shuto uke
tora guchi kushanku
soto shuto kushanku

Kushanku bunkai – ashi geri empi application

Another empi technique from Kushanku (Kanku) kata. Similar to basic Naihanchi application but here you add kick to shock your opponent. Also keep in mind that we use elbow strike also as escape from grab.

Kushanku tsuki bunkai as escape from diagonal hand grabbing

One more Kushanku bunkai. This is how we do it. :) Use tsuki for escape from diagonal grab. Dont use harai uke and your forearm, but rather execute tsuki and snap opponents elbow with your upper arm and shoulder. This is form of kage tsuki and bunkai is similar as in Naihanchi kata. This move is same against grabbing your sleeve, shoulder and double arm grab to your neck or lapel. And most important – use hikite.

How to practice Shuto in dojo without makiwara

This is how we practice shuto uchi in our dojo. We use woodboards as fokus pads. :) Usually folks practice shuto on boxing bag, but bag is too soft for shuto. Shuto is meant to break a bones and bones are not soft. We are using left overs from temashiwari for practice but any wood is good. Please dont practice on your doors because you will destroy it. :) If you try this go slow and dont push it – it is easy to get hurt.

Kushanku kata – Tora Guchi “Tiger’s jaw” bunkai

This movement can be seen in many martial arts movies because it looks mysterious, but dont be fooled it is very effective. You can find this technique in many karate katas and it is mentioned in Bubishi. Name Tora Guchi means “Tigers Jaws”. This is defence against hair grab or throat grab by grabbing simultaneously his throat and testicles and there is another variation of poking attacker eyes and grabbing testicles.

Kushanku kata – Shorin version video

Kata Kushanku is most advanced Shorin ryu kata. This kata is known as Kanku Dai in Shotokan. This is how we perform kata in Tsunami dojo. Version that we do is the oldest and is known as Chatan Yara Kushanku. Kushanku name is the name of Chinese envoy named Kushanku who showed fighting techniques to royal guards. This is mentioned in Oshima Hikki documents 1762.

Kushanku kata bunkai