| Kusanku kata has traditionally been called the "night | | | | Revealed, claims this is a "hooking the front and |
| fighting kata." Recently however, this assumption has | | | | sweeping the back throw" from Chinese Wrestling. |
| been challenged by several prominent martial artists. | | | | While this interpretation of technique is intriguing and |
| They maintain that the "night fighting" designation is | | | | effective, this technique also allows one to disappear |
| basically a myth, perpetuated by misinterpretation of | | | | into the darkness while simultaneously locating |
| the name or techniques. There are several good | | | | opponents. |
| arguments to support this position, but it is obvious that | | | | Even on the darkest night, the sky is lighter than the |
| Kusanku kata does contain techniques well-adapted to | | | | ground. By dropping low to the ground, opponents are |
| fighting at night. While the inclusion of these techniques | | | | silhouetted against the sky. While some believe the |
| might be purely a coincidence, I believe it is doubtful the | | | | name "to view the sky" comes from the circular |
| kata is also coincidentally called the "night fighting kata." | | | | opening move, the name is more likely basic |
| I suspect that night fighting techniques were intentionally | | | | instructions for locating opponents at night. Isshin Ryu's |
| included in Kusanku kata. | | | | version of Kusanku kata contains six instances where |
| It should be noted that not all versions of Kusanku kata | | | | the karateka drops down low. Not only does this allow |
| are the same, especially with regards to night fighting | | | | one to locate opponents by viewing the sky, it also |
| techniques. Shotokan's version, called Kanku, contains | | | | effectively allows one to disappear into the darkness. |
| far fewer techniques for fighting at night than | | | | When Ninjutsu pioneer Stephen Hayes first started |
| Okinawan versions. On the other end of the spectrum | | | | training in Japan, he found it impossible to defend |
| is Isshin Ryu's version, which despite being even newer | | | | against opponents that seemed to be able to see in |
| than Kanku kata, contains far more night fighting | | | | the dark. Already an experienced martial artist, he |
| techniques than the original Okinawan versions. | | | | became frustrated by opponents he couldn't even see. |
| Perhaps, Isshin Ryu's founder Tatsuo Shimabuku | | | | Eventually, they told him the secret. By lowering his |
| expanded on the night fighting tradition of the original | | | | stance, he was able to see his opponents silhouetted |
| kata. Although this is pure speculation, it is rumored that | | | | against the night sky. It was that simple. |
| Shimabuku Sensei strongly believed in Kusanku's night | | | | The second most important technique for fighting at |
| fighting techniques. In addition, the tradition of the "night | | | | night found in Kusanku kata is using exaggerated |
| fighting kata" is quite strong in Isshin Ryu Karate. | | | | sweeping movements. This serves two purposes. First, |
| One thing is certain. The origin of Kusanku is foggy at | | | | it provides additional protection against strikes. Second, |
| best. Tradition states that Kusanku was an 18th | | | | it helps locate opponents by touch. Even if one can |
| century Chinese military envoy stationed in Okinawa | | | | see an opponent's silhouette, it might not be possible to |
| who taught martial arts to Tode Sakugawa. Some | | | | see their attack. Hand techniques are typically hidden |
| believe Kusanku taught the kata known as Kusanku, | | | | by the silhouette itself, while kicks are hidden by the |
| but most believe Sakugawa Sensei created the kata | | | | darkness of the ground. This makes standard blocking |
| and named it in honor of his teacher. Still others believe | | | | techniques almost useless. Standard blocks rely on |
| Kusanku was a culmination of several Chinese | | | | precision and timing to intercept the attack. This is |
| officers. | | | | impossible if the actual attack cannot be seen. The |
| As for the origin of Kusanku kata's night fighting | | | | solution is to modify the blocks to cover a greater |
| tradition, that is even harder to establish. According to | | | | area than normal. |
| historian and researcher Joe Swift, "no references to | | | | By watching the silhouette, it is possible to determine |
| night fighting are found in the primary references | | | | when the attack is coming. Twisting of the torso |
| coming out of Japan and Okinawa" which has led him | | | | indicates which hand is attacking and shifting of weight |
| to conclude that "such interpretations were contrived | | | | can telegraph movement or a kick. With practice, it is |
| to fit movements that are not very well understood." | | | | even possible to read the speed and target for many |
| His extensive research provides perhaps the best | | | | attacks from subtle movements of the silhouette. In |
| argument against the night fighting tradition. Still, there is | | | | fact, learning to read silhouettes in this manner is one |
| the fact that many of the techniques in Kusanku are | | | | of the best ways to develop the ability to read an |
| well-suited, if not specifically designed, for fighting at | | | | opponent's intention, regardless of lighting conditions. Still, |
| night. | | | | darkness is going to hide much information that is |
| Fighting at night might seem like a disadvantage, but it | | | | usually taken for granted when blocking. Exaggerating |
| usually is not. Unless one suffers from night blindness, | | | | the blocks provides protection against a wider variety |
| the only disadvantage would be knowing less about | | | | of attacks. |
| fighting at night than one's opponent. Obviously, | | | | A prominent feature of Kusanku kata is the extensive |
| difficulties presented by fighting at night impact | | | | use of the guard position. While advancing, the |
| everyone equally. Unfortunately, while the average | | | | karateka sweeps their hands from side to side. |
| person does not know how to fight at night, most | | | | Proponents of the night fighting tradition describe this |
| experienced criminals do. This knowledge gives | | | | as feeling in the dark for your opponent while listening |
| criminals a tremendous advantage over the average | | | | for sounds like footsteps and breathing. While this is |
| person. Luckily, the basics of night fighting are all | | | | not the ideal way to locate an opponent, unlike viewing |
| included in Kusanku kata. | | | | the sky, it can be used in complete darkness. |
| The most important technique for fighting at night is to | | | | The final night fighting technique, using sound to |
| view the sky. When Gichin Funakoshi created a new | | | | misdirect your opponent, is found only in Isshin Ryu's |
| name to describe Shotokan's version of Kusanku, he | | | | version of Kusanku. After assuming a low leaning |
| chose Kanku, which actually means "to view the sky." | | | | stance to locate an opponent, the karateka stomps |
| While Kanku kata might contain fewer night fighting | | | | the ground to misdirect the opponent. The opponent |
| techniques than Okinawan versions, its name actually | | | | assumes the karateka to be standing where the |
| describes the single most important night fighting | | | | sound originated, but the leaning stance keeps the |
| technique. | | | | karateka out of reach. This technique can work like |
| Kanku also includes the remnants of the most obvious | | | | throwing a rock to distract an opponent, but that isn't |
| night fighting technique, dropping to the ground after the | | | | the real intention. Ultimately, this technique is used to |
| crescent kick. Many consider this move, which vaguely | | | | precisely locate an opponent by dictating where they |
| looks like the stretched out starting position of a | | | | move. |
| sprinter, to be completely useless. Obviously such | | | | Kusanku contains many techniques that are essential |
| individuals have limited experience fighting at night. | | | | for fighting at night. While many have recently |
| Others consider it to be a sweeping technique, but it is | | | | dismissed the "night fighting kata" as pure myth, the |
| rarely performed in this manner. Javier Martinez, in his | | | | techniques themselves reveal the truth. |
| excellent book Isshinryu Kusanku Kata Secrets | | | | |