uke and strike right Chudan
Yonhon Nukite and left Chudan Yonhon Nukite. |
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Still in
the same position with both hands open reach up to the right,
and moving into a stance similar to Zenkutsu Dachi
simultaneously execute a Tai Otoshi (throw) (the fists dosing
during the execution of the throw). |
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Leaving the
right hand in the original position raise the left fist in
preparation for a block and execute left Mae Gedan Barai and
punch right Gedan Gyaku Tsuki. |
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Retaining
the same position reach up to the left with the hands open and
execute the Tai Otoshi as you turn 180° to the right into a
stance similar to right Zenkutsu Dachi. |
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Block right
Mae Gedan Barai and punch left Gedan Gyaku Tsuki and KIAI
(when executing the Gyaku Tsuki the body should be positioned so
that the punching fist is slightly below the bent knee). |
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The Kata is
completed by moving the right foot back into Musubi Dachi and
the Mokuso position is retained until the command "Naore" when
the Fudo Dachi position is taken. |
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