UNSU

   Unsu (or Unshu in Okinawan) is one of three Shotokan kata that can be traced back to Seisho Aragaki. Indeed, Unsu possesses certain techniques characteristic of an "Aragaki kata" such as teisho-awase-zuki in sanchin-dachi, the tenchi (heaven and earth) position, and kensei (feinting). Translations of the term Unsu include "Cloud Hands," "Hands in the Clouds," and even "Parting the Clouds." The name of the kata implies that your hands are like clouds, ever changing and capable of discharging lethal force in the blink of an eye. Unsu is another kata thought to have been derived from an Okinawan folkdance, perhaps paying homage to the gods Fujin (god of the wind) and Raijen (god of thunder and lightning). It has been said that the kata embodies a storm, with the kata's techniques symbolizing wind, lightning, tornadoes, etc. Another school of thought suggests that Unsu originated from one of the Shaolin forms based on the techniques of the dragon (one of kung fu's five animals).
   Whatever the origin or philosophy behind the kata, Unsu is truly a magnificent and extremely advanced form, requiring great speed and agility, but above all, explosive power. Just as clouds perpetually change, Unsu undergoes many transitions, making it one of the most dynamic forms of Shotokan. Changes in timing are plentiful in this kata, and attacks are thrown to all three levels of the body: jodan, chudan, and gedan. Stances also vary from internal stances like neko-ashi-dachi and sanchin-dachi, to outer tension stances such as fudo-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi, and kiba-dachi. Interestingly enough, it is one of two kata (not counting Tekki) that doesn't include kokutsu-dachi.
   As one of Shotokan's most versatile kata, Unsu offers many unprecedented techniques and concepts. At 48 movements, Unsu contains a treasure trove of advanced hand techniques including ippon-nukite, seiryuto, keito, haito, kensei, uke-zuki, and teisho. Unsu's leg techniques, however, are far more interesting. Kicks found in this kata are executed in an unconventional manner, contrary to normal training practices. The two mawashi-geri are the only mawashi-geri found in any Shotokan kata, and they are made while lying down! Since the karateka must literally fall down to perform these roundhouse kicks, the student must also have a basic understanding of breakfalling. The third mae-geri is actually a mae-kekomi, a front kick with a thrust instead of a snap, whereby the heel is used rather than the ball of the foot. Mae-kekomi is rarely if ever practiced in Shotokan, except in this kata. The mika-zuki-geri, although seen in several other kata, cannot be used to its full potential since it is performed completely in mid-air, with the ushiro-geri never really coming to fruition. During this movement, the focus is more on the jump than on the kicks.  This 360 jump is Unsu's hallmark and it is also probably the single most difficult technique in all of Shotokan kata. The jump in Kanku Sho should be practiced diligently before any attempt is made to learn the Unsu jump. When done properly, the spinning jump is simply breathtaking, making Unsu a very popular tournament kata.



 
































#
Technique
Translation
Stance
Target
Notes
1
ryo-teisho-ago-mae
ryote-seiryuto
both palm heels front of chin
both hands ox-jaw
heisoku-dachi
--
slow speed
2
ryo-keito-hane-age-uke

both chicken-head rising block
neko-ashi-dachi
chudan

3
ippon-nukite

one-finger spear-hand
neko-ashi-dachi
gedan

4
ryo-keito-uke-no-mama

both hands chicken-head wrist block as is
neko-ashi-dachi
chudan
slow speed
5
ippon-nukite

one-finger spear-hand
neko-ashi-dachi
gedan

6
ryo-keito-uke-no-mama

both hands chicken-head wrist block as is
neko-ashi-dachi
chudan
slow speed
7
ippon-nukite

one-finger spear-hand
neko-ashi-dachi
gedan

8
tate-shuto-uke

vertical knife-hand block
fudo-dachi
chudan

9
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

10
tate-shuto-uke

vertical knife-hand block
fudo-dachi
chudan

11
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

12
tate-shuto-uke

vertical knife-hand block
fudo-dachi
chudan

13
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

14
tate-shuto-uke

vertical knife-hand block
fudo-dachi
chudan

15
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

16
mawashi-geri
(kawashi-geri)
roundhouse kick
(dodging kick)
--
chudan
naname-fuse
17
mawashi-geri
(kawashi-geri)
roundhouse kick
(dodging kick)
--
chudan
naname-fuse
18
ryo-seiryuto
(kaiun-no-te)
both hands ox-jaw
(open cloud hands)
kiba-dachi
--
slow speed
19
keito-kake-uke /
koho-teisho-uke
chicken-head hooking block/
rear palm-heel block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
gedan
kirikae-ashi
20
keito-kake-uke /
koho-teisho-uke
chicken-head hooking block/
rear palm-heel block
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan
gedan
kirikae-ashi
21
haito-soto-mawashi-uchi

outside ridge-hand strike
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

22
mae-geri

front kick
ashi-dachi
jodan

23
soto-uke

outside block
ashi-dachi
jodan

24
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

25
haito-soto-mawashi-uchi

outside ridge-hand strike
zenkutsu-dachi
jodan

26
mae-geri

front kick
ashi-dachi
jodan

27
soto-uke

outside block
ashi-dachi
jodan

28
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

29
ryoken-kakiwake-kamae

both fists wedge posture
heisoku-dachi
gedan
slow speed
30
kensei /
te-gedan-kamae
feint /
hand low posture
--
jodan
gedan
slow speed

31
tsuki (gedan-zuki)

punch (downward punch)
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

32
gedan-uke-zuki

downward block-punch
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

33
gedan-uke-zuki

downward block-punch
zenkutsu-dachi
gedan

34
tate-shuto-uke

vertical knife-hand block
fudo-dachi
chudan
slow speed
35
teisho-hasami-uchi

palm-heel scissors strike
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

36*
mae-kakato-kekomi /
ryosho-tsukamiyose
front heel thrust kick /
both palms grasping-pulling
ashi-dachi
gedan
--

37
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
--
chudan

38
tsuki

punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan

39
gedan-barai

down block
kiba-dachi
gedan

40
haito-uke

ridge-hand block
kiba-dachi
jodan
yori-ashi
41
shuto-gedan-barai

knife-hand down block
kiba-dachi
gedan

42
haito-uke

ridge-hand block
kiba-dachi
jodan
yori-ashi
43
gyaku-zuki
(sokumen-zuki)
reverse punch
(punch to side)
kiba-dachi
chudan

44
tate-shuto-uke &
mikazuki-tobi-geri /
ushiro-kekomi-tobi-geri
vertical knife-hand block &
crescent kick /
back thrust kick
fudo-dachi
--
--
chudan
chudan
--
shuto slow speed
kaiten-tobi
ude-tate-fuse
45
tekubi-makiotoshi-uke &
teisho-awase-zuki
wrist curling-falling block &
palm-heel combined punch
sanchin-dachi
chudan
jodan
gedan
teisho slow speed
46
tekubi-makiotoshi-uke &
teisho-awase-zuki
wrist curling-falling block &
palm-heel combined punch
sanchin-dachi
chudan
jodan
gedan
teisho slow speed
47
age-uke

rising block
fudo-dachi
jodan

48*
gyaku-zuki

reverse punch
zenkutsu-dachi
chudan