Misplaced Pages

Wanshū (ワンシュー, also 腕秀 and 汪輯) is the name of several katas in many systems of karate, including Isshin-Ryu, Shotokan (under the name empi), Wadō-ryū, and others.

The name Wanshū (腕秀) in Mandarin means "Excellent Wrist" and refers to a typical technique of this form. The other way of writing the name of this kata (汪輯) means "Wang's Series (or Form)" and refers to the name of the diplomat Wang (1621 – 1689),. Wang was the leader of a large ambassadorial mission from China sent by the Qing government in 1683 to the village of Tomari. A poet, calligrapher, diplomat, and martial artist in the Shaolin tradition of Fujian White Crane, he is often credited with teaching chu'an fa to the gentry of Tomari.

The Wanshū kata was either a creation of Wang's, or composed by his students and named in tribute to him. Regardless, many karate traditions include a kata bearing the name of Wanshū or a variant (Ansu, Anshu) which vary in schematics but carry certain distinctive similarities. One translation of the word "Wanshū" is "dumping form," "dragon boy dumping form" (in Shuri-ryū), and "Strong Arm Form" for the dramatic grab-and-throw technique seen in most versions. Also Shimabuku Tatsuo is credited for being the dragon boy (though Tatsuo means "dragon man").

The two main versions are Matsumura-Wanshū and Itosu-Wanshū, Itosu most likely having learned it from his teacher, Gusukuma of Tomari. Wanshū, while still bearing this name in certain karate styles, was renamed Empi by Gichin Funakoshi for use in Shotokan. This kata is also practiced in various Korean styles such as Tang Soo Do and Soo Bahk Do and depending on the organization is called Wangshū, Wang Shu, or Yun Bi in Korean. Due to its difficulty, this kata is often reserved for advanced students.

Footnotes

A. In the modern Japanese language Wang Ji is known as Ōshū (汪楫).

See also

• Karate kata

References

1. ^ "空手" [Karate]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 153301537. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
2. ^ 汪楫 (おうしゅう) [Ōshū]. Ryukyu Shimpō (in Japanese). Naha, Okinawa, Japan: Ryukyu Shinpo-sha. Mar 1, 2003. Retrieved Nov 8, 2012.
3. Pak, Ho Sik; Escher, Ursula (2005). Complete Tang Soo Do Manual Vol. 2: From 2nd Dan to 6th Dan. High Mountain Publishing. p. 297. ISBN 0-9718609-1-2.

External links

• "MSISSHINRYU.COM: Open Hand Kata". Retrieved July 25, 2005.
• "Tomari-Te: The Place of the Old To-De". Retrieved July 25, 2005.
• "Gichin Funakoshi Performing Wanshu (Enpi)". Retrieved July 25, 2005.

Further reading

• Funakoshi Gichin. Karate-do Kyohan: The Master Text.

v t e Karate
Comparison of styles List of terms
Origins	Japanese martial arts Okinawan martial arts Chinese martial arts
Styles	Ashihara Budokan Byakuren Chitō-ryū Enshin Gensei-ryū Gōjū-ryū Gosoku-ryu Isshin-ryū Kyokushin Motobu-ryū Ryūei-ryū Seidokaikan Shidōkan Shindo Jinen Ryu Shitō-ryū Shōrin-ryū Shōrei-ryū Shōrinjiryū Kenkōkan Shotokan Shūdōkan Shūkōkai Shuri-ryū Tōon-ryū Uechi-ryū Wadō-ryū Yoseikan Yoshukai
Techniques	Blocks Joint lock Kicks Punches Stances Strikes Throw
Training methods	Kihon Kata Bunkai Kumite Kobudō Makiwara Full contact
Culture	Dōjō Dōjō kun Karate gi Kyū Obi
Competition	Karate Combat Karate at the World Games Karate World Championships World University Karate Championships Asian Karate Championships Karate at the Asian Games European Karate Championships Karate at the Summer Olympics Karate World Championships Junior
Kata	Anaku Ananku Annan Chinte Chintō/Gankaku Enpi Fukyugata Gojūshiho Jion Hangetsu Kūsankū/Kanku-dai Naihanchi/Tekki Nijūshiho/Niseishi Passai/Bassai Pinan/Heian Rōhai/Meikyo Sanchin Seisan/Hangetsu Seiunchin Shisochin Sōchin Taikyoku Tensho Unsū Wankan Wanshū
The Karate Portal

This article related to Japanese martial arts is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

This karate-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

• Karate kata
• Martial arts stubs
• Japan culture stubs
• Karate stubs