Like most karate kata, Unshu's origins are likely traceable back to China, and in particular for this kata, White Crane martial arts (Sells, Unante; ISBN 0910704961). The most common of today's Unshu versions are often stated to be derived from Aragaki (Arakaki) Seisho who lived in Okinawa from the mid-1800s, to the early 1800s . Interestingly, beyond the Shotokan and Shito-ryu versions, there is radically different kata under the same name. This version is practiced by Okinawan practitioners and is always termed "Aragaki Unshu" rather than just "Unshu". The "Aragaki Unshu" version is significantly different and clearly not a direct map to the Shotokan or Shito-ryu versions. The history is unclear, but the Shotokan version is likely a derivative of the Shito-ryu version, in a similar manner to the heaian kata having been passed to Funakoshi by Mabuni (see Pinan article). Other than the early stage of the "Aragaki Unshu" kata having some similar 4 directional moves, a kake-uke maegericomponent and a crescent kick, little else relates to the Shotokan and Shito-ryu kata's sharing the same name (despite some suggesting it may have lead to the Shito-ryu version).
Above Kanji: The kanji for Unshu (original name) or Unsu (as termed in Shotokan post 1930). Sample provided by Shodo practitioner Mayuko Sumida of Nagoya Japan. A high resolution, non-copyright image can be downloaded here...
The kanji representing Unshu and Unsu, translate to "cloud hand". The kata is a Naha-te kata, as opposed to a Shuri-te kata. In Shotokan, non-Itosu/Shuri kata such as this Naha-te kata are rare. At least five common variants/derivatives are seen in the different styles today (with only minor variations across Shito-ryu, particularly relative to the kata embusen [core pattern]). It is regarded as one of the most advanced kata in Shotokan and Shito-ryu and would typically only be used in a belt test if one was going for a rank above sandan (3rd degree).
Click here to download the full length Unshu (Unsu) Video - $19....
Video includes Shotokan and 3 Shito-ryu versions of the kata with the above listed bunkai. Different versions of the shito-ryu kata are performed fast and slow at different angles and includes a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are referenced to an evidence-based approach related to street, emergency, police & UFC data/statistcs. Provided as revision tool for the Unshu seminars run in early 2015.
Shihan Jason Armstrong, 7th Dan, is the primary instructor in this video, Sensei Shawn Danaher demonstrates the Shotokan versions of the kata.
Photo 1: A photograph of Aragaki Seisho, regarded as the key source of this kata in Okinawa.
Unshu & Unsu Bunkai - a data/evidence based approach:
Given moves in kata have more than one bunkai (stated by a number of masters of karate in the early 1900s; reviewed in "Seienchin" ISBN 978-1-4092-3733-4, pages 11-13), a variety of Network instructors have been fine tuning kata bunkai selection by pulling from the traditional pool of karate techniques and overlapping that with at least the following:
An evidenced-based analysis (driven by data) allows one to create at least the following 4 categories of violence which may be relevant to karate-ka.
1. Male-on-male violence
2. Law enforcement (buncer/police) - which has different psychological considerations and physical relaities
3. Female domestic violence
4. Female violence derived related to a stranger attack
The aim is not to get away from classical karate, but given data is now available, to find the overlap of techniques which are both classical and practical based on statistics. The concept is represented in the below overlap diagram and is reviewed in detail in the book “Street Fighting Statistics & Medical Outcomes linked to Karate & Bunkai Selection”. That review process most importantly not only states what is the top 7-8 likely street events that lead to a medically relevant injury, but also which techniques do not. The "what is not practical" according to street data, surprisingly for many karate practitioners, includes a broad range of commonly used kansetsu waza so often displayed by karate-ka in bunkai.
Figure 1: A representation of the overlap zone of the pool of classical karate bunkai techniques with what street data and probabilities indicate actually occur. Taken from page 177 of “Street Fighting Statistics & Medical Outcomes linked to Karate & Bunkai Selection”.
Figure 2: Several of the Chinese text derived Bubishi images have overlap with classical Unshu bunkai. This re-enforces a link to the White Crane martial arts and Naha-te.
As three examples of some high level data on violence, the differing violence categories have different violence ratios. Therefore a rational exists for technique biases in classes and curriculum design based on the potential need:
1. non-intimate (stranger) based female assaults have a 1:1.5 grappling to strike ratio
2. intimate attackers (husband, date etc.) for female violence, the ratio of strike versus grappling events is 1:1
3. male 9:1 strike to grapple need for injury based outcomes
Furthermore, bunkai sequences should flow with each technique being consistently applicable to the defender's sex and violence category (outlined in further detail in the book). For example, one should not create bunkai sequences that begin with a female attack entry (e.g. a single handed wrist grab) and finish with a male oriented technique (e.g. a throw requiring some power). Commonly people mix sex/scenarios in the display of a single bunkai sequence.
With the above stated, the below bunkai list does not represent one of the four violence categories above (which we advocate for students in the dojo), but rather gives a bunkai set that is relevant to the top 7 techniques which produce medical outcomes in the street (see ISBN 9781471083969 for details) spanning all 4 of the the violence categories i.e. it gives an example of a generalist but street specific curriculum agenda. In summary, the below Unshu & Unsu bunkai list represents and evidenced-based apporach which includes:
Of the top 7 events in the street that lead to a medical injury (not listed in this article), each appear in Unshu's "preferred list" from the video the following number of times:
#1 (Most likely street injury event according to stats) – practised 3 times
#2 – practised 3 times
#3 – practised 4 times
#4 – 0 times
#5 – 0 times
#6 – practised 3 times
#7 – practised 1 time
Some Classical & Practical-Classical overlapping Bunkai for Unshu, or Unsu, covered in the video:
1st unique move:
2nd unique move (Ippon nukite de nekoashidachi [cat stance])
3rd Unique move:
4th Unique move:
5th Unique move:
6th Unique move:
7th Unique move:
8th Unique move:
9th Unique move:
10th Unique move:
11th Unique move:
11th, 12th and 13th composite moves not unique as covered in earlier parts of the kata.
Of course the above bunkai notes are listed as support/reminders for students that have participated in seminars and read the evidenced-based bunkai and street fighting textbook. However, even for those not familiar with an evidence and violence sub-category based approach, it should create some food for thought on how to go about the process.
Click here to download the full length Unshu (Unsu) Video - $19....
Video includes Shotokan and 3 Shito-ryu versions of the kata with the above listed bunkai. Different versions of the shito-ryu kata are performed fast and slow at different angles and includes a slow walk through of the pattern. Selected bunkai are referenced to an evidence-based approach related to street, emergency, police & UFC data/statistcs. Provided as revision tool for the Unshu seminars run in early 2015.
Shihan Jason Armstrong, 7th Dan, is the primary instructor in this video, Sensei Shawn Danaher demonstrates the Shotokan versions of the kata.