Category Archives: Bunkai

Demonstration Unsu

Unsu (雲手), literally “cloud hands”, is the most advanced kata found in the Shotokan, Shito-Ryu and karate styles and is generally taught to karateka at the 3rd to 4th Dan. It contains many intricate hand techniques, such as the ippon-nukite (one finger strike) in the opening sequence. Unsu also contains a 360-degree spinning double-kick with a double-leg take down at the same time, landing on the floor face-down before continuing.

Unsu was created by Seisho Arakaki sometime around 1860-1870. Arakaki was a Japanese and Chinese language interpreter to the Shuri court, and a master of monk fist and white crane styles. It is somewhat a condensation of other katas (e.g., Bassai, Kanku, Jion, Empi, Jitte and Gankaku), hence it is essential to have mastered these before practicing Unsu.

Bubishi 36 sensitive vital Points

Presented by Helumt Kogel, 6. Dan Shotokan Renshi, 5. Dan Kobudo, 2. Dan Jujutsu. 36 effective sensitive points are described in Bubishi, the “Bible of Karate”.

Results on these points cause different effects. The points correspond to acupuncture points of Chinese medicine. From Bubishi exist different handwritten copies, mainly from Okinawa.

Omote, Ura, Honto

Karate Bunkai: 3 Levels of Kata Application called Omote, Ura and Honto.

The true meaning of many kata have been lost in Okinawa history, but through understanding the principles of self-defense we can better use kata in a real fight. In this video you will learn 3 types of bunkai: Omote (suitable for beginners), Ura (intermediate) and Honto (the real application).

These concepts can be applied to all martial arts that have forms, including Taekwondo, Kung Fu and Tang Soo Do. Presented by sensei Jesse Enkamp.

Heian Yondan Bunkai 2

From video serie of Kuro-obi world by sensei Naka. He shows four sequences of bunkai out of the heian yonand (pinan yondan) kata with the actor Joey Tee. Very simple an direct application for real self defense use.

Tekki Shodan Demo

Sensei Emanuele Marcon with Sensei Enrico Pavan showing their interpretation of the kata Tekki Shodan. It shows clearly how different and flexible the possibilities can be of this kata, depending on the experiences of the participants.

Deep Dive into Naihanchi/Tekki fo Shorin Ryu Karate

Juji Uke

One Minute Bunkai: Juji uke (X block) has many bunkai (applications), this example shows a defense against a straight punch to the face. The evasion is a simple body shifting to the side (Tai Sabaki) and the actions of the hands are going directly into the trapping motion. There really is no blocking in this technique. The overhand strike into the arm must be done in perfect timing with the catching-trapping hand from below.

Continue reading Juji Uke

Bunkai Pinan Shodan Opening

Soke Yoshimi Inoue explains bunkai and oyo bunkai of the opening sequence  of the kata pinan shodan/heian nidan.  In the manner of “sen no sen” the sequence appears in new light.

Explanation

  • he first version as taught in most schools.
  • The second version is the better bunkai, attack and defense in one movement.

Bunkai Part of Heian Nidan

Sensei Naka from the  Shotokan Ryu shows his bunkai of the opening sequence in Heian Nidan (Pinan Nidan). Defending against a double attak with kizami and gyaku zuki. Fast and effective to watch.