mudansha

We spent two classes perfecting the little parts of Kanku sho and I was having this exact issue with the second jump. My sensei broke it down and two things helped me greatly: First: Don't think of it as a jump. It is not like the first jump, or the jump in empi. In those katas, the center of rotation is vertical. In this particular jump, the center of rotation is your "core" and your core is not vertical, it is closer to horizontal. The farther you lean forward, the easier it is. Lean way forward, closer to horizontal than vertical. Second: Many people place the left hand too far UP. your arms and shoulder should not be in line. The left arm should be BACK, not just up.

I guess that depends on how you define "know". Our sensei says one knows a kata when he can perform the kata with confidence, precision and power. When he can perform all aspects of the kata including every uki position in the bunkai. If that is the criterion, then the only kata I know is Taekyoku Shodan. If we are speaking only the kata and not the bunkai and only confidence, precision and power, I feel fairly confident in: Taekyoku Shodan Taekyoku Nidan Taekyoku Sandan Taekyoku Yondan Taekyoku Godan Heian Shodan Heian Nidan Heian Sandan Heian Yondan Heian Godan Bassai Dai If what you mean is I know the moves...but am not up to par with technique, I know the moves to the following kata: Empi Tekki Shodan Nijushiho Kanku Sho