As A Shodan, You Will Be Introduced To Two New Kata: Kanku-dai And Kururunfa

  • Both have very different lineage’s and are therefore very different in appearance and performance.
  • Both are complex kata that will challenge you physically and mentally.
  • Both will ask you to develop greater self-mastery as they require you to move your body in different ways from kata previously learnt.
  • Both offer you an exciting challenge and adventure.

Achieving a Nidan (2nd dan) in Go-Kan-Ryu is a rare feat and requires more than just a continued training period after Shodan. Obtaining a Nidan should represent both an outstanding technical ability and greater understanding of the body. For this reason, it is very appropriate that two difficult kata are required to reach Nidan. These two kata are Kanku-dai (of shotokan lineage) and Kururunfa (of Goju lineage). Having said this, it is incorrect to think that Kanku-dai is just another Shotokan styled kata and that Kururunfa is just another of the Goju style. In fact it is incorrect to lock any kata into just one of two groups as each promotes a completely different set of fighting philosophies.

Kanku-dai is one of the most physically demanding kata, not only in the Go-Kan-Ryu system, but among any of the various karate styles. Encompassing long, well grounded stances, it focuses on moving between these with explosive speed using dynamic hand and foot techniques. It also requires agility, moving in between stances without pause and hosts a number of fast 180 degree turns.
Kanku-dai also introduces students to a new stance, Renoji datchi (L-stance). Starting in zenkutsu dachi, a student seizes control of an opponent’s leg and from this deep stance, is able to use their entire body to pull a heavier opponent off balance. The transition between zenkutsu dachi and Renoji dachi allows a student to quickly use two forces – pulling and lifting – simultaneously.
Apart from requiring a more flowing and precise transition between techniques, Kururunfa differs by way of its use of tai-sabaki (evasive movements) as many of its counter strikes involve side stepping an oncoming attack. It stands to reason this was the kata taught to teach a fighting methodology for facing a larger opponent. It is worth noting that kata Seiunchin (likely taught to Chojun Miyagi in China) also deals with fighting a larger opponent but with a completely different methodology.

Improving Your Kata: Training Tip

Looking at a kata as a whole is too much for your mind to establish a plan of attack. The trick is to break each kata down into bite sized chunks and give each ‘chunk’ (usually 2-4 moves at a time) your undivided attention for a period of time. Some of GKR’s best kata exponents may spend hours on each ‘chunk’ of moves at a time, dedicating 100% effort and energy to improving just that part of the kata. For example, spending ample time just on the first two counts of kururunfa (the side-to-side sequence) gives you quality time to focus on:

a) Following the exact path of the hands
b) Developing the fluency and timing of the hands
c) Developing the correct muscle tension in the core and arms
d) Following the exact path of the feet
e) Executing quality cat-stances with hips and feet on the correct angles
f) Ensuring the preparation for the side-kick follows the correct path
g) Executing a snappy side kick while the upper body remains perfectly still
h) Developing the correct ibuki (breathing)
Breaking each kata into a series of ‘chunks’ and working on these one at a time will make an enormous difference when you bring them together and perform the kata as a whole.