Posted by: chinto01
Ananku Kata - 05/20/05 11:30 AM
Hello all. It is great to see that there are still people interested in kata and application. I would like to know a little more about the kata Ananku. I have read some of the history behind it and it appears that this may be the only kata that Kyan Sensei developed. Bunkai suggestions/ applications, history, links to video would be greatly appreciated!
Chinto,
I'll do some research this weekend. But on the surface there are quite a few different Annaku kata from Okinawan origin. I teach a variation of one taught by Shimabuku Ezio.
There are some similarites and some differences between the different versions.
Is the one you're interested of the Kyan lineage from Matbubayshi Ryu or from the Seibukan or elsewhere?
The version I teach descended from Shimabuku E to Nash (Tx) to Carl Long (Pa). It includes both twisting and vertical striking (though in my Isshinryu program as I use it as a prparatory kata for Seisan kata, I only have my students use the vertical striking paradigm.
John Sells (Unante II) describes Ananku (alt. spellings Annanko, Annaku) defined as “Southern Light” as having descended from Kyan, and was taught after he returned from Taiwan in 1927. He describes 3 different versions and variations on them. On the whole I would consider the Ananku kata as one of the shorter Okinawan kata studies.
In my files I find ones from Matsubayshi-ryu, Okinawan Kempo, Dentokan, Shito-ryu Shukokai, each of with is different from the version I know, and each has differences from the other, greater or lesser differences. I also have a very old magazine version done by George Dillman too.
I was taught Annaku by Carl Long, in the Shimabuku Ezio lineage. The source being his student a Mr. Nash from Texas. But Carl also told me there were often two different Shorin systems being taught by Shimabuku Ezio, and I don’t know what the lineage of my version is.
I don’t think it is possible to generically describe these variations application potential. To do so realistically would require a specific defined version for analysis.
In my practice, teaching youth, I utilize Annaku as a development form preparing the students to study Seisan. But that does not imply this exercise is less complex, for part of it is preparation for their study of Chinto kata too, which will be years later.
Victor
To further bore all, here is an attempt to describe the Annaku I first learned (teaching it today I utilize only the Isshinryu fundamentals throughout the form)
Annaku as I studied it.
1. Rei and step open.
2. Look to the right, lean away to the left and right side block to the 45 degree corner.
3. Twist both feet to 45 degrees and left reverse punch as the right hand chambers.
4. Look to the left, lean away to the right and left side block to the 45 degree corner.
5. Twist both feet to 45 degrees and right reverse punch as the left hand chambers.
6. Turn head to the left, step into left cat stance with a left side block (now 90 degrees to the left of opening).
7. Facing the left side, Shift the left foot to the left into left front stance, double right then left punch, right front kick and left punch. (these punches are vertical punches)
8. Turn the head to the right, turn into right cat stance with a right side block (180 degrees to the rear)
9. Facing the right side, shift the right foot to the right into right front stance, double left then right punches, left front kick and then left punch (these are vertical strikes)
10. Turn head to the left, step into left cat stance with a left side block (a 90 degree turn from your pervious position, now facing the front).
11. Right foot forward, chamber the left and right lead hand vertical punch to the front.
12. Turn your face 45 degrees to the right.
13. Step behind your right front foot with your left, so your left foot is on the 45 degree to the right line)
14. Spin counter-clockwise with a horizontal right forearm strike into your left open hand (finishing on the right 45 degree angle)
15. Staying on that angle, the right foot steps forward I cat stance with a right side block.
16. Shift the right foot over into right front stance, remain looking down that angle, then left and right punch, left front kick and left punch (these are turning punches)
17. Turn you head 90 degrees to the left (this is looking down a 45 degree angle from the opening position.
18. Step into left cat stance with a left side block.
19. Shift the left foot over into left front stance, remain looking down that angle, then right and left punch, right front kick and left punch (these are turning punches)
20. Turn your head to the left, looking towards 6 o’clock.
21. Your right foot steps back and pivot on your left foot to the left, finishing in left back stance as you deliver a left low block.
22. Right foot steps forward (to the original 6 o’clock), you chamber your left hand and punch (twisting) with your right.
23. Kick back with your left foot and end in a right side cat stance as you face 6 o’clock, and you’ve completed a right side block.
24. Turn your hips to the right, sitting into your stance, then double jump front kick to 6 o’clock, landing in right front stance with a right front low block.
25. Kick back with your left foot and end in a right side cat stance as you face 6 o’clock, and you’ve completed a right side block
26. Turn your head to the left towards 12 o’clock.
27. Step back with your left (behind your right leg) into a right cat stance, and, turn your left open hand over and strike out with a right knife hand block.
28. Step back with your right (behind your left leg) into a left cat stance, and, turn your right open hand over and strike out with a left knife hand block.
29. Step back and Rei
I appologize for any mistakes I've committed writing this. It isn't too easy to describe a kata in words.
Chinto,
For your suggestion about Annaku application studies, here are two for you.
Kata section (from above)
6. Turn head to the left, step into left cat stance with a left side block (now 90 degrees to the left of opening).
7. Facing the left side, Shift the left foot to the left into left front stance, double right then left punch, right front kick and left punch. (these punches are vertical punches)
Application study 1 Interior line of defense - Against a right arm
1. Step out with the left cat stance/side block as a wedging block,
2. Immediately with no pause step over to left front stance opening their center and as you do it use a vertical knuckle strike into the tip of their shoulder.
3. Using the right hand chamber, slash that right hand across the side of their face as you chamber, and simultaneously strike into their ribs with your left hand.
