Wanshū

Wanshu
Other names Empi/Enpi, Wangshu, Wang Shu, Yun Bi
Martial art Karate, Tang Soo Do
Place of origin Okinawa, Ryukyu Kingdom
Creator Wang Ji
Date of Creation Unknown

Wanshu is a name borne by several katas in many systems of karate, including Isshin-Ryu, Shotokan (under the name empi), Wadō-ryū, and others.

Wanshu is also the Okinawan-adapted name of Sappushi [Jp. 'diplomat'] 'Wang Ji' (1621-1689), the leader of a large ambassadorial mission from China sent by the Qing government to the village of Tomari, Okinawa in 1683. 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 Wanshu kata was either a creation of Wang Ji's, or composed by his students and named in tribute to him. Regardless, many karate traditions include a kata bearing the name of Wanshu or a variant (Ansu, Anshu) which vary in schematics but carry certain distinctive similarities. One translation of the word "Wanshu" 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 Matsumora-Wanshu and Itosu-Wanshu, Itosu most likely having learned it from his teacher, Gusukuma of Tomari. Wanshu, 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 of the organization is called Wangshu, Wang Shu, or Yun Bi in Korean. Due to its difficulty, this kata is often reserved for advanced students[1].

See also

References

  1. ^ 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. 

"MSISSHINRYU.COM: Open Hand Kata". http://www.msisshinryu.com/kata/printableempty.shtml. Retrieved July 25, 2005. 

"Tomari-Te: The Place of the Old To-De". http://www.msisshinryu.com/history/tomari-te/. Retrieved July 25, 2005. 

"The Originators of Karate-Do Kata". http://www.angelfire.com/sk/budokai/Katainfo.html. Retrieved July 25, 2005. 

"Gichin Funakoshi Performing Wanshu (Enpi)". http://www.nbkarateclub.it/gichin/e.html. Retrieved July 25, 2005. 

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