Wankan

Wankan (王冠) (Japanese: "King's Crown" or "Emperor's Crown") (also called Okan) is an ancient kata practiced in many styles of Karate. Not much is known about the history of this kata. It originates from the Tomari-te school and in modern karate is practiced in Shorin-ryu, Shotokan, Genseiryu and Matsubayashi-ryu.

It is often considered an advanced kata, despite its brevity. Karate master Shoshin Nagamine considered wankan to be his favorite kata. A quote from his book describes the kata as "Being characterized by unitary sequences of attack and defense. Makite Uke (Winding Knife Hand Block) is introduced in this kata. (In Shorin-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu)

References

• Redmond, R. Kata: The Folk Dances of Shotokan, 2006 (http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata/)

• Nagamine Shoshin: The Esscence of Okinawan Karate-Do (Paperback)

External links

• Wankan kata diagram