4. (optional) If they're still standing the right front kick can still take out their lower legs to drop them to the floor.
This section is not done in pieces, but using the overkill principle is blocking and multiple striking/kicking to overload their defensive abilities till you can strike into them.
Application study 2 Exterior line of defense - Against a Left arm
1. Step out with the left cat stance/side block as a wedging block,
2. Immediately with no pause step over to left front stance moving their arm away from you and as you do it use a right vertical knuckle strike into the tip of their ribs, followed by a left vertical strike into their ribs.
3. forgo the kick, instead drop your 3rd right punch into the middle of their thigh, a very powerful dropping point taking their leg from them.
This represents a fraction how that technique can be used.
Of course after drilling on the movements against various attacks, then limited sparring, one person can throw anything and you have to elimiate their fighting ability with just the sequence in study, and then complete sparring , no restrictiosn on the attack, but each side must stop the wit the same techniques.
If the potential of mistake could break the partner, how the technique is applied in random sparring might be limited to not complete it fully, preserving your partners limbs and life. Always a nice idea.
Hope this is helpful,
Posted by: SaishuRyu
Re: Ananku Kata - 09/07/05 12:04 PM
There is a video of Doshu Mertz performing Ananku at
SaishuRyu.com if you are looking to see this kata in action. The Saishu Ryu way of doing this kata is a little different that the Goju way, it's more like the Shorin Ryu way, but it's still a great kata nonetheless.
Posted by: Kintama
Re: Ananku Kata - 09/07/05 02:08 PM
Goju does not have Ananku Kata. the link version looked like a kind of customized shotokan.
There's a good video clip and explanation of the kata Annanko performed slow and fast and with its bunkai at:
DownloadKarate.com The Sensei who performs it learned under Sotokawa Sensei who learned it from Mabuni Kenwa in Japan and is a 5th Dan with lived with a master in Japan.
Unfortunatley you can view just on its own, but their are alot of other kata that are great to watch!
Yours in budo!
Posted by: ASKA_Dragon
Re: Ananku Kata - 06/08/06 06:49 AM
I've always known Ananku to translate to 'The honorable An' for an ancient emperor in the old world. I'm a member of ASKA and I believe our rendeition is different than some of the ones described on this page. I love this kata though -- it's my first one that I learned!
Posted by: SaishuRyu
Re: Ananku Kata - 06/08/06 03:57 PM
There are a couple copies of Ananku posted on katamasters now. You might want to check there. I think Scot has posted up like 3 different versions. (and they are not all just him doing it)
Tomo
Posted by: steelwater
Re: Ananku Kata - 06/28/06 02:28 AM
We practice a version of Ananku, but being that I just began my journey in the martial arts not too long ago, I don't exactly know how to describe it as well as everyone else. I do know, however, that the above description is not the same we do (not saying that it's "wrong" or anything.) What I can tell you is that after the opening, the first move is to step out with your left leg into a 45 degree angle, slide your right leg up to your left leg and drop into cat stance while executing a shuto. Then you do the same on the right side. Yeah, I know I explained it weird, but hopefully someone will recognize it and be able to give me more information on it. If anyone knows anything about this rendition of Ananku, please respond here or PM me. I am very interested in this kata because it's quite different from the rest I've practiced so far.
Posted by: swseibukan
Re: Ananku Kata - 06/30/06 01:32 PM
Third move is to step to the left in a shiko dachi, with a chudan uke followed by a double punch. Then to the right in right shiko dachi right chudan uke with double punch.
If so you may be doing the same version that we practice in Seibukan. What system are you training in?
Pat
Posted by: steelwater
Re: Ananku Kata - 06/30/06 08:19 PM
Yes, that is the next set of moves with the exception that the chudan uke and double punch is done in zenkutsu dachi! What's the next set of moves for you?
Posted by: DharmaZero
Re: Ananku Kata - 07/12/06 01:22 PM
Steelwater that seems like our ananku kata as well what style do you take?
Posted by: steelwater
Re: Ananku Kata - 09/17/06 10:05 PM
DharmaZero, "American Karate". However, this isn't the American Karate a.k.a XMA. My instructor has trained with so many different people, he said he felt that it would be disrespect and improper to call what he taught anything other than "American", simply because we're in America.
Posted by: Zyranyth
Re: Ananku Kata - 09/29/06 06:58 AM
Wow, there really is ALOT of variation in ananku.
Posted by: Eriku
Re: Ananku Kata - 12/10/06 07:22 PM
Ouah I am french and my english is not good ! I have studied Ananku in Okinawa with Nakazato Joen Sensei the last studiant of Kyan Chotoku Sensei.
I have seen some video of Ananku Kata all are very far frome the really kata.
Only one is not far :
Quote:
Here are two more.
http://proxy.ee.kent.ac.uk/~cpb2//Dentokan/Shorin_Ryu/Anaku.mov
May be i will try to post ananku kata performed by Sato Sensei Kyu dan (9th Dan) of Okinawa Shorinji karate
Posted by: swseibukan
Re: Ananku Kata - 12/18/06 12:40 AM
Victor Sensei,
Somehow this thread got away from me. I think you know Dan Smith, have you ever seen the Seibukan version?
Posted by: KTskater
Re: Ananku Kata - 12/27/06 05:12 PM
I'm looking for the Shuri or Shorin ryu verson if possible.
Posted by: Quattro
Re: Ananku Kata - 01/05/08 03:48 PM
Here is Anaku being performed by kids with Fusei Kise son training them supposedly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85fTsidqwqoThis is almost identical to the version I was taught with a few minor differences.