| Kanku Dai | 観空大 |

| Shotokan Karate Kata | Kanku Dai | 観空大 |

Performed by John Mantzaris

The rhythm shown in this kata is for educational purposes.

Having 65 movements, Kanku Dai is the longest of the Sentei kata, as well as one of the longest kata in the Shotokan syllabus. Kanku translates as "Looking at the Sky" or "Viewing the Sky," referring to the kata's opening sequence. The word Dai (big) is used to describe the kata's larger movements as compared to the kata's smaller version, Kanku Sho.

Kanku is one of three Shotokan kata that have two versions, Dai (big) and Sho (small). Originally, the kata was called Kushanku, named after a Chinese diplomat and kung fu expert. It is uncertain if this diplomat actually created the kata (or if he even existed), but many credit the kata to one of his alleged students, Santunuku Sakugawa.




Kanku Dai is basically an amalgamation of the Heian and Tekki kata. When practicing this kata, one will find many pieces of H2-H5, and even some T1. It is a very energetic kata involving jumping, dropping, and spinning techniques. It is said that this was Gichin Funakoshi's favorite kata. Although the kata tends to favor the use of shuto-uchi, Kanku Dai offers two unique combinations, ura-zuki & ude-tate-fuse and gedan-uke/furiage. The very difficult jumping nidan-geri is also first practiced in this kata. Kanku Dai has many high and low techniques, requiring a certain amount of flexibility. It is a highly dynamic kata that must be performed with grace in motion.

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