Kanku-dai

[ps1]

What bunkai do you practice for the drop in kanku dai? I use it as a sprawl...I've just defended high and the opponent shoots to my legs...so I sprawl.

In his Best Karate series, Nakayama sensei uses it to duck under a bo.

What are your thoughts?

[Ashley]

I think most people can hardly imagine that. Is there any video that you can show us that drop?

[Fudoshin_Ryu]

We are mostly Uechi/Goju who dabble in other styles and bunkai it to our own mind frame. My sensei uses it as a sprawl as well, I however use it as a duck, not necessarily to a bo but perhaps to a jodan mawashi geri.

[ps1]

I think most people can hardly imagine that. Is there any video that you can show us that drop?

Anyone who knows the kata will know exactly what I mean. But here's a few videos to help out. The drop is about 55 seconds in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5f-aMNTFFg]

about 1:08, slightly different angle

again...around the 1:08 mark

[sensei8]

While there's no exacting science to Bunkai, imho, the interpretations of any said Kata are unique to both the style, as well as the individual.

Some of my favorite Bunkai in Kanku Dai at movements #42 and #43; the drop that ps1 eluded to in his OP...

At movement #42 the right knee comes up while the left open palm is at the right inner forearm moving forward.

At movement #43 one prostrates with the right leg at ones chest and the left leg straight back while both hands are forward in a supportive position.

Favorite #1:

At movement #42, I execute a simultaneously left upper sweeping block and upper reverse punch and a right knee strike to either the stomach or the solar-plexus.

Then continuing to #43, I execute Judo's Two Hand Reap in which is in preparation for movement #44, while still holding/trapping my opponents right foot against my left side, I use my left knee against my opponents right knee, and then I twist to my left.

Favorite #2:

At movement #42/#43, I drop to avoid a roundhouse kick.

At movement #44, I've allowed the roundhouse kick to pass me, I then stand up, which puts be behind my opponent, I then grab his lapel with both of my hands and throw my opponent backwards and to the ground.

Favorite #3:

Let's say that my opponent grabs one of my lapels with his left hand. I quickly grab his top-left wrist with my left hand and with my right hand I grab his underside left wrist, I simultaneously push upward and twist to his inside, once his hold on me is released, I then lift his left hand/arm upward while keeping my grip in such a way that my opponent is now on his tiptoes. This entire sequence represents the hands in movement #42.

Then I turn 180 degrees while maintaining my grip on his left wrist, and at the same time, I then continue to manipulate my opponent in such a way that I'm forcing my opponent to the ground with the help of my right knee, which is now pressing against my opponents left elbow. I continue to drive my opponent to a prostrate position, my right knee is now on top of my opponents elbow, I then let go of my opponents left wrist, and I'm keeping pressure on my opponents left arm by trapping the same against my body. It is then that I go forward onto both of my hands, thus breaking my opponents elbow and left wrist. This entire sequence represents movement #43.

Those are some of my favorite Bunkai in Kanku Dai; for movements #42 and #43, with some of #44.

[Jay]

You know I can't remember, however I do remember being taught sprawls and takedown defense, my karate instructor was big on takedown defense and also falling correctly when you get taken down.

From the top of my head I would also say a sprawl, long time since I did kanku dai can't remember all the moves but I know the you mean.

Its a shame I can't remember it all because it was my favourite kata, in gradings I always picked it.

[sensei8]

Jay,

I'm pretty sure that you could easily remember Kanku Dai once you get back onto that horse in no time whatsoever. I can also see why you use to choose Kanku Dai for your gradings; it's a dynamic kata, to say the least.

[sojobo]

I'd say train it for what it is.

An exercise in learning how to drop (after turning), kicking maybe, land and then get back up (whilst turning).

Doesn't need to be any more complicated than that.

Sojobo

[bushido_man96]

I can see the sprawl possibility. I also can kind of visualize what Bob is talking about with his 3rd explanation.

[ps1]

I'd say train it for what it is.

An exercise in learning how to drop (after turning), kicking maybe, land and then get back up (whilst turning).

Doesn't need to be any more complicated than that.

Sojobo

I like that. So you see it as more of an agility drill. Not a bad thing. Promotes coordination and kinesthetic awareness...plus it's simple. Would you say the same for the jumping turn at the end of empi?