Kata Unsu Evolution - Old School vs New School

Unsu (or Unshu in Okinawan) is one of three Shotokan kata that can be traced back to Seisho Aragaki. Indeed, Unsu possesses certain techniques characteristic of an "Aragaki kata" such as teisho-awase-zuki in sanchin-dachi, the tenchi (heaven and earth) position, and kensei (feinting). Translations of the term Unsu include "Cloud Hands," "Hands in the Clouds," and even "Parting the Clouds." The name of the kata implies that your hands are like clouds, ever changing and capable of discharging lethal force in the blink of an eye. Unsu is another kata thought to have been derived from an Okinawan folkdance, It has been said that the kata embodies a storm, with the kata's techniques symbolizing wind, lightning, tornadoes, etc.
Whatever the origin or philosophy behind the kata, Unsu is truly a magnificent and extremely advanced form, requiring great speed and agility, but above all, explosive power. Just as clouds perpetually change, Unsu undergoes many transitions, making it one of the most dynamic forms of Shotokan. Changes in timing are plentiful in this kata, and attacks are thrown to all three levels of the body: jodan, chudan, and gedan. Stances also vary from internal stances like neko-ashi-dachi and sanchin-dachi, to outer tension stances such as fudo-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi, and kiba-dachi. Interestingly enough, it is one of two kata (not counting Tekki) that doesn't include kokutsu-dachi. As one of Shotokan's most versatile kata,
Unsu offers many unprecedented techniques and concepts. At 48 movements, Unsu contains a treasure trove of advanced hand techniques including ippon-nukite, seiryuto, keito, haito, kensei, uke-zuki, and teisho. Unsu's leg techniques, however, are far more interesting. Kicks found in this kata are executed in an unconventional manner, contrary to normal training practices. The two mawashi-geri are the only mawashi-geri found in any Shotokan kata, and they are made while lying down! Since the karateka must literally fall down to perform these roundhouse kicks, the student must also have a basic understanding of breakfalling. The third mae-geri is actually a mae-kekomi, a front kick with a thrust instead of a snap, whereby the heel is used rather than the ball of the foot. Mae-kekomi is rarely if ever practiced in Shotokan, except in this kata. The mika-zuki-geri, although seen in several other kata, cannot be used to its full potential since it is performed completely in mid-air, with the ushiro-geri never really coming to fruition. During this movement, the focus is more on the jump than on the kicks. This 360 jump is Unsu's hallmark and it is also probably the single most difficult technique in all of Shotokan kata. The jump in Kanku Sho should be practiced diligently before any attempt is made to learn the Unsu jump. When done properly, the spinning jump is simply breathtaking, making Unsu a very popular tournament kata.
According to Masatoshi Nakayama, anyone who tries to master Unsu before first mastering the Heian kata, Kanku-Dai, Empi and Jion will look like “a scarecrow trying to dance".
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Beautiful Cinematic Music - Beyond
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Footage **
• Yahara Kata: Unsu
1982-84 JKA All Japan Championships
• Karate1 Tokyo 2019 - M...
Karate1 Tokyo 2019 - Male Kata BRONZE medal - Chikashi Hayashida vs. Kazumasa Moto

[@_Karate_World]

No one will ever replicate an "Unsu" kata like Yahara Sensei

[@elhajjzafeermuhammad1530]

He's that dude 👍🏿👍🏿

[@yohanesdavid8469]

Agree. Yahara is Unsu.

[@user-yh4zx4ky9j]

Sensei Yahara is still the best recorded unsu kata performance. Speed, power, and accuracy. No one is even close to that.

[@juanmanuelgranadosdavila4984]

Old school: kata as a structural element of learning the principles of karate. New school: kata as a super technical specialization of karate to compete.

[@PetrusNicolai]

Oh, you describet it very well! Most of people I see only disrespect the modern and sports karate, without really understanding it's purpouse, but you did very well.

[@gray6032]

Watch Ohta Sensei's old performance, he pauses longer and moves smoother. Closer to the modern version. This is not the old school, but the peculiarities of Yahara Sensei’s performance. Previously, Kata was performed more variedly, but now it is reduced to one standard

[@BelloBudo007]

I was hoping that you might go way back to some of the old B&W movies that many of us. old timers used to watch as the machine clattered away in our lounge room. I recall Nakayama Sensei's Unsu and the jump being, shall we say, somewhat 'quite different'. There's no question that some of today's kata people are amazing athletes.

[@wenceslaohernandez102]

Excellent video !! I wish you do more videos comparing katas at old school style and new school style. I hope to see kanku sho specifically. OSS!

[@mosconyt]

why does it look like yahara sensei's in a rush to finish his kata as soon as possible

[@DragonDreamVNY]

They didn't take as much time with the dramatic pauses back then. (Along with the big hand waves). More interested to live on the dynamic explosive movement or transition. Mr Unsu himself. WKF Kata can be a bit empty sometimes... But occasionally you see amazing practices from both trade and sport.

[@senseipedrolima]

Não se compara o Unsu de Yahara sensei, ele executa com sentimento, sentimento de um verdadeiro samurai.

[@josefraguas2768]

4:18...says it all.

[@scottfarquhar2535]

Both are excellent one doesn’t need to be the best! To do Unsu as good as Yahara and Moto Sensei’s is unachievable to most.

[@anthonydesardi270]

Yahara Sensei throws his kata to the wind, all out and nothing is held back! He does it as if his survival depends on it! This is what they call old school!! The other, new school is interested in winning the tournament and for entertainment!

[@AERR9]

I think they both did it to win a competition :)

[@yasine13amar34]

واحد ما يستطيع كلنا unsu إلا mikio yahara

[@zsolthorvath495]

This is the difference between bushi and artist.

[@combatsportsarchive7632]

To anyone who thinks the isolated methods within Kata won't work in a real fight, you are wrong. There are practical examples on the internet. Look around my channel and search videos which are called Kata Application in MMA.

[@mosconyt]

it's called bunkai

[@timandjacquinicklin9596]

Both these kata are new , the original Unsu ( cloud hands ) was a real kata without all the gymnastics . No jumps no rolling around on the floor . It was about trapping and throwing at close range . Although these are nice routines they are not reallly Karate kata however as I say more a gymnastic routine . Perge punk faciam hodie Tim

[@kentuckyrain1144]

high kicks like mawashi came to karate from French savate

[@canetraining]

Yahara Sensei is Mister Unsu. He is the Incarnation of the Spirit Beyond the Kata!!!

[@stuarthughes3747]

yahara .. legend ... otha senei is very credible to tho

[@user-hw6wn4ue8j]

Yahara is the best

[@DESIMONE66]

Quello di yahara era, ed è, Budo kata; quelli di oggi, soprattutto le esecuzioni del circuito coni, sono quasi tutti aerobic kata...

[@yasine13amar34]

بعيد غليه mikio yahara

[@Igor_S_P]

И враги, увидев это, в страхе разбежались....Победа!

[@blockmasterscott]

What’s the application of the 360 jump?

[@DragonDreamVNY]

Acrobatic performance and Judge flags. (Ok kidding) to symbolise isometric effort needed for throws or grapples. See more older traditional versions without the jump go for a Leg Pick/Shoulder single leg take down maneuver... Seen in Kanku Kata as well .

[@blockmasterscott]

@@DragonDreamVNY Ahhh ok that makes sense. Thanks for answering!

[@yasine13amar34]

الاحسن هو yahara

[@neo3373]

J'y vois plutôt une régression...!

[@mmkarate8090]

Mm karate ytb

[@user-iv1hk9ey3u]

가라테 소림권 류쿠 전래 전파 😊